SOAP note examples
What a good note looks like, modality by modality.
Each example is a complete fictional note with the tips and pitfalls specific to that work — not the same generic advice six times.
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CBT
A complete, realistic SOAP note example for a cognitive behavioral therapy session — plus what makes CBT notes different and the pitfalls reviewers flag.
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Couples therapy
A complete couples therapy SOAP note example — documenting both partners without taking sides, with intervention naming and pitfalls.
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EMDR
A realistic EMDR SOAP note example with SUD/VOC tracking, phase documentation, and the pitfalls reviewers flag in trauma work.
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Play therapy
A realistic SOAP note example for play therapy — documenting play themes as clinical data, caregiver contact, and pitfalls of over-interpretation.
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Substance use treatment
A substance use counseling SOAP note example with 42 CFR Part 2 awareness, stage-of-change framing, and craving documentation.
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Telehealth
A telehealth SOAP note example covering location, consent, licensure, and tech-disruption documentation — with tips and pitfalls.
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Need the blank versions? Free SOAP, DAP & BIRP templates with section prompts.