"GIRP" is an acronym representing four key documentation sections:

• Goals (G)

• Intervention (I)

• Response (R)

• Plan (P)

By structuring notes around your client's goals, you keep therapy outcomes-focused and client-centered. While SOAP notes AI has gained popularity for medical documentation, GIRP provides a goal-oriented alternative specifically designed for psychotherapy sessions.

Benefits of Using GIRP Notes

• Enhances clarity by focusing therapy around client-defined objectives.

• Facilitates easy tracking of client progress toward specific goals.

• Promotes purposeful and structured therapeutic interventions.

• Improves communication and continuity of care.

How to Write GIRP Notes: Step-by-Step Guide

Below are detailed explanations of each section of the GIRP note format, along with guidelines for clear documentation. While AI therapy note generators are becoming more common, understanding the foundational structure remains essential.

1. Goals (G)

Begin each note clearly stating the client's goals—essentially, why the client is attending therapy and what they hope to achieve.

Best Practices for Writing Goals:

• Use the client's own words when possible. Example: "I want to feel confident enough to attend social events."

• Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

• Avoid vague terms; instead, describe concrete, observable outcomes.

Example:

• Goal: "Reduce social anxiety symptoms by practicing coping skills and attending at least one social event per week."

2. Intervention (I)

Clearly document the therapeutic approaches or interventions you used during the session to support the client's stated goals.

Best Practices for Writing Interventions:

• Include specific therapeutic techniques you employed (e.g., cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness exercises, psychoeducation).

• Use action-oriented verbs for clarity (e.g., introduced, modeled, guided).

• Explicitly link interventions to the client's set goals.

Example:

• Intervention: "Introduced and practiced progressive muscle relaxation technique; discussed and reframed negative thoughts about social interactions using cognitive-behavioral strategies."

3. Response (R)

Record how your client responded to the interventions and discussion during therapy, noting observable outcomes, reported experiences, and client feedback.

Best Practices for Documenting Response:

• Include observable facts and behaviors.

• Record client feedback or reflections (use quotes when applicable).

• Note any changes in emotional state or behaviors, engagement level, or resistance.

Example:

• Response: "Client engaged enthusiastically in the relaxation exercise, reporting afterward, 'I feel more relaxed right now.' Client identified negative thought patterns about social events and appeared receptive to cognitive reframing, though mentioned hesitation about applying it outside of sessions."

4. Plan (P)

Clearly outline the next steps for therapy, such as homework assignments, future session topics, or referrals.

Best Practices for Writing a Treatment Plan:

• Specify homework or tasks clearly.

• Include upcoming session date and intended topics or activities.

• Adjust strategies based on client's previous responses and progress.

Example:

• Plan: "Client agreed to practice progressive muscle relaxation daily for 10 minutes and track anxiety levels. Next session scheduled for 03/19/2025 at 2:00 pm, will review homework and continue CBT strategies for managing social anxiety."

Example of a Complete GIRP Note (Fictionalized)

Client: Alex Smith
Date: March 12, 2025
Session Type: Individual Psychotherapy (In-person; 45 min.)

Goal:
"Client wants to lessen anxiety symptoms to confidently attend social gatherings."

Intervention:
"Discussed anxiety triggers, introduced the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to manage anxious thoughts. Role-played brief introductions for upcoming social engagement."

Response:
"Client engaged actively, sharing specific anxiety-inducing scenarios. Demonstrated comfort with grounding exercise, stating it helped reduce immediate anxiety ('That really helped, and it felt straightforward enough to use in public.'). Client was initially hesitant but increasingly confident during role-playing."

Plan:
"Client will practice grounding exercise at least once daily. Attend one social gathering this weekend using newly learned skills. Next session (03/19/2025) to review experiences and introduce additional CBT social exposure techniques."

Comparing GIRP, SOAP, and DAP Notes

GIRP notes differ from other popular documentation formats including SOAP notes. Here's how they compare:

• GIRP Notes: Ideal for structured, goal-driven therapy as they keep the client's objectives central at all times. Several AI therapy note generator tools now support this format.

• SOAP Notes: More commonly used in medical settings due to emphasis on clinical assessment and observations. SOAP note AI tools from providers like Nudge and others have made this format increasingly accessible.

• DAP Notes: Favored for efficiency and brevity, providing a streamlined approach without explicit goal or intervention sections. Some mental health progress note generators now support this format.

Best Practices for Writing Effective GIRP Notes

• Clearly link each session to the client's therapy goals.

• Use precise, behavioral language—avoid ambiguity.

• Include direct client quotes for clarity.

• Maintain professional, concise language.

• Always document the next steps explicitly.

• Follow applicable confidentiality regulations (HIPAA, GDPR).

• Consider supplementing with AI for psychotherapy notes to save time while maintaining quality.

Free GIRP Note Template & Additional Resources

Consider using a fillable GIRP note template to standardize your documentation process. Templates ensure you cover all required sections and streamline your note-writing practice.

Additional Resources:

• APA Practice Guidelines

• HIPAA Compliance for Psychotherapists

• Ethical Guidelines by ACA

Conclusion

Using GIRP notes in psychotherapy documentation ensures clarity, goal-orientation, and client-centered care. By consistently applying this structured approach and following best practices, you'll create thorough documentation that supports therapeutic goals, tracks progress effectively, and maintains compliance with ethical and legal guidelines.

Remember, accurate documentation is valuable for continuity of care, collaboration with colleagues, and tracking meaningful progress over time.

Disclaimer:
This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify and comply with your local professional, legal, and ethical guidelines for clinical documentation.