Therapy Note Formats

Learn more about therapy note formats (like SOAP, DAP, and BIRP), along with requirements, examples, templates, and cheat sheets for each note format.

Overview

A high-level overview of therapy note formats.

Therapy note formats make it easier for therapists to keep session documentation clear and organized. Each format, like SOAP, DAP, BIRP, and PIRP, brings its own structure, so therapists can choose the approach that best suits their style and client needs.

Quill takes the guesswork out of documentation by generating any of these note formats with AI. Just provide a session summary, and Quill organizes it into the format you need. It also offers the SIMPLE format, which is a simple paragraph format that many therapists enjoy using.

Common Note Formats

Here are the most common note formats used by therapists and mental health professionals, along with corresponding cheat sheets, templates, and examples.

BIRP Notes

A behavior-focused therapy note format that emphasizes client actions, therapist interventions, responses, and the treatment plan.

More Details Examples Cheat Sheet Template

DAP Notes

A streamlined three-part note structure focused on capturing session data, assessment, and planned next steps.

More Details Examples Cheat Sheet Template

PIRP Notes

A therapy note approach that starts with the client’s main problem, followed by interventions, client responses, and planning.

More Details Examples Cheat Sheet Template

SIMPLE Notes

A unique, free-flowing paragraph note format exclusive to Quill, capturing the entire session narrative in one cohesive entry.

More Details Examples Cheat Sheet Template

SOAP Notes

A detailed, four-part note format that organizes client session information into subjective and objective observations, assessment, and a treatment plan.

More Details Examples Cheat Sheet Template

Frequent Asked Questions

Some frequently asked questions about therapy note formats.

What are therapy note formats?

Therapy note formats are structured frameworks that guide therapists in documenting client sessions. Formats like SOAP, DAP, BIRP, PIRP, and Quill’s SIMPLE format each offer a specific way to organize session details, helping therapists capture essential information in a clear and consistent way.

How does Quill use AI to create therapy notes?

Quill uses AI to generate therapy notes from a brief session summary you provide. The AI organizes notes into formats like SOAP, DAP, BIRP, PIRP, and Quill’s SIMPLE format, making documentation faster and more efficient.

And keep in mind that Quill does not record your client session. Privacy is a priority, and only a summary of the session (provided afterward by the therapist) is needed to generate an AI therapy note with Quill.

What note formats can Quill generate?

Quill supports multiple formats, including SOAP, DAP, BIRP, PIRP, and the proprietary SIMPLE format. Each format offers a unique structure, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs. (And if you need a different format, let us know! We will add it!)

How can Quill save me time on documentation?

With Quill, you simply provide a session summary, and the AI generates a fully structured note within seconds. This eliminates manual formatting, so you can complete documentation quickly and focus on client care. Truly, you just ramble a summary, not caring about structure, order, etc., and Quill will rearrange those details into the format of your choosing.

Can Quill’s AI-generated notes be added to Electronic Health Records (EHRs)?

Absolutely. Quill’s AI-generated notes are formatted to be easily integrated into Electronic Health Records (EHRs). After you generate a note with Quill, simply copy-and-paste that note into your EHR. There's even a "Copy Note" button, if you needed it to be even easier.

Is using Quill secure for therapy notes?

Yes, Quill prioritizes client privacy by only using your session summary to create notes and never recording client sessions. Quill also does not store your session summary, nor does it store the resulting progress note. This ensures that your documentation remains secure and confidential. Quill literally does not have any record of it, only your EHR will.

Why do therapists use different note formats?

Therapists use different note formats to suit their practice style, client needs, EHR/practice/insurance requirements, and the focus of each session. SOAP, for instance, is more detailed and widely used, while SIMPLE offers a flexible, narrative approach to documentation.

Which format is best for quick and simple notes?

The SIMPLE format, exclusive to Quill, is ideal for quick and straightforward documentation. It uses a single-paragraph format to capture the session’s main points without rigid sections, making it easy to complete notes while still covering all essential details.

Can I customize Quill’s AI-generated notes to fit my style?

Yes, Quill’s AI-generated notes are flexible and can be tailored to your preferred format, whether that’s SOAP, DAP, BIRP, PIRP, or SIMPLE. This customization helps your notes feel natural to your practice while keeping them consistent and complete.

Does Quill require templates or cheat sheets for each note format?

No, Quill’s AI eliminates the need for templates or cheat sheets. By creating a well-organized note from your session summary, Quill saves you the effort of setting up templates for each format. Of course, we also understand that some therapists might still want to reference a template or cheat sheet, so we do provide those on the Quill website too.