GIRP notes are a structured form of progress note documentation that mental health professionals use to document their therapy sessions. 

This goal-oriented approach to clinical documentation has become increasingly popular among therapists, counselors, and other behavioral health professionals who want to maintain clear, focused records of their client interactions.

Understanding how to properly write GIRP notes can significantly improve your documentation quality while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about GIRP notes, from basic concepts to practical implementation strategies.

What Does GIRP Stand For?

The acronym GIRP represents four essential components that create a comprehensive framework for clinical documentation. Each letter corresponds to a specific section that mental health professionals must address in their progress notes.

• Goals (G): The therapeutic objectives and targets that you establish with the client 

• Intervention (I): The specific techniques, strategies, or activities you used during the session

• Response (R): How the client reacted to the interventions and their level of engagement 

• Plan (P): The next steps, homework assignments, and future therapeutic directions

This structured approach guides mental health professionals to focus on helping clients move toward specific goals, rather than simply analyzing their behavior.Key advantages of the GIRP framework include:

• Clear focus on therapeutic objectives and measurable outcomes

• Systematic documentation of intervention effectiveness

• Structured assessment of client engagement and response

• Forward-thinking approach to treatment planning

• Enhanced communication between treatment team members

The goal-oriented aspect of this framework distinguishes GIRP notes from other documentation methods. It provides a clear roadmap for treatment planning and progress tracking.

Now that you understand what GIRP stands for, let's explore how to effectively write each section of a GIRP note to be clear, clinically valuable, and high-quality..

How to Write a GIRP Note

Writing effective GIRP notes requires careful attention to each component while maintaining consistency with your client's overall treatment plan. The structured format makes it easier to maintain comprehensive but efficient documentation.

The key to successful GIRP documentation lies in understanding how each section builds upon the others to create a cohesive narrative of the therapeutic process. Let's examine each component in detail to help you master this documentation method.

Goals

The Goals section forms the foundation of your GIRP note and should clearly articulate both session-specific (short-term) and long-term therapeutic objectives. They can be set by the client or the mental health professional. Ideally, both parties collaborate to set goals.

When documenting goals, align them with the client's overall treatment plan and ensure they follow SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Best practices for writing effective goals include:

• Reference progress toward previously established objectives

• Include both session-specific and long-term therapeutic targets

• Use measurable language with clear success indicators

• Align goals with the client's stated priorities and values

• Note any modifications made to existing goals during the session

Effective goal documentation might include statements like "Client will identify three coping strategies for managing work-related anxiety" or "Reduce depressive symptoms by 25% as measured by PHQ-9 scores over the next four weeks."

Intervention

Moving from goals to action, the Intervention section documents the specific therapeutic techniques, strategies, or activities that you use during the session. This component provides a detailed account of your clinical approach and the methods you employed to help the client work toward their established goals.

Be as specific as possible about the techniques and approaches you use. Essential elements to document in the intervention section include:

• Specific therapeutic modalities and techniques employed

• Duration of each intervention used, especially if you used more than one approach

• Any modifications made to standard treatment protocols

• How you intend these interventions to help your client reach their therapeutic goals

• Educational materials or resources provided during the session

Examples of intervention documentation include "Conducted 50-minute individual therapy session using cognitive-behavioral techniques, including reframing," "Practiced mindfulness meditation exercises for 15 minutes to reduce stress," or "Reviewed homework assignment on thought challenging using cognitive restructuring worksheet."

Response

The Response component captures how the client reacted to the interventions. This provides crucial insight into the effectiveness of your therapeutic approach. This section should document both verbal and non-verbal responses, emotional reactions, and behavioral changes observed during the session.

Record the client's self-reported insights or breakthroughs, even small ones. In addition, note any challenges you encounter, or whether or not your client was receptive to the interventions.. 

Key components to include in response documentation are:

• Both verbal and non-verbal reactions to interventions

• Emotional responses and behavioral changes you observe

• Client's level of understanding and engagement with concepts

• Self-reported insights, breakthroughs, or concerns raised

• Any challenges or barriers encountered during the session

Response documentation might include "Client actively participated and demonstrated good understanding of relaxation techniques," "Reported feeling 'more hopeful' about managing symptoms," or "Showed visible signs of emotional processing when discussing family relationships."

Plan

The Plan section completes the GIRP framework by outlining specific next steps and future therapeutic directions. This component should include homework assignments, treatment plan modifications, follow-up activities, and any referrals or consultations needed.

