Therapy Note Formats

SOAP Notes

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

Note Format Overview

A high-level overview of the SOAP note format.

The SOAP note format is a popular tool for therapists and other mental health professionals to organize session notes in a structured, thorough way. Each section in SOAP serves a distinct purpose, allowing therapists to capture all key aspects of the session, and creating a clear record that can help track client progress over time.

Subjective is where therapists document information directly shared by the client, such as thoughts, feelings, or concerns. This section captures the client’s perspective on their challenges, providing insights into their personal experiences and mindset.

Objective includes observable facts, like the client’s appearance, mood, or behavior. Here, therapists focus on what they can see or measure during the session, without interpretation.

Assessment is where the therapist interprets the information from the previous sections, analyzing client progress and any challenges they are facing. This section allows the therapist to provide clinical insight, making connections between the subjective and objective data.

Plan outlines the therapist’s recommendations, goals, and any next steps to address the client’s needs. This might include therapeutic interventions, assignments, or focus areas for future sessions, giving both therapist and client a clear roadmap forward.

SOAP Note Examples

A few examples of the SOAP format in action. But we have plenty more SOAP note examples too.

SOAP Note Template and Cheat Sheet

Quill can help you generate a SOAP Note in just a minute or two, organizing the information in the proper sections based off of a simple session summary from you, the therapist! But if you'd prefer to work off of a cheat sheet or template, here you go!

Frequently Asked Questions

A few common questions about SOAP notes (and their answers).

What does SOAP notes stand for?

SOAP notes stand for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, representing the four main sections therapists use to organize session notes.

What is a SOAP note format?

SOAP is a structured note format used in mental health and healthcare to document client sessions. It includes four sections that help therapists organize client-reported information, objective observations, clinical insights, and future plans.

What does the "S" in SOAP notes stand for?

The "S" in SOAP notes stands for Subjective. This section includes the client’s perspective, including thoughts, feelings, and any concerns they express during the session.

What does the "O" in SOAP notes stand for?

The "O" in SOAP notes stands for Objective. Here, the therapist documents observable information, like the client’s mood, behavior, or other measurable details seen in the session.

What does the "A" in SOAP notes stand for?

The "A" in SOAP notes stands for Assessment. This section covers the therapist’s interpretation of the subjective and objective information, giving clinical insights into the client’s progress or challenges.

What does the "P" in SOAP notes stand for?

The "P" in SOAP notes stands for Plan. This part of the note outlines the therapist’s recommendations, goals, or next steps to support the client’s treatment.

Do you have an example SOAP note?

Yes! Quill offers some sample SOAP notes that show what each section of a SOAP note should contain, based on a variety of scenarios. These examples provide helpful guidance, especially for those new to the SOAP format.

What other formats of therapy progress notes are there?

In addition to SOAP, there are several popular note formats, such as DAP (Data, Assessment, Plan), BIRP (Behavior, Intervention, Response, Plan), PIRP (Presenting Problem, Intervention, Response, Plan), and Quill’s own SIMPLE note format. All of these can be automatically generated by Quill!

How do I write SOAP notes faster?

Quill Therapy Notes can help by generating SOAP notes from a brief session summary. Quill’s AI structures each section quickly, letting you document essential details without spending extra time on formatting. You can mumble, you can be crunching on some potato chips, etc., and Quill will still generate a beautiful SOAP (or any other format) note for you, which you can then copy-and-paste into your EHR platform like Simple Practice, TherapyNotes.com, Jane App, etc.

Why do therapists use SOAP notes?

Therapists use SOAP notes because of their clear, organized format. SOAP helps ensure that key session details are covered, supporting consistent documentation, professional standards, and effective client care.

What is the main difference between SOAP notes and DAP notes?

The main difference is in structure. SOAP notes are divided into four sections: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, allowing more detailed documentation. DAP notes, in contrast, have three sections, focusing on Data, Assessment, and Plan.

What is the main difference between SOAP notes and BIRP notes?

SOAP notes and BIRP notes differ in focus. While SOAP covers Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, BIRP notes use Behavior, Intervention, Response, and Plan, emphasizing the client’s behavior and therapeutic interventions.

What is the main difference between SOAP notes and PIRP notes?

The PIRP format begins with Presenting Problem, while SOAP starts with Subjective. PIRP helps focus specifically on the client’s main issue, making it suitable for sessions centered around a specific concern.

What is the main difference between SOAP notes and SIMPLE notes?

SOAP notes are structured with four distinct sections: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. SIMPLE notes, unique to Quill, use a paragraph-based format without specific sections, offering a more flexible approach.


Send any other questions you might have to: hello@quilltherapynotes.com

Other Note Formats

These are all supported by Quill, letting you generate notes with AI!