How to Write Therapy Session Notes: 7 Ready-to-Use Templates for Clinical Psychologists

For a newly qualified psychologist, one of the quietest fears hits right after the first real client walks out the door. You sit down at your desk and ask yourself: "What do I actually write now?" Theory was covered in training. Case examples were discussed. But when it comes to "how do I write this today, for this client," almost everyone is left a little on their own.

In this post, we'll share 7 example note templates across 7 different session types — useful for both therapists just starting out and those with a well-established practice. All examples are fictional but reflect situations therapists genuinely encounter in the field.

What Questions Should a Good Session Note Answer?

Whatever format you use, a session note should answer three core questions.

First: What happened in this session? Both what the client brought, and your own observations.

Second: Where does this session fit relative to the last one? Progress, stagnation, or regression?

Third: What will I do in the next session? This answer is both a roadmap for you and, when shared in supervision, a document that shows your approach to intervention.

Any note that answers these three questions can be considered "good," regardless of its structure.

When Should You Write the Note?

The ideal answer: immediately after the session ends, within 10 minutes at the most. Memory degrades quickly. If you write an hour later, you'll notice that details have evaporated and specific observations have been replaced by vague generalities.

In practice, this isn't always possible. If you can't write the full note right away, jot down 2–3 keywords immediately after the session into your phone or app (in a secure, encrypted space). When you write the full note later that evening, those keywords will trigger your memory.

Template 1: Individual CBT Session (DAP Format)

Client: E. Kaya, Session 8

D: Reports having experienced two panic attacks this week. The first was on the subway, the second in a work meeting. Has been keeping a thought record and noticed that the thought "I'm going to lose control" appeared in both incidents. Continuing with the exercise program. Sleep is regular.

A: Avoidance behavior in panic disorder is decreasing. Cognitive restructuring techniques appear to be internalized. Insight is growing.

P: Next session: plan in vivo exposure exercise (riding the subway alone). New thought record assigned as homework.

Template 2: Intake / First Session (Extended Format)

Client: A. Yılmaz, first session

Presenting concern: Increasing work-related anxiety over the past six months, sleep problems, social withdrawal.

Current status: Generalized anxiety symptoms are prominent. Beck Anxiety Inventory score: 28 (moderate-high). No suicidal ideation, but expresses "everything feels very hard." General functioning moderately impaired.

History: Completed 8 months of CBT in 2022 with benefit. Family history of depression (mother). No current medication.

Formulation: A presentation in which perfectionist schemas are activated, with workplace ambiguity serving as the trigger for elevated anxiety.

Plan: Weekly sessions, CBT-focused. Initial goals: anxiety management techniques and sleep hygiene. Treatment plan to be reassessed after three sessions.

Template 3: Couples Therapy Session

Clients: B. and C. Demir, Session 5

Session focus: Structured review of the argument from last week (financial matters).

B's perspective: Expressed that he/she finds their partner's spending "out of control," has raised this repeatedly, but feels unheard.

C's perspective: Said that their partner is constantly "monitoring" them and that their own financial contributions go unacknowledged.

Intervention: Speaker-listener technique was used. Both parties were guided to express their feelings using "I" statements.

Response: Tone softened in the second half of the session. C saying "I hadn't realized — I'm sorry" was an emotionally significant moment for B.

Plan: Recommended setting aside a structured 30 minutes each week for budget discussions. Next session will shift to the theme of intimacy.

Template 4: Child Therapy Session (Play Therapy)

Client: D. (age 8), Session 4

Session themes: Control, protection, visibility.

Observation: In the sand tray, first built a house, then constructed a high wall around it. Placed "me and my dog" inside the wall; placed the mother and father figures outside. Said: "When they shout, it stays quiet in here."

Interpretation: The conflict at home appears to have created a need for a refuge in the child. The protective role assigned to the dog figure is notable.

Parent communication: In a 10-minute meeting with the mother, it was shared that D. was involved in a fight at school last week. Information received that arguments at home have decreased.

Plan: Next session: work with emotion cards. An additional session on boundary-setting techniques recommended for the mother.

Template 5: EMDR Session

Client: F. Aksoy, Session 7 (3rd processing session)

Target memory: A traffic accident at age 16 — watching the client's mother being injured in the front seat.

Starting SUDs: 8/10 Negative cognition: "I am helpless" Positive cognition: "I am safe now" VOC: 3/7

Processing: 6 sets of bilateral stimulation completed. Crying observed after the third set. A new memory surfaced after the fifth set (waiting at the hospital after the accident). Processing slowed at this memory.

Closing SUDs: 4/10 VOC: 5/7

Plan: Continue with the hospital scene in the next session. Reinforce safe place exercise in the intervening week.

Template 6: Group Therapy Note

Group: Social Anxiety Group, Session 6 (of an 8-session module)

Attendance: 7/8 members (E. gave advance notice of absence)

Theme: Sharing exposure experiences.

Group dynamics: Energy was low in the first half; most members opened with "it's been a hard week." One member (A.) shared the experience of giving a presentation at the office; this sparked momentum in the group. Three other members wanted to contribute similar experiences.

Intervention: Structured sharing round focused on making success experiences concrete.

Individual notes: A. (marked progress); B. (arrived late, remained quiet); F. (shared their own experience for the first time).

Plan: Next session: relapse prevention strategies.

Template 7: Supervision Note (For Yourself)

Case: M. Arslan, Session 12 Supervisor: Dr. Kaya Meeting date: [date]

Topic I brought: The therapeutic alliance with this client is strong, but over the past three sessions, transference themes have intensified. The client has begun projecting their relationship with their mother onto me. I asked how to work with this.

Supervisor's suggestions: Begin with a gentle interpretation to test whether the client is ready for this material to be interpreted. Keep an additional personal note stream to monitor my countertransference. Bring progress to the next supervision.

Outcome: Noted two new openings regarding my work. Will start the countertransference journal this week.

Closing Thoughts: There's No Single Right Way — Just Be Consistent

What all seven templates have in common is that they separate observation from interpretation, make progress trackable, and orient you toward the future. Whichever you choose, use it consistently. Consistency is what transforms your notes into a genuine tool when you return to them three months later.

Calemio offers a structure that supports all of these templates. Notes are encrypted end-to-end, locked at the session level, and never used for AI training under any circumstances. You can download and try it for free.