If you work in healthcare, you know that paperwork is a big part of the job. One of the most important pieces of paperwork we write every day is the progress note. A progress note is a written record of what happened during a session with a client or patient. It tells the story of their treatment. These notes are not just for us. Other doctors, therapists, and insurance companies read them. They need to be clear, simple, and correct. But sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start. There are many different ways to write a progress note. We call these different ways “formats” or “types.” You might have heard names like SOAP, DAP, or BIRP. Do not let these names confuse you. They are just tools to help you organize your thoughts. Each letter in the name stands for a specific part of the note. Think of them like a template. You fill in the blanks with your information.
In this blog, we will look at progress notes and it’s common types. We will explain each one. We will talk about what each letter means and what you should write in that section. By the end, you will have a better understanding of these tools. You can then choose the best one for your job.
What is a Progress Note?
A progress note is a record of a specific interaction with a patient . It could be for an office visit, a hospital check-in, a phone call, or even a quick message from a patient. Its job is to track the patient’s condition over time .
Progress notes are part of the official medical record . This is very important. It means the patient, their family (with permission), other doctors, and even lawyers or insurance companies can read them someday. So, you always want your notes to be professional, accurate, and respectful. Write every note as if someone else will read it, because they probably will.
Types of Progress Notes Formats
SOAP Note
The SOAP note is probably the most famous format. People use it in many different fields, from medicine to mental health. It is a great all-around note. It helps you look at the problem from a few different angles. The name SOAP is an acronym.
S stands for Subjective.
This part is about what the client tells you. It is their side of the story. You write down their words. You also include how they feel about what is happening. Think of it as their personal experience.
For example, you might write: “The client said, ‘I have been feeling very sad all week.'” Or “She reported that her pain level was a 6 out of 10.” You can also include things the client’s family tells you. The key is that this information is from their point of view. It is not something you measured or tested. It is subjective, meaning it is based on personal feelings or opinions.
O stands for Objective.
This part is about what you, the clinician, observe and measure. This is the factual data. These are things you can see, hear, or touch. There is no opinion here, just facts.
Examples of objective data include vital signs like blood pressure or heart rate. It could be how the client looked during the session. You might write: “The client made eye contact for the whole session.” Or “The client’s speech was slow and quiet.” It could also be results from a test you gave them. This section balances the subjective part. It gives the hard facts to go with the client’s story.
A stands for Assessment.
This is your professional opinion. You take the subjective and objective information and put it together. What does it all mean? This is where you make a judgment.
In this section, you might note the client’s progress. You could write: “The client seems to be responding well to the new medication.” Or you might identify a problem. For example: “The client’s sadness and lack of energy are getting worse. This suggests their depression is not under control.” You can also put a diagnosis code here if needed. The assessment is the “thinking” part of the note.
P stands for Plan.
This is the last part of the SOAP note. It is about what you will do next. Based on your assessment, what is the next step? This part looks to the future.
Your plan might be very simple. For example: “Schedule next appointment for next week.” It could be more detailed. You might write: “Continue to practice deep breathing exercises with the client.” Or “Will discuss increasing medication dosage with the doctor.” The plan gives direction. It makes sure that you and the client know what comes next.
DAP Note
The DAP note is a little shorter and more focused than the SOAP note. Some clinicians find it easier to use. It combines the subjective and objective parts into one section. This can make the note faster to write. The letters stand for Data, Assessment, and Plan.
D stands for Data.
This section is like putting the “S” and “O” from SOAP together. Here you write all the information you gathered during the session. You write both what the client said and what you observed. You put it all in one place.
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For example, you might write: “The client reported feeling anxious about work. They were fidgeting in their chair and spoke very fast. Their heart rate was 95 beats per minute.” All of this is the data. It is the raw information from the session. It tells the story of what happened without your opinion on it yet.
A stands for Assessment.
Just like in the SOAP note, the “A” is your professional analysis. You look at the data you just wrote down. Then you explain what you think it means. This is your clinical judgment.
