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

Updated January 2026

SOAP notes are essential for effective patient care and documentation in psychotherapy. 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 psychotherapy 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 Psychotherapy SOAP Note Examples.

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Subjective Section (S)

In a psychotherapy SOAP note, the Subjective section (S) captures the patient’s self-reported information about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This section provides context for the therapist to understand the patient’s perspective and emotional state. Here are the specific things that should go into the Subjective section of a psychotherapy SOAP note:

Subjective Section (S) Components

1. Chief Complaint:

   • The primary reason the patient is seeking therapy.
   • Example: "I feel overwhelmed and anxious all the time."

2. History of Present Illness:

   • Details about the onset, duration, and progression of the current emotional or psychological issues.
   • Example: "The anxiety started about six months ago after a major life change."

3. Mood and Affect:

   • Description of the patient’s mood and affect as reported by the patient.
   • Example: "The patient reports feeling sad and hopeless most days."

4. Stressors:

   • Identification of any recent or ongoing stressors contributing to the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "The patient is experiencing significant stress at work and in personal relationships."

5. Coping Mechanisms:

   • Information on how the patient is currently coping with their issues.
   • Example: "The patient reports using alcohol to cope with stress."

6. Symptoms:

   • Detailed description of the patient’s symptoms, including intensity, frequency, and duration.
   • Example: "The patient experiences panic attacks three times a week, lasting about 20 minutes each."

7. Impact on Daily Life:

   • How the patient’s condition is affecting their daily functioning and quality of life.
   • Example: "The patient has difficulty concentrating at work and has withdrawn from social activities."

8. Previous Treatments and Outcomes:

   • Information on any previous therapy or treatments the patient has received and their effectiveness.
   • Example: "The patient previously attended therapy sessions but did not find them helpful."

9. Patient Goals:

   • The patient’s goals and expectations from therapy.
   • Example: "The patient hopes to reduce anxiety and improve coping skills."

10. Other Relevant Information:

    • Any other information provided by the patient that may be relevant to their treatment.
    • Example: "The patient reports a family history of depression."

Tips:

• Use the patient’s own words as much as possible.
• Be empathetic and non-judgmental in your documentation.
• Include all relevant details to provide a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s perspective.

Example of a Subjective Section for Psychotherapy

Objective Section (O)

In a psychotherapy SOAP note, the Objective section (O) captures observable and measurable data obtained during the therapy session. This section provides concrete evidence of the patient’s condition and behavior. Here are the specific things that should go into the Objective section of a psychotherapy SOAP note:

Objective Section (O) Components

1. Appearance:

   • Description of the patient’s physical appearance, including grooming and attire.
   • Example: "The patient appeared well-groomed and appropriately dressed."

2. Behavior:

   • Observable behaviors and actions during the session.
   • Example: "The patient was fidgety and had difficulty maintaining eye contact."

3. Speech:

   • Characteristics of the patient’s speech, such as rate, volume, and coherence.
   • Example: "The patient’s speech was rapid and pressured."

4. Mood and Affect:

   • Therapist's observation of the patient’s mood and affect.
   • Example: "The patient’s affect was flat, and mood appeared depressed."

5. Thought Process:

   • Description of the patient’s thought process, including coherence and organization.
   • Example: "The patient’s thought process was logical and goal-directed."

6. Cognitive Functioning:

   • Assessment of the patient’s cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, and orientation.
   • Example: "The patient was oriented to person, place, and time."

7. Interpersonal Interactions:

   • Observations of how the patient interacts with the therapist and others.
   • Example: "The patient was cooperative but seemed guarded."

8. Other Observations:

   • Any other relevant observations made during the session.
   • Example: "The patient exhibited signs of agitation when discussing work-related stress."

Tips:

• Be objective and factual in your documentation.
• Include only observable and measurable data.
• Avoid making assumptions or interpretations in this section.

Example of an Objective Section for Psychotherapy

Assessment Section (A)

In a psychotherapy 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 condition. This section includes the therapist'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 psychotherapy 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, characterized by excessive worry and panic attacks."

3. Functional Limitations:

   • Document the impact of the patient’s condition on their daily activities and functional abilities.
   • Example: "The patient’s anxiety significantly impairs their ability to concentrate at work and engage in social activities."

4. Patient Progress:

   • Comment on the patient’s progress since the last visit, if applicable.
   • Example: "The patient reports a slight reduction in anxiety levels since starting therapy."

5. Prognosis:

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

6. Goals:

   • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the patient’s treatment.
   • Example: "Short-term goal: Reduce the frequency of panic attacks to once a week within one month. Long-term goal: Improve overall coping skills and reduce anxiety levels within six 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 Psychotherapy

Plan Section (P)

Plan Section (P) Components

1. Therapeutic Interventions:

   • Specific therapeutic techniques and interventions that will be used to address the patient’s condition.
   • Example: "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address negative thought patterns."

2. Homework Assignments:

   • Tasks or exercises assigned to the patient to complete between sessions.
   • Example: "Journaling to identify and challenge negative thoughts."

3. Patient Education:

   • Information and instructions provided to the patient to help them understand and manage their condition.
   • Example: "Educate the patient on relaxation techniques and stress management strategies."

4. Follow-Up:

   • The plan for subsequent visits, including the frequency and duration of follow-up appointments.
   • Example: "Schedule weekly therapy sessions for the next eight weeks to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary."

5. Referrals:

   • Any referrals to other healthcare professionals or specialists if necessary.
   • Example: "Refer the patient to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation if no significant improvement is seen in four weeks."

6. Crisis Plan:

   • A plan for managing potential crises or emergencies.
   • Example: "Develop a crisis plan with the patient, including emergency contact numbers and coping strategies."

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 homework assignments and self-care.

Example of a Plan Section for Psychotherapy

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 Psychotherapy

AI scribes and ambient clinical intelligence are increasingly being adopted in psychotherapy settings, allowing therapists to be more present during sessions. According to AMA research, 66% of healthcare providers now use AI tools in practice.

Benefits for Psychotherapy Documentation

• Enhanced therapeutic presence: Full attention on the client, not on note-taking
• Session capture: Accurate documentation of interventions, client responses, and session content
• Consistency: Ensures all required elements are documented each session
• Time savings: Reduces post-session documentation time significantly

Psychotherapy-Specific AI Considerations

What AI captures well:

• Session content and themes discussed
• Interventions used (CBT, DBT techniques, etc.)
• Client-reported mood and symptoms
• Homework assignments given
• Follow-up scheduling

What requires careful review:

• Affect observations - verify AI captured nuance correctly
• Therapeutic relationship observations
• Risk assessment documentation (SI/HI)
• Treatment progress toward specific goals
• Confidential content requiring special handling

Privacy and Consent Considerations

Patient Consent: Therapy clients should be explicitly informed about AI documentation and given the opportunity to decline, as the therapeutic relationship may be impacted.

42 CFR Part 2 Compliance: Per the 42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule (compliance deadline: February 16, 2026), substance use disorder-related discussions require additional protections.

Psychotherapy Notes: Consider whether AI-generated content constitutes "psychotherapy notes" under HIPAA, which have enhanced protections.

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

Telehealth Psychotherapy Documentation

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

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 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
   • Document reason for audio-only format

Telehealth Psychotherapy Documentation Example

For complete telehealth documentation guidance, see our Telehealth SOAP Notes Guide and our Group Therapy Documentation Guide.