Psychiatry: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write SOAP Notes

Updated January 2026

SOAP notes are essential for effective patient care and documentation in psychiatry. This guide provides detailed instructions for each section of a SOAP note, helping you understand the structure and content required for thorough documentation in the psychiatry context. By mastering SOAP notes, you can enhance patient care, ensure effective communication among healthcare providers, and maintain accurate medical records.

For specific examples, see our list of 10 Common Psychiatry SOAP Note Examples.

Subjective Section (S)

In a psychiatry SOAP note, the Subjective section (S) captures the patient’s self-reported information about their mental health condition and symptoms. This section provides context for the psychiatrist to understand the patient’s perspective and experiences. Here are the specific things that should go into the Subjective section of a psychiatry SOAP note:

Subjective Section (S) Components

1. Chief Complaint:

   • The primary reason the patient is seeking psychiatric care.
   • Example: "I have been feeling extremely anxious and unable to sleep for the past month."

2. History of Present Illness:

   • Details about the onset, duration, and progression of the current mental health condition.
   • Example: "The anxiety started after a stressful event at work and has been worsening over the past few weeks."

3. Symptoms:

   • Description of the patient’s symptoms, including their intensity, frequency, and impact on daily life.
   • Example: "The patient reports feeling anxious most of the day, with frequent panic attacks and difficulty concentrating."

4. Psychiatric History:

   • Information on any previous psychiatric diagnoses, treatments, and hospitalizations.
   • Example: "The patient has a history of depression and was treated with antidepressants five years ago."

5. Medical History:

   • Relevant medical conditions, surgeries, or injuries that may impact the patient’s mental health.
   • Example: "The patient has a history of hypothyroidism, which is currently well-managed with medication."

6. Medications:

   • Current medications the patient is taking, including dosage and frequency.
   • Example: "The patient is currently taking levothyroxine 75mcg daily for hypothyroidism."

7. Substance Use:

   • Information on the patient’s use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances.
   • Example: "The patient reports occasional alcohol use and no use of illicit drugs."

8. Social History:

   • Information on the patient’s living situation, employment, relationships, and support system.
   • Example: "The patient lives alone, works as a software engineer, and has a supportive network of friends."

9. Patient Goals:

   • The patient’s goals and expectations from psychiatric treatment.
   • Example: "The patient hopes to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality."

10. Other Relevant Information:

    • Any other information provided by the patient that may be relevant to their treatment.
    • Example: "The patient reports increased anxiety when thinking about work deadlines."

Tips:

• Encourage the patient to share their experiences and feelings openly.
• Document the patient’s own words as much as possible.
• Be empathetic and non-judgmental in your approach.

Example of a Subjective Section for Psychiatry

Objective Section (O)

In a psychiatry SOAP note, the Objective section (O) captures measurable, observable, and factual data obtained during the patient’s examination. This section provides concrete evidence of the patient’s mental health condition and progress. Here are the specific things that should go into the Objective section of a psychiatry SOAP note:

Objective Section (O) Components

1. Mental Status Examination (MSE):

   • Document the patient’s appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought content, cognition, insight, and judgment.
   • Example: "The patient appears well-groomed, with normal speech and a cooperative attitude. Mood is anxious, affect is congruent. Thought process is logical, and thought content is free of delusions or hallucinations."

2. Vital Signs:

   • Record the patient’s vital signs if relevant to the session.
   • Example: "BP 120/80, HR 72, RR 16, Temp 98.6°F"

3. Physical Examination Findings:

   • Document any relevant physical examination findings.
   • Example: "No significant abnormalities noted on physical examination."

4. Behavioral Observations:

   • Note any specific behaviors observed during the session.
   • Example: "The patient fidgeted frequently and avoided eye contact when discussing work-related stress."

5. Diagnostic Tests:

   • Include results of any diagnostic tests relevant to the psychiatric evaluation, such as lab results or imaging reports.
   • Example: "Thyroid function tests within normal limits."

Tips:

• Be precise and factual in your documentation.
• Include only measurable and observable data.
• Use standardized scales and measurements where applicable.

Example of an Objective Section for Psychiatry

Assessment Section (A)

In a psychiatry SOAP note, the Assessment section (A) synthesizes the information gathered in the Subjective and Objective sections to provide a clinical judgment about the patient’s mental health condition. This section includes the psychiatrist's professional interpretation, diagnosis, and the patient’s progress and response to treatment. Here are the specific things that should go into the Assessment section of a psychiatry SOAP note:

Assessment Section (A) Components

1. Diagnosis:

   • Provide a clinical diagnosis based on the subjective and objective findings.
   • Example: "Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)."

2. Clinical Impression:

   • Include your clinical interpretation of the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "The patient’s symptoms are consistent with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, exacerbated by work-related stress."

3. Functional Limitations:

   • Document the impact of the patient’s condition on their daily activities and functional abilities.
   • Example: "The patient has significant difficulty concentrating at work and experiences frequent panic attacks."