You might write: “The client’s reported anxiety and physical symptoms suggest a high level of stress related to their job.” Or “The data shows that the client is using the coping skills we discussed.” This section shows that you are thinking critically about the client’s situation. It connects the data to your professional knowledge.
P stands for Plan.
The “P” in DAP is the same as the “P” in SOAP. It is all about the future. What will you do next? What will the client do next? You list the steps for the next session or the next phase of treatment.
A simple plan might be: “Next session, we will focus on job interview skills.” Or “Client agreed to practice relaxation for 10 minutes each day.” The plan gives you a roadmap. It shows that the session had a purpose and that the treatment is moving forward.
BIRP Note
The BIRP note is very popular in mental health and behavioral health settings. It puts a strong focus on the client’s behavior and how they respond to treatment. This makes it very useful for tracking changes over time. The letters stand for Behavior, Intervention, Response, and Plan.
B stands for Behavior.
This section is all about what you observed. It is mostly like the objective part of other notes. You describe the client’s behavior during the session. You stick to the facts. What did you see and hear?
You might write: “The client arrived on time and was well-groomed.” Or “The client had trouble sitting still. They got up to pace three times during the session.” You can also include a summary of what the client talked about. For example: “The client discussed their ongoing conflict with their roommate.” This section sets the scene.
I stands for Intervention.
This is a very important part of the BIRP note. Here, you write down what you did during the session. You list the specific actions you took as the clinician. What techniques did you use? What did you do to help?
For example, you might write: “Used active listening to help the client feel heard.” Or “Taught the client a new deep breathing technique to manage anxiety.” Or “Assisted the client in creating a daily schedule.” This section shows that you were an active participant. It proves that you provided a service.
R stands for Response.
This is what makes BIRP special. Here, you describe how the client responded to your intervention. Did it help? Did they like it? How did they react? This shows if your work together is being effective.
You might write: “The client was able to learn the deep breathing technique and reported feeling calmer after practicing it.” Or “The client had difficulty focusing on creating the schedule and seemed frustrated.” This section is crucial. It helps you know if you are on the right track. If the response is bad, you might need to change your plan.
P stands for Plan.
The final “P” in BIRP is the same as in the others. It is your roadmap for the future. What is the next step? You list the plan for the next session or for the client to do at home.
A simple plan could be: “Next session, we will review how the daily schedule worked.” Or “Client will continue to practice deep breathing at home.” The plan closes the loop. It connects what just happened to what will happen next.
PIRP Note
The PRIP note is a bit different. It is often used in rehabilitation settings, like physical or occupational therapy. It focuses a lot on the client’s problems and their potential. The name stands for Problem, Relevant history, Intervention, and Plan.
P stands for Problem.
This is the main reason the client is seeing you. What is the primary issue they need help with? You list the specific problems you are working on.
For example, you might write: “Problem: Difficulty walking after knee surgery.” Or “Problem: Inability to dress oneself due to shoulder pain.” You can list one main problem or a few. This section makes the focus of the session very clear. It tells anyone reading the note why the client is in treatment.
I stands for Intervention.
This is where you describe what you did during the session. What activities or exercises did you do with the client? What treatments did you provide? This is your action as the clinician.
For example: “Therapist guided the client through leg presses and balance exercises.” Or “Therapist instructed the client on how to use a long-handled reacher for dressing.” This section shows the work that was done. It records the specific services you provided to help with the problem.
R stands for Response.
In this section, you write down any history that relates to the current problem. This helps give context. It shows the bigger picture. You do not need to write their whole life story. Just the parts that are important for today’s session.
You might write: “The client had knee surgery three weeks ago.” Or “The client has a history of shoulder injuries from a car accident.” This information is important. It helps explain why the problem is there. It can also affect how you plan to treat them.
P stands for Plan.
The final “P” in PRIP is like the others. It is your plan for the future. What are the next steps in the treatment? This keeps everyone focused on the goals.
