How to Write Effective Psychotherapy Notes: Best Sentence Starters

Here is a cheat sheet to keep handy when writing your psychotherapy notes.

Client Presentation & Mood:

• The client presented as… (e.g., calm, anxious, tearful, withdrawn).

• The client reported feeling… (e.g., overwhelmed, hopeful, frustrated).

• Affect was observed to be… (e.g., congruent/incongruent with mood, flat, labile).

• The client appeared… (e.g., well-groomed, fatigued, restless).

Therapeutic Progress & Engagement:

• The client actively engaged in… (e.g., processing emotions, identifying triggers).

• The client demonstrated… (e.g., increased insight, resistance, avoidance).

• The client expressed willingness to… (e.g., try coping strategies, explore past trauma).

• The client was able/unable to… (e.g., articulate concerns, challenge negative thoughts).

Interventions Used:

• The session focused on… (e.g., cognitive restructuring, mindfulness techniques).

• Therapist utilized… (e.g., psychoeducation, validation, Socratic questioning).

• A guided exercise was introduced to… (e.g., build distress tolerance, enhance self-awareness).

• The client responded to the intervention by… (e.g., expressing relief, exhibiting frustration).

Challenges & Barriers:

• The client struggled with… (e.g., identifying emotions, setting boundaries).

• Resistance was observed when… (e.g., discussing past trauma, exploring family dynamics).

• The client expressed concern regarding… (e.g., relationships, work stress).

• Avoidance was noted in discussions about… (e.g., grief, self-worth).

Plan & Next Steps:

• Moving forward, the client will… (e.g., practice mindfulness, track mood).

• Homework assigned includes… (e.g., journaling, self-compassion exercises).

• Future sessions will focus on… (e.g., coping skills, attachment patterns).

• The client expressed interest in… (e.g., exploring new coping mechanisms, revisiting past experiences).