Whether you’re a licensed counselor, a mental health coach, or a therapy intern, your session notes are not just documentation—they’re tools for continuity, client safety, and professional growth.

But with so many templates and styles out there, what exactly should a good therapy session notebook include?

Let’s break it down.

🔍 Key Sections Every Therapist Notebook Should Include:

1. Client Information Page

Keep a quick reference sheet for each client: name, age, goals, referral source, and emergency contact. Bonus: space for pronouns or client preferences shows inclusivity and attention to detail.

2. Session Overview Log

At-a-glance pages to track session number, date, attendance, and quick notes. This helps you spot attendance patterns and therapy progress.

3. Session Note Pages (Structured)

Use formats like:

• SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan)
• DAP (Data, Assessment, Plan)
• Free-form narrative

Each entry should allow space for:

• Presenting concerns
• Goals addressed
• Client quotes or behavior observations
• Therapist reflections
• Plan for next session

4. Treatment Plan Tracker

Keep clients’ long-term goals visible. Create checkboxes or progress lines to help measure progress.

5. Billing / Administrative Pages

Especially helpful for private practice therapists—track payments, insurance details, or notes on cancellations.

📘 Recommended: The Jots & Tally Therapist Session Notebook

We designed this notebook after consulting with real therapists.
It includes:

• ✅ SOAP + DAP formatted pages
• ✅ SOAP + DAP formatted pages
• ✅ Intake and treatment plan templates
• ✅ 52 session entries per client
• ✅ Elegant design for professional settings
  

📦 Available on Amazon – See the Notebook

🎯 Final Thought: Your Notebook = Your Anchor

Don’t settle for random pages or sticky notes. A well-structured session notebook helps you stay grounded, present, and professional—session after session.