You might write: “Client will continue home exercise program for strength.” Or “Next session, we will practice using adaptive tools in the kitchen.” The plan shows the path forward. It is based on the problem and the intervention you just did.
GIRP Note
The GIRP note is very goal-oriented. It is often used in therapy and counseling settings. It helps keep the focus on what the client is working towards. The name stands for Goal, Intervention, Response, and Plan.
G stands for Goal.
This is the first thing you write. You state the goal that you are working on in this session. The goal should come from the client’s overall treatment plan. This makes the session feel purposeful.
For example, you might write: “Goal: Client will identify three personal strengths.” Or “Goal: Client will practice using ‘I feel’ statements during conflict.” Stating the goal at the beginning of the note reminds you and the reader what the focus was supposed to be. It sets the stage for everything else.
I stands for Intervention.
Just like in other notes, this is where you write what you did. What techniques or methods did you use to help the client work towards the goal? This is your action.
For example: “Therapist used a strengths-based worksheet to help client identify positive traits.” Or “Therapist modeled ‘I feel’ statements and coached the client through a role-play exercise.” This section shows the work you did. It connects your actions directly to the goal.
R stands for Response.
Here, you write about how the client responded. Did they make progress on the goal? Were they able to do what you asked? This shows if the intervention was working.
You might write: “The client was able to identify two strengths but struggled to think of a third.” Or “The client successfully used ‘I feel’ statements in the role-play and reported feeling more confident.” The response is important feedback. It tells you how close the client is to reaching the goal.
P stands for Plan.
The final “P” is your plan for the next steps. Based on the client’s response, what will you do next? How will you continue to work on this goal, or will you move to a new one?
For example: “Plan: Next session, we will continue to work on identifying strengths. Client will ask a friend for one strength they see in them.” Or “Plan: Client will practice ‘I feel’ statements with a family member this week. Next session we will review.” The plan keeps the therapy moving forward.
SIRP Note
The SIRP note is very similar to the GIRP note. It is also used a lot in therapy. The main difference is that it starts with the subjective experience of the client. The letters stand for Subjective, Intervention, Response, and Plan.
S stands for Situation.
This is just like the “S” in the SOAP note. You start by recording what the client said. You use their own words as much as possible. This gives a voice to the client right from the beginning.
For example, you might write: “The client stated, ‘I feel like I’m not good enough for this job.'” Or “The client reported, ‘Things were a little better this week.'” This section sets the emotional tone for the session. It shows what is on the client’s mind.
I stands for Intervention.
Next, you write about what you did. What was your clinical response to what the client shared? How did you help them with the feelings or thoughts they just described?
For example: “Therapist used cognitive restructuring to challenge the client’s thought ‘I’m not good enough.'” Or “Therapist provided validation and support for the client’s difficult week.” This section shows your clinical skills. It shows how you responded to the client’s needs.
R stands for Response.
Now you write about how the client responded to your intervention. Did your help make a difference? Were they able to see things in a new way? Did they feel supported?
For example: “The client was able to challenge the negative thought and offered a more balanced perspective.” Or “The client appeared relieved and thanked the therapist for listening.” This section shows the immediate impact of your work.
P stands for Plan.
The final part is the plan. What is the next step? You write down the focus for the next session or any homework for the client.
For example: “Plan: Next session, we will continue to explore self-esteem. Client will write down one positive quality each day.” The plan ensures continuity from one session to the next.
PIE Note
The PIE note is a very organized way to write notes. It is often used in social work and case management. It connects the client’s problems directly to the work you are doing. The name stands for Problem, Intervention, and Evaluation.
P stands for Problem.
This is a numbered list of the client’s main problems. These are the issues you are actively working on. You give each problem a number. This makes it very clear.
For example, you might list:
- Problem: Unemployment and financial stress.
- Problem: Family conflict with teenage son.
This section is simple and direct. It tells the reader exactly what challenges the client is facing.
