SOAP Note Template (Therapy/Counseling)
Published: 10/22/2025
About this template:
This therapy SOAP note template helps mental health professionals document counseling sessions efficiently. It provides structure for recording client presentations, therapeutic techniques used, session observations, and treatment progress. The template facilitates clear documentation of goals, interventions, and outcomes while maintaining focus on the therapeutic relationship and client growth.
Preview template
Subjective: 28-year-old female presents for her 8th therapy session. Reports increased work-related stress due to upcoming project deadline. Notes she utilized relaxation techniques discussed in previous sessions when feeling overwhelmed. Identifies pattern of self-critical thoughts when faced with challenges. Relationship with partner remains stable. Sleep has been disrupted over the past week due to work stress.
Objective: Client arrived on time, appeared slightly anxious with pressured speech early in session. Affect became more regulated as session progressed. Demonstrates increased self-awareness regarding cognitive distortions. Engaged appropriately with therapeutic interventions. Expressed willingness to practice coping strategies between sessions.
Assessment and Plan:
- Adjustment disorder with anxiety, showing progress in developing coping mechanisms
- Continued cognitive restructuring to address self-critical thoughts and perfectionism
- Introduced progressive muscle relaxation technique to address sleep disruption
- Homework assigned: Daily thought record to identify and challenge negative automatic thoughts
Client Education:
- Practiced progressive muscle relaxation during session, client reported feeling more relaxed
- Discussed relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors using CBT model
- Reinforced importance of self-compassion and realistic self-expectations
Client verbalizes understanding of concepts discussed and agrees to practice techniques. Next session scheduled in one week.
