Clinical Template

GIRP Note Template and Examples

Last updated: October 6, 2026

Reviewed by the WellNotes Clinical Team

Type or dictate brief session observations. Get a complete, goal-linked GIRP note showing progress toward treatment objectives in under 2 minutes.

What is a GIRP Note template?

A GIRP note is a goal-oriented progress note with four sections: Goal (the treatment plan goal worked on this session), Intervention (what you did), Response (how the client responded, ideally with data) and Plan (next steps). Starting from the goal keeps every note tied to the treatment plan, which is why counselors and ABA providers use it.

GIRP Note Examples

3 filled examples for different sessions, written in the structure described below.

All examples are fictional and de-identified. They show structure and level of detail, not clinical advice for a real client.

GIRP Note Example 1: Anger management (adult)

Adult client working on a treatment plan goal to reduce angry outbursts.

Goal: Target treatment plan Goal #2: Client will identify and utilize 3 healthy coping strategies for managing anger episodes, reducing outbursts from 5x/week to 1x/week within 90 days. Current baseline: 3 outbursts per week (down from 5 at intake).
Intervention: Reviewed client's anger log from the past week, identified 2 outbursts and 4 instances of successful coping. Applied CBT anger management protocol: examined trigger-thought-emotion-behavior chain for each outburst. Practiced STOP technique (Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed) through role-play of workplace conflict scenario. Introduced progressive muscle relaxation as additional coping tool.
Response: Client demonstrated strong engagement with the STOP technique during role-play, successfully de-escalating simulated conflict in 2 of 3 scenarios. Was able to identify cognitive distortions ("they're doing this on purpose") contributing to anger escalation. Required prompting to apply PMR but reported noticeable tension reduction after practice. Expressed motivation to add STOP technique to existing coping repertoire.
Plan: 1. Continue weekly sessions targeting anger management goal. 2. Client to practice STOP technique daily and log outcomes. 3. Continue anger diary: track triggers, intensity (1-10), and coping strategy used. 4. Introduce assertive communication skills next session. 5. Reassess goal progress at 60-day treatment plan review. Next session: 1 week.

GIRP Note Example 2: ABA session (RBT direct therapy)

RBT session note for a 5-year-old client, 2-hour home session under BCBA supervision.

Goal: Skill acquisition goal 1: Client will independently mand for preferred items using 2-word phrases in 80% of opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions (current: 55%). Behavior reduction goal: reduce tantrums (crying and dropping to the floor, over 30 seconds) to 2 or fewer per session.
Intervention: Conducted natural environment teaching during play with mand opportunities contrived using preferred toys out of reach. Used a 3-second time delay and echoic prompt, fading to independent. Followed the behavior intervention plan for tantrums: offered a choice board before transitions and provided praise for calm transitions.
Response: Independent 2-word mands in 13 of 20 opportunities (65%), up from 55% last session. 2 tantrums, both at the transition away from the tablet, lasting about 1 and 2 minutes. Client used the choice board at 3 of 5 transitions.
Plan: Continue current mand program and prompt fading. Add a 2-minute warning timer before tablet transitions. Session data shared with supervising BCBA for review at the next supervision visit. Next session as scheduled.

GIRP Note Example 3: Depression (activity goal)

Adult client in outpatient counseling, reviewing a behavioral activation goal.

Goal: Goal 1, objective 1b: Client will complete at least 4 planned pleasant or mastery activities per week for 4 consecutive weeks (current: 2 per week).
Intervention: Reviewed the activity log and mood ratings. Used guided discovery to examine what got in the way of planned activities. Problem-solved barriers (low energy in the evening) and rescheduled two activities to mornings.
Response: Client completed 3 activities this week, rating mood 2 points higher after each. Identified evening fatigue as the main barrier and agreed morning scheduling was realistic. PHQ-9: 12 (previous: 15). Denied SI.
Plan: Continue weekly sessions. Client to schedule 4 activities, 2 in the morning. Review progress on objective 1b next week and repeat PHQ-9 in 2 weeks.

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What are GIRP Notes?

GIRP notes are a goal-oriented clinical documentation format that explicitly ties each session to the client's treatment goals. The acronym stands for Goal, Intervention, Response, and Plan: a structure that keeps therapy focused on outcomes and measurable progress.

