By Robbie Edwards — Founder of AfterSession
New therapists often find documentation overwhelming. This guide covers the basics of therapy documentation, common new-therapist mistakes, and practical tips for building efficient documentation habits from the start.
Part of our therapy documentation best practices guide.
Every session needs a progress note
Use a structured format (SOAP, DAP, or BIRP)
Document what happened, what you did, and what's next
Write notes the same day as the session
Focus on clinical relevance, not comprehensive narrative
Writing too much detail trying to be thorough
Waiting too long to complete notes
Not using a consistent template
Missing treatment goal connections
Including unnecessary personal opinions
Start with a template from day one
Set aside documentation time in your schedule
Write notes immediately after each session
Ask your supervisor for documentation feedback
Review example notes from experienced clinicians
New therapists frequently encounter these documentation challenges:
Uncertainty about what to include vs what to leave out
Taking too long to complete each note
Difficulty separating observations from interpretations
Not knowing which documentation format to use
Feeling overwhelmed by documentation volume
Balancing thoroughness with efficiency
No credit card required.
Start with a structured template, write notes the same day, and ask for feedback from supervisors.
Any structured format (SOAP, DAP, BIRP) works well. Choose one and use it consistently.
Use templates, write immediately after sessions, and focus on clinical essentials rather than comprehensive narrative.
Write or speak a short recap after your session. AfterSession turns it into a structured note. The session itself is never recorded.
By Robbie Edwards — Founder of AfterSession