Session note templates
Every format below is explained section by section with a filled-in example, the situations it fits, and the mistakes to avoid. All of them are built into AfterSession.
SOAP Note Template
Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan — the most widely used progress-note format in counseling and therapy.
Subjective · Objective · Assessment · Plan · Follow-Ups
DAP Note Template
A leaner alternative to SOAP that merges subjective and objective information into a single Data section.
Data · Assessment · Plan · Follow-Ups
BIRP Note Template
Built around what you did and how the client responded — ideal for documenting interventions.
Behavior · Intervention · Response · Plan · Follow-Ups
CBT Session Note Template
Tracks thoughts and beliefs, interventions, and homework — the three things that drive cognitive-behavioral work.
Client State · Thoughts & Beliefs · Interventions · Observations · Homework · Next Session
Coaching Session Notes Template
Goal-oriented notes for life, executive, and health coaches: what was discussed, what moved, what happens next.
Goals Discussed · Progress · Action Items · Accountability
Intake Session Note Template
A structured first-session note: presenting concerns, history, risk and protective factors, initial impressions, and a treatment plan.
Presenting Concerns · Relevant History · Risk & Protective Factors · Initial Impressions · Treatment Plan · Follow-Ups
Clinical Supervision Note Template
For supervisors and supervisees: case focus, clinical questions, guidance given, and next steps.
Case Focus · Clinical Questions · Supervisor Guidance · Next Steps · Follow-Ups
EMDR Session Note Template
Follows the structure of an EMDR reprocessing session: target and activation, processing, installation and body scan, closure and next target.
Target & Activation · Processing Notes · Installation & Body Scan · Closure & Next Target · Follow-Ups
Simple Session Note Template
Three sections and nothing else. For therapists and coaches who want structure without a formal clinical format.
Key Themes · Observations · Next Focus
Choosing between AfterSession and a full practice-management system? Read our honest comparisons with SimplePractice, TherapyNotes and Moments for Therapists.
Use the session note template on your iPhone
AfterSession has this template built in. Your notes stay on your device — no cloud, no account, no tracking. Free for up to 3 clients.
Download AfterSessioniPhone and iPad · iOS 26 or later