This DAP notes template is built for therapists, psychologists and mental health nurses who need clean, structured notes without the end-of-day scramble. With Heidi, you can generate a complete DAP note in seconds that:
Organizes session details across a clear Data, Assessment and Plan structure so nothing slips through the gaps
Reflects the client's presentation, clinical observations and response to interventions with precision
Keeps notes consistent and focused session to session, supporting continuity of care over the full treatment journey
A DAP notes template is a structured format used by healthcare professionals to document essential information during therapy sessions. The acronym stands for Data, Assessment, and Plan.
In this article, we’ll share a step-by-step guide on how to write DAP notes, provide various examples of DAP note usage across different specialties, explain how DAP notes differ from BIRP and SOAP notes, and give you free customizable DAP notes templates you can edit based on your practice’s needs.
Behavioral observations - body language, engagement/detachment, emotional expression.
Interventions used - cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness exercises.
Example: Austin reported persistent feelings of sadness, difficulty sleeping, and low energy. He expressed frustration about workplace conflicts and appeared tense when discussing interactions with his manager
Step 2: Provide an Assessment
The Assessment section is your professional evaluation of the session.This includes:
Progress or setbacks compared to previous sessions
Patient’s engagement level and ability to apply coping strategies
Clinical impressions regarding mental or behavioral health status
Example: Jamie exhibited increased willingness to discuss workplace stressors but still struggles with assertive communication. His difficulty setting boundaries suggests an ongoing challenge with self-advocacy. Mood has shown mild improvement since the last session, but anxiety remains a concern. No signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation.
Step 3: Outline the Plan
The Plan section details next steps for treatment, including:
Follow-up schedule - next session, check-in calls
Example: Continue working on assertive communication skills with guided role-play in the next session. Assign daily journaling on work stress triggers and practice one assertive response per day in real-life situations. Follow-up session scheduled in one week to evaluate progress.
DAP Note Examples: Applications Across Specialties
DAP notes offer a structured yet flexible approach to documentation, which makes the format compatible with a wide range of specialties. The examples below show how that plays out across different fields:
1. Mental Health & Counseling DAP Notes
Psychologists, therapists, and social workers often use the DAP note format to document their sessions.
Example: Client/ID: Sean M. Therapy Provider: Dr. Abigail Marston Session Date: May 27, 2025 Start and Finish Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Data:
Sean reported feeling overwhelmed at work, struggling with motivation, and experiencing increased anxiety. He described frequent headaches and trouble sleeping. During the session, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques were used to address negative thought patterns. He was receptive to guided relaxation exercises but expressed difficulty implementing self-care routines.
Assessment:
Sean continues to experience work-related stress and generalized anxiety. He is engaged in therapy but struggles with consistency in applying coping strategies. No signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation were present.
Plan:
Continue with CBT, focusing on stress management and self-care integration. Sean was assigned daily mindfulness exercises and asked to log his stress triggers. The next session is scheduled for June 3, 2025.
2. Substance Use Treatment DAP Notes
Addiction counselors and rehabilitation specialists use DAP notes to detail patient progress in substance use recovery programs.
Example:
Client/ID: Mark S. Therapy Provider: Jordan Reeves, LADC Session Date: March 3, 2025 Start and Finish Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Data:
Mark reported strong cravings over the past week due to increased work stress but stated he did not relapse. He attended four out of five scheduled group therapy sessions and found them helpful. He discussed feeling frustrated with family members who do not understand his recovery journey.
Assessment:
Mark is maintaining sobriety but experiencing emotional distress related to stress and family dynamics. His coping mechanisms are improving, though cravings remain a challenge. He expressed commitment to recovery but requires additional support in managing external pressures.
Plan:
Increase participation in peer support groups. Introduce stress-reduction techniques, including mindfulness and journaling. Explore potential family counseling in future sessions. Follow-up scheduled for March 10, 2025.
3. Behavioral Health & Case Management DAP Notes
Case managers and behavioral health specialists use DAP notes to track patient needs, interventions, and progress in mental health programs.
Example: Client/ID: Maria L. Case Manager: David Nguyen, LMSW Session Date: February 28, 2025 Start and Finish Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Data:
Maria expressed frustration with her housing situation and financial stress. She recently missed two medication doses due to difficulty picking up prescriptions. She reported feeling emotionally exhausted and overwhelmed but denied self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Discussed available community resources for financial and housing assistance.
Assessment:
Maria is experiencing high stress due to financial instability, which is impacting her mental health. Medication adherence issues need to be addressed to avoid setbacks in her treatment.
Plan:
Coordinate with a social worker to explore emergency rental assistance programs. Assist Maria in setting up medication delivery to improve adherence. Schedule a check-in call before the next session on March 6, 2025.
DAP Note vs SOAP Note vs BIRP Note
DAP notes, SOAP notes, and BIRP notes each serve a similar but distinct purpose in healthcare documentation.
DAP notes (Data, Assessment, Plan) focus on key observations, professional assessment, and next steps.They offer a structured yet flexible format, making them ideal for counseling, case management, and behavioral health cases.
SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) follow a highly structured format that emphasizes medical objectivity. They’re widely used in hospitals, physical therapy, and psychiatric care. The “Objective” section is unique to the SOAP note template, since it includes quantifiable data such as vital signs, lab results, and diagnostic test results.
BIRP notes (Behavior, Intervention, Response, Plan) are designed specifically for behavioral health documentation. Compared to DAP and SOAP notes, they place greater emphasis ondocumenting patient behaviors and responses to interventions.
DAP Notes Template Example
You can download a copy of this document, or auto-fill it seamlessly with Heidi, your AI care partner.
Clinicians already carry demanding schedules, and after-hours documentation adds to that load. With AI-powered tools like Heidi, there is a more efficient path: better documentation without the after-hours grind.
Easily Complete DAP Notes with Heidi
Meet Heidi, our high-tech AI medical scribe designed to help you write DAP notes while you’re conducting your therapy sessions. With your patient’s permission, simply hit record and let Heidi work alongside you!
Before Heidi, Dr. Chris Bojrab, President of Indiana Health Group (IHG), found that getting documentation done properly often meant more time after the session: reviewing details, fixing gaps, and trying not to miss anything important. Now, with Heidi, he can draft notes in real time and walk away with documentation that reflects the nuance of what was actually discussed.
“When I first got on and started playing with it, it was better than I expected it to be at this point. I was surprised how adroitly it handled the lingo for being a general system. That was impressive.”
Here’s how Heidi helps you accomplish your DAP notes:
Start - Open Heidi on your computer or mobile device and press Start. Conduct your session as normal while Heidi works in the background.
Customize - After the session, pick your preferred DAP note template and watch as Heidi drafts the details of your visit into the appropriate Data, Assessment, and Plan format.
Expand - After generating your DAP note, you can ask Heidi to produce additional documentation, including referral forms if needed.
Heidi is HIPAA-compliant and adheres to applicable US federal and state data privacy regulations to keep patient data secure. Read more about our compliance here.
Mental health professionals and clinical psychologists can use this comprehensive template to document psychological and medical issues, along with client goals and structured DAP and SOAP notes.
DAP notes help healthcare providers maintain clear, organized, and consistent documentation across sessions. This supports progress tracking, timely treatment adjustments, and smoother communication around referrals and continuity of care.