Ensure your plan directly connects to the goals established at the beginning of the note and builds upon the client's response to interventions. Critical elements for comprehensive plan documentation include:

• Specific homework assignments and between-session activities

• Treatment plan modifications or adjustments needed

• Follow-up activities and assessment schedules

• Referrals to other professionals or services

• Clear timelines and measurable expectations for progress

Effective plan documentation includes statements like "Client will practice breathing exercises twice daily and complete anxiety trigger log," "Next session will focus on cognitive restructuring techniques," or "Referral to psychiatrist for medication evaluation scheduled for next week."

Example GIRP Note for Depression

Here's a comprehensive example of how a GIRP note might look when documenting a therapy session with a client experiencing depression:

GIRP Note – Individual Therapy, 45 minutes

Client: [Initials or client ID]

Date: [Date]

G – Goal

Client identified her goal for the session as exploring strategies to manage low mood and build motivation. The session focused on helping the client identify at least two positive coping strategies she used effectively over the past week. This aligns with her current treatment goal of reducing depressive symptoms by 30% within six weeks, as measured by the PHQ-9. The long-term goal remains to improve overall mood regulation and daily functioning.

I – Intervention

The therapist conducted a 45-minute individual session using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. The session began with a review of the client’s mood log, which she had completed over the past week. Together, they identified common patterns and emotional triggers. The therapist introduced a behavioral activation exercise, and the client scheduled three specific pleasant activities for the coming week. A cognitive restructuring technique was also introduced to help challenge negative thought patterns. The client was assigned homework that included continuing the mood log and engaging in one pleasant activity each day.

R – Response

The client was engaged and participatory throughout the session. She demonstrated insight into how her thoughts and behaviors influence her mood. She reported successfully using deep breathing techniques twice during moments of distress, which she described as “surprisingly helpful.” While she initially expressed resistance to planning pleasant activities — stating “nothing feels enjoyable anymore” — she became more open after discussing positive experiences from the past. Her affect appeared brighter by the end of the session. She was able to complete the cognitive restructuring exercise with minimal guidance.

P – Plan

The client will continue to track her mood daily using the worksheet provided. She agreed to complete at least one pleasant activity per day over the next week. She will also practice identifying and restructuring negative thoughts as they arise. In the next session, progress with these goals will be reviewed, and additional behavioral activation strategies will be introduced. A follow-up PHQ-9 assessment is scheduled in two weeks to assess treatment progress.

This example demonstrates how each GIRP component builds upon the others to create a comprehensive picture of the therapeutic process. The structured approach ensures that important clinical information is captured while maintaining focus on goal achievement and progress tracking.

Benefits of GIRP Notes

The structured approach of GIRP notes offers numerous advantages for mental health professionals seeking to improve their clinical documentation practices. 

Primary benefits include:

Clearer treatment-planning

GIRP notes make treatment planning clearer and simpler because it offers a clear roadmap to measure progress. This ensures that all therapeutic interventions align with the client's overarching treatment goals, which creates consistency across sessions and treatment team members.

Clarity

The standardized format improves documentation quality by ensuring clarity, which is significant for effective collaboration among medical staff and improving communication between the therapist and the client. This consistency makes it easier for other professionals to understand treatment progress and contribute meaningfully to care coordination.

Time-efficient

Time-efficient documentation represents another key benefit, as the structured format allows GIRP documentation to be completed quickly with minimal stress for the practitioner. This efficiency is crucial for busy mental health professionals managing multiple clients while maintaining high documentation standards.

Goal-focused

The goal-focused approach distinguishes GIRP notes from other documentation methods by maintaining a consistent focus on goal achievement and progress rather than primarily on problems or deficits. This positive orientation can be motivating for both clients and therapists, and promotes a strengths-based therapeutic relationship.

GIRP Notes vs. SOAP Notes

While both GIRP and SOAP notes provide structured approaches to clinical documentation, they serve different purposes and emphasize different aspects of the therapeutic process. Understanding these differences can help you choose the most appropriate format for your practice setting.

SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) are commonly used in medical settings and follow a more traditional medical model approach. The subjective section captures the patient's reported symptoms and concerns, while the objective section documents observable signs and measurable data. The assessment provides clinical interpretation, and the plan outlines treatment recommendations.

