Free template
Counselling session note templates: SOAP and DAP
Two standard formats for writing counselling session notes, laid out below so you can copy them straight into your own practice — free to use, whether or not you ever try Zenvia.
Both formats exist to make notes faster to write and easier for another practitioner (or you, six months later) to follow. Neither is "more correct" — many practices pick one and standardise on it, and some professional bodies or insurers have a preference, so check yours if you're not sure.
Format 1
SOAP notes
Separates what the client reports from what you observe, before you interpret either.
What the client reported in their own words — presenting concern today, symptoms, mood, sleep, any changes since last session.
What you observed — affect, appearance, engagement, mental state, anything measurable (e.g. an outcome-measure score).
Your clinical interpretation — progress toward treatment goals, changes in presentation, risk considerations if relevant.
Next steps — homework or between-session tasks, referrals, focus for next session, and when that session is.
Format 2
DAP notes
Combines subjective and objective into one "Data" section — faster to write, still clear.
What happened in the session — what the client reported and what you observed, combined into one narrative.
Your clinical interpretation of the session's data — themes, progress, risk considerations.
Next steps, homework, and the focus for the next session.
These are structural templates, not clinical guidance — always follow your professional body's record-keeping standards and your own clinical judgement about what belongs in a note.
Skip the typing entirely
Zenvia drafts notes in either format automatically
If you use Zenvia, tell it whether you write SOAP or DAP and every AI-drafted session note comes back structured that way — you review, edit and sign, same as if you'd typed it yourself. See how it works →
Get a link to this page by email
So you can find it again without hunting through your browser history.