How to write GIRP notes (with examples)

Therapist session notes, such as GIRP notes, are among the most important elements of running a therapy practice.

Summary

Begin each GIRP note by documenting specific, measurable client goals using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound), including baseline measurements and target outcomes in quantifiable terms.
Detail therapeutic interventions by listing specific techniques employed during the session, incorporating clinical justification, session location, and practitioner information while using professional terminology relevant to mental health documentation.
Document client responses by recording direct quotes, behavioral observations, and progress measurements, ensuring to note both positive developments and areas requiring adjustment in the treatment plan.
Conclude each note with a clear action plan that outlines specific homework assignments, upcoming appointment details, and measurable objectives for the next session while maintaining HIPAA-compliance standards.
Implement standardized GIRP note templates in your EHR system, incorporating relevant diagnostic codes, treatment modalities, and progress metrics to ensure consistent documentation across all client sessions.

This guide provides a brief overview of GIRP notes, including examples and a free GIRP notes template to save to your electronic health record (EHR).

What is a GIRP note?

Notes are essential for therapists to keep track of client progress and documenting services to justify the need for therapeutic services.

GIRP notes, like other forms of clinical documentation, are a method of recording a client encounter. Like SOAP, DAP, and BIRP notes, GIRP notes provide a framework to notate the details of the service provided

The GIRP acronym stands for:

Goal
Interventions
Response
Plan

GIRP notes are less common among mental health therapists than SOAP or DAP notes. Many clinicians use a specific note format on their EHR, either by preloading a specific template or using one of the above-mentioned documentation frameworks.

One of the key differences between those formats and GIRP notes is that GIRP notes are a goal-based framework that prioritize client goals over behavioral observations.

GIRP notes are best suited for goal-oriented clients, such as those seeking substance use disorder treatment.

For example, agencies like the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services utilize the GIRP note format.

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How to write GIRP notes

GIRP notes address the following specific sections and information criteria:

Goal

In the Goal section of GIRP notes, therapists provide a brief outline of the client’s goal and objectives, i.e., why they are seeking therapy.

You might want to use a SMART goal format using the GIRP notes template to address where this goal sits within the client’s overall treatment plan. You may also include client quotes.

Interventions

For the Interventions section, the clinician details the therapeutic interventions used during the session, clinical justification, the session's location, clinician name, and other relevant information.

Response

In the Response section of GIRP notes, the therapist describes the client’s engagement with the interventions. You may record their insights and responses to interventions, including quotes. This section should also comment on the client’s progress and clinical observations regarding whether the treatment plan needs to be adjusted.

Plan

In the Plan section of the GIRP notes template, specify the next steps, including skills or strategies for clients to practice and implement at home, future appointments, referrals, discussion topics, and goals for future sessions.

GIRP notes examples

GIRP note example for a client with anxiety

Goal: The client will reduce their social anxiety by 20% (as measured by self-reported anxiety scales, like GAD-7) within three months by working with this therapist to identify and challenge negative core beliefs, automatic thoughts, and thought distortions. They will use a daily thought log to cognitively restructure at least five unhelpful thoughts per week into more adaptive thoughts and behaviors, recording their achievements. Baseline: The client is unaware of the CBT triangle, core beliefs, and thought distortions.
Intervention: This writer used psychoeducation to explain the CBT triangle and illustrated cognitive restructuring techniques to challenge negative automatic thoughts. The therapist guided the client through a thought log exercise in the session, demonstrating how to replace unhelpful thoughts with adaptive ones.
Response: The client understood the cognitive restructuring process and actively participated in the thought log exercise. They identified two unhelpful automatic thoughts and successfully reframed them into more adaptive alternatives. During the role-play, the client reported, “Wow! That’s so simple. I can’t believe I’ve been doing that,” and expressed that the techniques felt helpful and seemed manageable to implement. The client expressed motivation to complete the thought log every day, as assigned.
Plan:
The client will complete a daily thought log, identifying and restructuring at least four unhelpful thoughts weekly.
The therapist and client will review the thought log and discuss progress at the next session.
Next session: Introduce and practice relaxation techniques to complement cognitive restructuring.
The client will continue to use the anxiety scale weekly to monitor progress toward the 20% reduction goal.

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GIRP note example for a client with depression

Goal: Reduce depression symptoms by 30% within eight weeks, measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)or PHQ-9, through weekly therapy, four activity scheduling tasks weekly, and a daily mood chart. Baseline measure: The client’s current PHQ-9 score is X; they do not use behavioral scheduling or keep a thought log.
Intervention: This clinician introduced behavioral activation and mood tracking. During the session, the client created a list of five behavioral activation activities, including daily exercise, calling friends, having an evening routine, meal prep, and at least one social activity, and practiced completing a mood chart entry.
Response: The client actively participated, created a realistic activity list, and practiced using the mood log. Initial concerns about consistency were addressed, and the client expressed motivation to follow through.
Plan: The client will complete four scheduled activities and track moods daily. This clinician will review progress at the next session. At the four-week mark, the client will repeat the BDI/PHQ-9.

How to use the GIRP notes template

You can download and use the GIRP notes template in several ways:

To write concurrent notes in the editable GIRP notes PDF during a telehealth session
You can print the GIRP notes template to take notes during the session
To update your EHR template into the GIRP note format

Sources

Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. (n.d.). TIP sheet #4. GIRP documentation.
Pennelle, O. (2024). Therapist session notes. Pollen Magazine.

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