BIRP Notes
A BIRP note documents therapy sessions in four sections: Behaviour, Intervention, Response, and Plan — focusing on what happened and how the client responded.
What Are BIRP Notes?
BIRP notes structure clinical documentation around the therapeutic interaction:
- Behaviour: The client’s presenting behaviours, mood, and symptoms
- Intervention: The specific techniques and strategies the therapist used
- Response: How the client responded to the interventions
- Plan: Next steps and treatment direction
When to Use BIRP Notes
BIRP notes are particularly useful when:
- You need to clearly document which interventions were used and their effectiveness
- Insurance or managed care requires evidence of treatment necessity
- Working with clients who have specific behavioural goals
How to Write a BIRP Note
Behaviour
Describe the client’s presentation: mood, affect, reported symptoms, and any notable behaviours during the session.
Intervention
Document each therapeutic technique you used. Be specific — name the approach (CBT, DBT skills, motivational interviewing, etc.).
Response
Record how the client reacted to each intervention. Did they engage? Show insight? Resist? This section demonstrates treatment effectiveness.
Plan
Outline the next session focus, any homework, and adjustments to the treatment plan.
Related Resources
Progress Notes
Progress notes are clinical records that document a client's treatment progress over time, including session summaries, interventions, and outcomes.
GIRP Notes
A GIRP note is a goal-oriented documentation format with four sections: Goals, Intervention, Response, and Plan — tying every session to treatment objectives.
DAP Notes
A DAP note is a streamlined clinical documentation format with three sections: Data, Assessment, and Plan — combining subjective and objective information.
SOAP Notes
A SOAP note is a structured method of clinical documentation that organises session information into four sections: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan.
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