Templates / DAP
DAP Note Template
A leaner alternative to SOAP that merges subjective and objective information into a single Data section.
DAP notes keep the rigor of SOAP but drop the distinction between what the client reported and what you observed. Everything factual goes into Data; your clinical thinking goes into Assessment; next steps go into Plan.
Because there are only three sections, DAP notes are faster to write and are popular in community mental health, substance-use programs, and private practices that do not bill insurance.
The template
- DataEverything factual from the session: what the client said, what you observed, interventions used, and any scores. Keep it descriptive.
- AssessmentWhat the data means clinically: progress, patterns, diagnosis-relevant observations, and risk.
- PlanSpecific next steps for treatment, homework, and scheduling.
- Follow-UpsYour to-do list from this session.
Copy these headings into your notes app, or use them built-in in AfterSession.
When to use it
Choose DAP when you want structure without the subjective/objective split, or when your agency already uses it. If you are regularly asked to document mental-status observations separately, SOAP or BIRP may serve you better.
Section-by-section guide with example
Data
Everything factual from the session: what the client said, what you observed, interventions used, and any scores. Keep it descriptive.
Assessment
What the data means clinically: progress, patterns, diagnosis-relevant observations, and risk.
Plan
Specific next steps for treatment, homework, and scheduling.
Follow-Ups
Your to-do list from this session.
The example is a fictional composite written for illustration. It does not describe a real person.
Common mistakes
- Letting Data become a narrative of the whole session. Pick the details that matter for the assessment.
- Repeating the Data in the Assessment. Assessment should add meaning, not restate.
- Forgetting to note the client's response to interventions — that is what shows progress over time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DAP and SOAP?
SOAP splits factual information into Subjective (client's report) and Objective (your observations). DAP merges both into one Data section. The Assessment and Plan sections are essentially the same.
Are DAP notes accepted by insurance?
In most cases yes, as long as the note documents medical necessity, interventions, and progress toward treatment goals. Check your payer's requirements.