DAP Notes

What Are DAP Notes?

DAP notes simplify clinical documentation into three sections:

• Data: All relevant information from the session — both what the client reports and what the therapist observes
• Assessment: The therapist’s clinical interpretation, progress evaluation, and diagnostic impressions
• Plan: Treatment direction, homework, next session goals, and follow-up actions

DAP vs SOAP Notes

The key difference is that DAP combines the Subjective and Objective sections from SOAP into a single Data section. This makes DAP notes:

• Faster to write
• Less rigid in structure
• Better suited to narrative-style therapy approaches

When to Use DAP Notes

DAP notes are ideal for:

• Psychodynamic and humanistic therapy approaches
• Sessions where the line between reported and observed data is blurred
• Therapists who prefer a more natural writing flow

How to Write a DAP Note

Data

Combine client self-reports with your observations. Note the session focus, key themes discussed, interventions used, and client responses.

Assessment

Evaluate progress, note patterns, and document your clinical reasoning. Include any changes to diagnosis or risk assessment.

Plan

Specify next steps: session frequency, homework assignments, goals for next session, and any referrals.