Templates / Simple
Simple Session Note Template
Three sections and nothing else. For therapists and coaches who want structure without a formal clinical format.
Not every practice needs SOAP. If you work privately, do not bill insurance, and mostly need notes that help you remember and prepare, a three-section format is often all it takes.
The discipline is in writing it every time, not in the number of sections.
The template
- Key ThemesThe two or three things the session was really about.
- ObservationsWhat you noticed — in the client, in yourself, in the relationship.
- Next FocusWhere you want to go next time.
Copy these headings into your notes app, or use them built-in in AfterSession.
When to use it
Use it for private practice, coaching, peer support, or as a low-friction default while you decide whether a clinical format is needed. Upgrade to SOAP or DAP if a third party will read your notes.
Section-by-section guide with example
Key Themes
The two or three things the session was really about.
Observations
What you noticed — in the client, in yourself, in the relationship.
Next Focus
Where you want to go next time.
The example is a fictional composite written for illustration. It does not describe a real person.
Common mistakes
- Treating Observations as a summary of events. It is for what you noticed, not what happened.
- Leaving Next Focus empty. It is the section that saves you five minutes of re-reading before the next session.
Frequently asked questions
Is a simple note enough for a licensed therapist?
It depends on your regulator and whether anyone else will read the record. Many private-practice therapists use a simple format for process notes and a SOAP-style note for the formal record.
How quickly can I write a simple session note?
Two to four minutes. That is the point: a note you will actually write beats a thorough note you skip.