The GIRP format is especially popular among BCBAs, rehabilitation counselors, and counselors who work within structured treatment frameworks. By starting each note with the treatment goal being addressed, GIRP documentation creates a clear throughline from treatment planning to session-level work. This makes it easy to demonstrate medical necessity and treatment progress to insurance reviewers.

GIRP notes are commonly used in managed care and are particularly well-suited for settings where goal-tracking and outcome measurement are priorities. Whether you work in ABA therapy, vocational rehabilitation, or community mental health, the GIRP format keeps your documentation aligned with treatment objectives.

GIRP Note Template Structure

Use these 4 headings, in this order, for every girp note. Each card explains what belongs in the section.

Goal

The specific treatment goal addressed during the session, stated in measurable terms, directly tied to the client's treatment plan.

Intervention

The clinical techniques and strategies the therapist used during the session to work toward the identified goal.

Response

How the client responded to the interventions: observable behavioral changes, engagement level, and progress toward the goal.

Plan

Next steps for treatment: adjustments to approach, homework, session frequency changes, and goals to target in future sessions.

How to Write a GIRP Note

Goal. Quote or paraphrase the treatment plan goal or objective you worked on, with the current baseline if you track one.
Intervention. Describe the techniques and procedures you used to address that specific goal.
Response. Record observable outcomes and data: percentages, frequencies, ratings or skill demonstrations, compared with the last session when possible.
Plan. State next steps for the goal: continue, modify or advance the intervention, homework, and when the goal will be reviewed.

Want a structured first draft to compare with your own? Try the free GIRP note generator with brief, de-identified session details.

Common GIRP Note Mistakes

Writing a goal that does not match the current treatment plan wording.
A Response section with no data when the goal is measurable.
Addressing several goals in one note without separating the intervention and response for each.
Never updating the baseline, so progress is hard to see across notes.

How It Works

Three steps to a finished girp note

Describe the Session

Type a few sentences about what happened, or dictate with your voice. No special formatting needed.

WellNotes Structures Your Note

Your observations are organized into proper Goal, Intervention, Response, and Plan sections using clinical language.

Review, Edit, and Sign

Read through the note, make any edits, then export as PDF or copy to your EHR. Done.

Documentation Before & After WellNotes

Before WellNotes

You finished a great session where real progress happened. Now you need to connect it back to the treatment plan, document what you did, and describe the client's response. 20 minutes later, you're still formatting.

After WellNotes

Session ends. You type a few sentences. A complete GIRP note appears: goal linked, interventions documented, response captured, ready to sign.

From 20+ minutes to under 2

Who Uses GIRP Notes?

CounselorsBCBAsRehabilitation CounselorsSocial Workers

GIRP Note FAQ

What is an example of a GIRP note?

A short GIRP example: Goal, client will complete four planned activities a week (current: two); Intervention, reviewed activity log and problem-solved barriers; Response, completed three activities and mood improved after each; Plan, schedule four activities next week, two in the morning. More complete examples, including an ABA session, are shown above.

What is a GIRP note?

A GIRP note is a goal-oriented clinical documentation format that stands for Goal, Intervention, Response, and Plan. Each note begins with the specific treatment goal being addressed, followed by the interventions used, how the client responded, and the plan going forward. GIRP notes keep documentation directly tied to measurable treatment objectives.

What is the difference between GIRP and BIRP notes?

GIRP notes lead with the treatment goal being addressed, while BIRP notes lead with the client's observable behavior. GIRP is preferred when you want every session note explicitly linked to a treatment plan objective. BIRP is better when the focus is on documenting the behavior-intervention-response cycle. Both formats are widely accepted by insurance companies.

Who uses GIRP notes?

GIRP notes are commonly used by counselors, BCBAs, rehabilitation counselors, and social workers, especially in settings where goal tracking and outcome measurement are priorities. They are popular in ABA therapy, vocational rehabilitation, and structured treatment programs where every session must demonstrate progress toward specific objectives.

Are GIRP notes accepted by insurance?

Yes. GIRP notes are widely accepted by insurance companies and managed care organizations. The format makes it straightforward to demonstrate medical necessity because each note explicitly connects a session to a measurable treatment goal, documents the intervention used, and records the client's response.

How do I write a good GIRP note?

Start with a measurable goal from the treatment plan, describe the specific interventions you used to address it, document observable client responses, and outline the next steps. With WellNotes, you type or dictate a brief summary and get a properly structured GIRP note in under 2 minutes.

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