I stands for Intervention.
For each problem you listed, you now write down what you did about it. You match your actions to the specific problem. This shows that your work is focused and targeted.
So, under your list, you would write:
- Intervention: Assisted client in updating their resume and searching for job openings online.
- Intervention: Facilitated a family session to improve communication between client and son.
This section shows the direct link between the problem and the service you provided.
E stands for Evaluation.
Finally, you evaluate how things went. For each problem and intervention, you write a short evaluation. How did the client respond? Is the problem getting better, worse, or staying the same?
You might write:
- Evaluation: Client was motivated and found three job openings to apply for. Progress noted.
- Evaluation: Family members were able to express feelings calmly. Communication improved during the session.
The evaluation closes the loop. It shows the outcome of your work for that session.
DARP Note
The DARP note is a very common format, especially in nursing and medical settings. It is designed to track a client’s progress over time. It focuses on their status and your actions. The name stands for Data, Action, Response, and Plan.
D stands for Data.
This section is a lot like the “D” in DAP. You put all the information from the session here. This includes subjective data (what the client said) and objective data (what you observed or measured).
For example: “Client reports feeling short of breath. Client’s oxygen level is 92%. Client’s breathing sounds are clear.” You just put all the facts and observations together in one place.
A stands for Action.
This is what you did. It is the same as the “Intervention” section in other notes. You list the specific actions you took as the clinician based on the data you collected.
For example: “Instructed client to use their inhaler. Assisted client to a sitting position to make breathing easier. Notified the charge nurse of the client’s oxygen level.” This section shows your response to the data. It proves you provided care.
R stands for Response.
Here, you describe how the client responded to your actions. Did their condition get better? Did they feel better after your help? This is a key part of the DARP note.
For example: “After using the inhaler, the client’s oxygen level increased to 96%. The client reported that their breathing felt much better.” This shows if your action was effective. It is a crucial piece of information for the next person caring for the client.
P stands for Plan.
The final part is the plan for the next steps. What will you or the next clinician do? This keeps the care going.
For example: “Plan: Continue to monitor client’s oxygen levels every hour. Encourage client to use the inhaler as prescribed. Report any further shortness of breath to the nurse.” The plan makes sure everyone knows what to do next.
Conclusion
We have covered a lot of ground. We looked at eight different types of progress notes. They are SOAP, DAP, BIRP, PRIP, GIRP, SIRP, PIE, and DARP. Each one is a little different. Each one has its own strengths.
The SOAP note is great for a complete picture. The DAP note is simple and fast. The BIRP note is perfect for tracking behavior and responses. The PRIP note works well in rehab settings. The GIRP and SIRP notes are very goal-focused for therapy. The PIE note is excellent for organizing problems in social work. The DARP note is a strong choice for tracking medical status.
So, which one should you use? The answer depends on your job. It depends on the rules of your workplace. Sometimes, your employer will tell you which format to use. Other times, you might have a choice. The best advice is to pick one that helps you tell a clear story. Pick one that makes sense for the type of care you provide.
The most important thing is not the format itself. The most important thing is that your note is clear, honest, and helpful. A good progress note helps the client. It helps other clinicians. And it helps you remember what happened. Use these tools to make your documentation better and your workday a little easier. Thank you for reading, and keep up the great work you do for your clients.
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Dr. Connor Yost is an Internal Medicine resident at Creighton University School of Medicine in Arizona and an emerging leader in clinical innovation. He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer at Skriber, where he helps shape AI-powered tools that streamline clinical documentation and support physicians in delivering higher-quality care. Dr. Yost also works as a Strategic Advisor at Doc2Doc, lending his expertise to initiatives that improve financial wellness for physicians and trainees.
His professional interests include medical education, workflow redesign, and the responsible use of AI in healthcare. Dr. Yost is committed to building systems that allow clinicians to spend more time with patients and less on administrative tasks. Outside of medicine, he enjoys photography, entrepreneurship, and family life.
