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DAP note: template, structure and example

A DAP note template (Data, Assessment, Plan) for psychologists, with a section-by-section guide, a completed example, the ethical rules and the mistakes to avoid.

Delta

Countries covered : Belgium, Switzerland, France

A DAP note is a session note format organised into three sections, Data, Assessment and Plan. The clinician records what happened during the session, how they understand it, and what has been agreed for next time. The format is widely used by psychologists and counsellors in English-speaking countries.

It is designed for psychologists, psychotherapists and mental health practitioners who want a short note, written right after the session, that a colleague can read and that helps them pick up the thread next time. This page gives you the template, a completed example and the rules that apply in France, Belgium and Switzerland.

What a DAP note is for

A DAP note keeps a reliable trace of every session. Its first reader is the clinician. By rereading the plan from the previous session, you know within a minute what needed to be revisited, which exercises were suggested and what to keep an eye on.

It also makes progress visible. Since every note follows the same structure, sessions are easy to compare, and letters or end-of-therapy summaries are easier to write.

When to use it

The DAP format suits follow-up sessions, whatever your approach. It is less suited to the first session, which needs a broader intake, and to crisis sessions, which call for a more detailed risk assessment. Use a dedicated template for those.

It is often compared with the SOAP note (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan). The difference lies in the first part. A SOAP note separates what the patient reports from what the clinician observes, while a DAP note puts both under Data. In psychotherapy, where most of the material comes from what the patient says, this is often more natural and quicker. To see the same session written as SOAP, DAP and BIRP, read our comparison of session note formats.

The rules

In France, the code of ethics for psychologists, revised in 2021, states that psychologists are bound by professional secrecy as defined by the Criminal Code (articles 226-13 and 226-14). Secrecy covers what is confided, and also what is seen, heard or understood in the course of practice. Article 23 asks psychologists to collect, file and archive their personal notes in a way that protects privacy and confidentiality. Article 8 limits exchanges between professionals to strictly necessary information.

Who can read your notes? In a French healthcare facility, anything placed in the patient's file falls under article L1111-7 of the Public Health Code. The patient can access it, and it must be provided within eight days of the request, or two months if the information is more than five years old. In private practice, the GDPR (article 15) gives everyone a right of access to the data that concerns them.

In Belgium, the Commission of Psychologists states that since 4 March 2024, patients can consult their entire file, personal notes included, except data about third parties. Requests must be handled within fifteen days. In Switzerland, the FSP code of ethics requires adequate notes, kept for at least ten years, and gives patients the right to consult their file.

In practice, this means four things. Describe facts rather than judgements. Phrase hypotheses as hypotheses. Only note what serves the therapy. Keep information about identifiable third parties to a minimum.

The template, section by section

Header

Date, session number, length, format (in person or video) and who was present. These few lines are enough to place the note in the course of therapy and to find a given session later.

D for Data

This is the factual part. Record what the patient reports (what brings them today, events since the last session, how the suggested exercises went), what you observe (presentation, emotional state, attitude during the session) and what you did (techniques used, themes explored, questionnaires given). A short quotation can help when it captures something a summary would lose. No interpretation in this section.

A for Assessment

This is your clinical reading of the data. Where does the patient stand in relation to their goals? What has changed since the last session? Which working hypotheses are emerging? Also note points of concern, and the risk assessment when you carried one out, with the patient's answer. Do not add new facts here. Everything your assessment rests on should already appear in the data.

P for Plan

This is what has been agreed. Date or frequency of the next sessions, themes to revisit, exercises suggested between sessions, referral or contact with another professional (with the patient's consent), adjustment of goals. A good plan is precise enough that you know what to do when you open the note next time.

Completed example

Fictional patient. Ms L., 34, project manager, is seeking help for anxiety at work that began after her department was reorganised. Weekly sessions.

Header. 14 October, session 5, 50 minutes, in person. Ms L. alone.

Data. Ms L. says she slept better this week, waking at night on two nights out of seven, compared with almost every night the week before. On Monday she spoke up in a team meeting to present her project's progress, something she had avoided for two months. On Thursday, a message from her manager asking her to "give a quick update" triggered a sharp rise in anxiety and rumination until the evening. "I spent the whole evening rereading that email." In session, she smiles at first, her voice tightens when she mentions her manager, and she cries briefly. We went over her observation diary, then looked in detail at Thursday's situation and what she tells herself in those moments.

Assessment. Clear progress on avoiding meetings, which matches the first goal we set together (taking her place in team discussions again). Anxiety remains high in the relationship with her manager. Working hypothesis, a fear of being judged incompetent that feeds the rereading and rumination. Sleep is improving. Asked about suicidal thoughts, she said no, no cause for concern at this stage.

Plan. Next session on 21 October. Revisit the relationship with her manager and prepare the annual review planned for November. Suggested exercise, note in the diary two situations where anxiety rises, with what she tells herself and what she does next. Review of goals planned for session 8.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing data and assessment. "She minimises her difficulties" is an interpretation. It belongs in the assessment, based on facts described above.
  • Transcribing the whole session. The note is not a verbatim report. Keep what serves the therapy.
  • A vague plan. "Continue therapy" says nothing. State what will be revisited and what was suggested.
  • Judgements or labels. Describe a behaviour rather than labelling the person.
  • Too much detail about third parties. Partners, colleagues or children may appear, but only where they shed light on the patient's situation.
  • Leaving out the risk assessment. If the question was asked, the answer belongs in the note.

Save time with Delta

Delta is the clinical assistant for mental health and allied health professionals. During the session, Delta transcribes what is said. You can also dictate your observations after the session and add written notes. Delta then generates the session report (short summary, detailed summary, topics for the next session), takes your profession and approach into account, and updates the patient record with a summary of the therapy and the goals being tracked. Data is hosted in France by an HDS-certified provider, the patient's name and identifying details are pseudonymised before reaching the AI, no audio file is kept and data is never used to train a model. Learn more about Delta.

Further reading

What is the difference between a DAP note and a SOAP note?

Both end with an assessment and a plan. A SOAP note separates what the patient reports (Subjective) from what the clinician observes (Objective). A DAP note brings both together under Data. DAP is often quicker to write in psychotherapy, while SOAP is more common in medical settings.

Can patients read my DAP notes?

Yes, in many cases. In a French healthcare facility, anything placed in the file falls under the right of access in article L1111-7 of the Public Health Code. In private practice, the GDPR provides a right of access to personal data. In Belgium, patients can consult their file, personal notes included, since 4 March 2024. Write every note so that the patient could read it.

Can I use the DAP format for a first session?

You can, but it is not very practical. A first session involves gathering the patient's history, their request, their life context and their background. An intake template is better suited. The DAP format takes over from the second session onwards.

How long should DAP notes be kept?

In France, the code of ethics for psychologists sets no specific period. It asks for notes to be archived in a way that protects privacy and confidentiality. In a healthcare facility, follow the facility's rules for patient records. In Switzerland, the FSP code requires at least ten years. In Belgium, the Commission of Psychologists states a minimum of thirty years and a maximum of fifty years after the last contact for clinical psychologists.

Sources

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