GIRP notes, in contrast, focus more on goal-oriented treatment planning, which makes them particularly suitable for mental health and behavioral health settings. While SOAP notes emphasize clinical assessment and medical decision-making, GIRP notes prioritize therapeutic goal achievement and client engagement in the treatment process.

The key difference lies in orientation: SOAP notes are assessment-focused and follow a medical diagnostic model, while GIRP notes are goal-focused and emphasize the therapeutic progress. Mental health professionals often find GIRP notes more aligned with their therapeutic approach and client-centered practice philosophy.

GIRP Notes vs. DAP Notes

DAP notes (Data, Assessment, Plan) represent another common documentation format used in mental health settings. Comparing DAP and GIRP approaches reveals important distinctions in focus and clinical utility.

DAP notes begin with Data collection, documenting objective observations and client-reported information gathered during the session. The Assessment section provides clinical interpretation of the data, including progress toward treatment goals and any concerns identified. The Plan outlines future therapeutic directions and interventions.

The primary difference between GIRP and DAP notes lies in their starting point and emphasis. DAP notes begin with data collection and move toward clinical interpretation, while GIRP notes start with goal identification and focus on intervention effectiveness. GIRP's goal-oriented approach often provides clearer direction for treatment planning and progress measurement.

Many mental health professionals prefer GIRP notes because they maintain focus on therapeutic objectives throughout the documentation process, making it easier to track progress and adjust treatment strategies based on goal achievement rather than problem identification alone.

GIRP Notes vs. BIRP Notes

BIRP notes (Behavior, Intervention, Response, Plan) share structural similarities with GIRP notes but differ in their initial focus and clinical emphasis. 

Most progress notes take on one of three forms: PIRP (problem, intervention, response, plan), GIRP (goal, intervention, response, plan), and BIRP (behavior, intervention, response, plan). The key difference lies in the first component – GIRP's goal-focused approach versus BIRP's behavior-focused methodology.

BIRP notes begin by documenting specific behaviors observed during the session, which makes them particularly useful for behavioral health settings and clients with significant behavioral concerns. The format works well for tracking behavioral changes and documenting evidence-based behavioral interventions.

GIRP notes, however, emphasize goal achievement over behavioral analysis. This makes them especially effective for motivated clients focused on progress and personal growth. The goal-oriented approach promotes a more collaborative therapeutic relationship and helps maintain focus on desired outcomes rather than problematic behaviors alone.

The choice between GIRP and BIRP often depends on your client population, therapeutic approach, and treatment setting requirements. GIRP notes tend to work better for clients engaged in insight-oriented therapy, while BIRP notes may be more appropriate for behavioral modification programs or clients with significant behavioral challenges.

Both formats share the same intervention, response, and plan components, which ensure comprehensive documentation of therapeutic activities and client progress regardless of which approach you choose.

Comparison of Progress Note Formats

To help you choose the most appropriate documentation method for your practice, here's a comprehensive comparison of the major progress note formats used in mental health settings:

Technology and GIRP Notes

Modern practice management software often includes GIRP note templates that can streamline the documentation process while ensuring consistency and compliance. Digital tools offer advantages such as automated formatting and structure, integration with treatment planning systems, improved legibility and accessibility, backup and security features, and easier collaboration among treatment team members.

Compliance and Legal Considerations

GIRP notes must meet various regulatory and legal requirements, including HIPAA compliance for protected health information, state licensing board documentation standards, insurance company requirements for reimbursement, and accreditation body standards when applicable.

Implementation and Best Practices

Implementing GIRP notes in your practice requires careful planning and training to ensure successful adoption. Start by ensuring all staff understand the GIRP format and its benefits, develop or obtain standardized GIRP note templates, incorporate GIRP notes into existing documentation workflows, implement review processes to ensure note quality, and regularly assess effectiveness while making improvements.

Common mistakes to avoid include writing vague or unmeasurable goals, providing generic intervention descriptions, incomplete response documentation, lack of clear next steps in the plan section, inconsistency with treatment plans, and poor alignment between goals and interventions.

Takeaway

GIRP notes are an efficient way for mental health professionals to improve their clinical documentation while maintaining a strong focus on client goals and progress. The structured format of Goals, Intervention, Response, and Plan provides a comprehensive framework that supports effective treatment planning, enhances communication among treatment team members, and ensures high-quality client care.

One progress note format is not necessarily “better” than another. As a mental health professional, you have the opportunity to choose the format that works best for you and your clients. Whatever format you choose, Berries AI Scribe can help you implement it seamlessly and efficiently.