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
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