4. Patient Progress:

   • Comment on the patient’s progress since the last visit, if applicable.
   • Example: "Since the last visit, the patient reports a slight improvement in sleep quality but continues to experience high levels of anxiety."

5. Prognosis:

   • Provide an outlook on the patient’s recovery based on their condition and response to treatment.
   • Example: "With appropriate treatment, the patient has a good prognosis for managing anxiety and improving overall functioning."

6. Goals:

   • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the patient’s treatment.
   • Example: "Short-term goal: Reduce anxiety levels to a manageable level within four weeks. Long-term goal: Improve sleep quality and concentration at work within three months."

Tips:

• Be clear and concise in your clinical judgment.
• Use evidence-based reasoning to support your diagnosis and clinical impression.
• Set realistic and measurable goals for the patient.

Example of an Assessment Section for Psychiatry

Plan Section (P)

Plan Section (P) Components

1. Treatment Plan:

   • Specific interventions that will be implemented to address the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "Initiate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address anxiety symptoms."

2. Medications:

   • Prescribe or adjust medications as needed, including dosage and frequency.
   • Example: "Prescribe sertraline 50mg daily for anxiety."

3. Therapeutic Interventions:

   • Include any therapeutic interventions such as psychotherapy, counseling, or group therapy.
   • Example: "Recommend weekly individual therapy sessions."

4. Patient Education:

   • Information and instructions provided to the patient to help them manage their condition and understand their treatment plan.
   • Example: "Educate the patient on relaxation techniques and the importance of sleep hygiene."

5. Lifestyle Modifications:

   • Recommendations for lifestyle changes that may benefit the patient’s mental health.
   • Example: "Encourage regular physical activity and a balanced diet."

6. Follow-Up:

   • The plan for subsequent visits, including the frequency and duration of follow-up appointments.
   • Example: "Schedule follow-up appointment in two weeks to assess response to medication and therapy."

Tips:

• Be specific and detailed in your treatment plan to ensure clarity and adherence.
• Tailor the plan to the individual needs and goals of the patient.
• Ensure that the patient understands their role in the treatment plan, especially for self-care and lifestyle modifications.

Example of a Plan Section for Psychiatry

This detailed information in the Plan section ensures that the patient receives a comprehensive and personalized treatment strategy, and helps track progress and outcomes effectively.

AI-Assisted Documentation for Psychiatry

AI scribes and ambient clinical intelligence are transforming psychiatric documentation, allowing clinicians to focus more on the therapeutic relationship. According to AMA surveys, 66% of physicians now use AI tools in their practice.

Benefits for Psychiatric Documentation

• Enhanced therapeutic presence: Less typing means more eye contact and rapport
• Accurate MSE capture: AI can document affect, speech patterns, and behavior observations
• Consistent structure: Ensures all required elements are captured
• Time savings: Reduces documentation time by up to 75%

Psychiatry-Specific AI Considerations

What AI captures well:

• Patient-reported symptoms and history
• Medication discussions and changes
• Treatment plan elements
• Scheduling and follow-up

What requires careful review:

• Mental Status Examination (MSE) - verify observations match your assessment
• Suicidal/homicidal ideation documentation - verify accuracy is critical
• Affect descriptions - ensure AI captured the nuance correctly
• Medication names and dosages - always verify

Special Considerations for Mental Health AI Documentation

42 CFR Part 2 Compliance: Per the 42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule (compliance deadline: February 16, 2026), substance use disorder documentation requires additional protections. Ensure your AI tool is configured for SUD compliance when applicable.

Patient Consent: Mental health patients should be explicitly informed about AI documentation and given the opportunity to decline.

For more details, see our complete AI-Assisted Documentation Guide.

Telehealth Psychiatry Documentation

Telehealth has become a standard modality for psychiatric care. Per CMS 2026 regulations, specific documentation requirements apply to mental health telehealth visits.

2026 Mental Health Telehealth Requirements

Per CMS Telehealth FAQ CY 2026:

1. In-Person Visit Requirements (effective after January 30, 2026):

   • New patients: In-person visit required within 6 months prior to first telehealth service
   • Established patients: At least one in-person visit every 12 months
   • Document the date of the qualifying in-person visit

2. Audio-Only Services (after January 31, 2026):

   • Audio-only permitted for behavioral health services
   • Provider must be capable of audio-video
   • Patient must be unable to use or decline video technology
   • Document reason for audio-only format

Telehealth-Specific MSE Documentation

For telepsychiatry visits, document:

Audio-Only Psychiatric Documentation

For telephone-only sessions (behavioral health):

For complete telehealth documentation guidance, see our Telehealth SOAP Notes Guide.

Free Psychiatry SOAP Note Template

Save time with our professional psychiatry SOAP note template. This template includes all essential elements for psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and mental health assessments.

More Template Resources

• Free SOAP Note Templates - Download templates for all specialties
• Mental Health Examples - See more psychiatric documentation examples
• SOAP Note Template Hub - Browse all available templates