Therapy Note Templates
Last updated: October 2, 2026
These therapy note templates cover the 15 formats clinicians use most: progress note formats such as SOAP, DAP and BIRP, intake and treatment planning documents, and specialty notes for groups, couples, families, substance use and supervision. Each template page shows the section structure, several filled examples, how to write it and common mistakes.
Progress note templates
Session-by-session formats for documenting what happened, what you did and what comes next.
- SOAP note templateSubjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan. The most widely used progress note format.
- DAP note templateData, Assessment, Plan. A shorter format popular in counseling and talk therapy.
- BIRP note templateBehavior, Intervention, Response, Plan. Links each intervention to an observed response.
- GIRP note templateGoal, Intervention, Response, Plan. Starts every note from a treatment plan goal.
- SIRP note templateSituation, Intervention, Response, Plan. Built for crisis and walk-in sessions.
- PIE note templateProblem, Intervention, Evaluation. Problem-focused notes for case management and social work.
Assessment and planning templates
Documents for the start of care, ongoing planning and safety.
- Intake Assessment templateFirst-session assessment: presenting problem, history, mental status, diagnosis and recommendations.
- Treatment Plan templateGoals, measurable objectives, interventions and how progress will be measured.
- Risk Assessment templateRisk and protective factors, current status, safety plan and risk formulation.
Specialty and setting templates
Formats adapted to who is in the room or the kind of service you provide.
- Group Therapy note templateGroup process plus each member's individual participation and plan.
- Couples Therapy note templateBoth partners' concerns, relationship dynamics and shared goals.
- Family Therapy note templateFamily system, interaction patterns and family-level interventions.
- Child & Family Therapy note templateChild sessions with caregiver involvement, including play-based work.
- Addiction Counseling note templateSubstance use status, cravings, recovery interventions and level of care.
- Clinical Supervision note templateSupervision hours, cases reviewed, supervisee development and follow-up.
Which note format should I use?
Start with what your employer, payer or licensing board requires. If nothing is specified, choose the format that matches how your sessions run, and use it consistently so your notes are easy to review.
Progress note formats differ mainly in how they organize the same information. SOAP separates what the client reports from what you observe. DAP combines them. BIRP, GIRP and SIRP organize the note around behaviors, goals or a presenting situation, and PIE is organized around individual problems.
- Working with other providers who read the same chart, or in a medical setting: SOAP note template.
- Individual talk therapy or counseling where you want a shorter note: DAP note template.
- Community mental health or substance use programs that track interventions and outcomes: BIRP note template.
- Goal-driven work, including ABA and rehabilitation counseling: GIRP note template.
- Crisis or walk-in sessions: SIRP note template.
- Case management and social work organized by problem: PIE note template.
Still unsure? Take the note format quiz or read SOAP vs DAP notes: key differences.
More documentation resources
- Therapy progress notes examplesExample progress notes and what every progress note should include.
- Printable SOAP note template (PDF)A blank SOAP form with guided prompts to print or save as a PDF.
- Free note generatorsDraft one SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP or ABA session note a day from de-identified details.
- Note format quizAnswer four questions to get a format recommendation.
- Clinical documentation blogGuides on writing notes, comparing formats and choosing software.