SOAP and DAP are two of the most common progress note formats in outpatient therapy. Both capture the same core clinical information — session content, clinical assessment, and treatment plan — but they organize it differently. Clinicians frequently ask which format they should use, and the honest answer is that both are widely accepted and the choice often comes down to workflow preference and setting requirements.
This article breaks down each format, compares them directly, shows the same clinical scenario documented in both styles, and offers a practical guide for choosing the format that fits your practice.
SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. Originally developed in medical settings, SOAP notes were adopted widely in mental health because their four-section structure maps naturally onto clinical reasoning. The defining feature of SOAP is the explicit separation of what the client reports (Subjective) from what the clinician observes (Objective). See a full SOAP Note Example for Therapy for a detailed walkthrough. Here is what each section contains:
What the client reports — their stated concerns, mood, symptoms, and relevant events since the last session. This section captures the client's own words and perspective, separate from anything you directly observe.
What you directly observe — the client's affect, appearance, behavior, speech, and any measurable data such as symptom rating scores. Objective content is grounded in what a clinician can observe, not in the client's self-report.
Your clinical interpretation of the Subjective and Objective data. This section captures your reasoning about the client's current status, progress toward treatment goals, and any diagnostic impressions relevant to the session.
Specific next steps: interventions to continue or introduce, client homework, referrals, and the timing of the next appointment. A strong Plan section is concrete enough for another clinician to understand what comes next and why.
DAP stands for Data, Assessment, and Plan. The format simplifies SOAP's four sections into three by merging Subjective and Objective content into a single Data section. Many therapists in private practice and outpatient settings find DAP easier to write because the distinction between client-reported and clinician-observed content can feel artificial in a typical therapy session. For a detailed walkthrough, see the DAP Note Example for Therapy. Here is what each DAP section contains:
Everything clinically relevant from the session — both what the client reports and what you directly observe. DAP merges the Subjective and Objective content of SOAP into a single Data section, simplifying the structure for clinicians who find that separation artificial.
Your clinical interpretation of the Data. Document the client's current status in relation to their treatment goals, progress or setbacks, and your clinical reasoning. Assessment should be grounded in what you observed and reported — not a restatement of it.
Specific next steps for treatment. Document the interventions you'll continue or introduce, any between-session assignments, referrals, and the timing of the next appointment. A useful Plan section is concrete enough that another clinician reading the record could understand what comes next and why.
Both formats cover the same clinical ground. The differences are structural and practical rather than substantive:
Structure
4 sections: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
S/O Separation
Explicit — client-reported and clinician-observed content are separate sections
Best for
Settings where distinguishing subjective and objective data adds clinical value
Common in
Medical and healthcare-adjacent settings, integrated care teams
Structure
3 sections: Data, Assessment, Plan
S/O Separation
Merged — subjective and objective content combined into a single Data section
Best for
Clinicians who prefer a simpler structure or find S/O separation artificial
Common in
Private practice outpatient therapy, community mental health
The following examples document the same clinical scenario — an adult client presenting with work-related anxiety — using SOAP and DAP. Reading them side by side illustrates the structural difference and helps clarify which format feels more natural for your writing style.
Client reports continued stress related to workload, describing it as "unmanageable." Disclosed a conflict with supervisor earlier in the week; expressed feelings of frustration and self-doubt. Reports difficulty sleeping, averaging 5 hours per night, and daytime fatigue.
Client appeared tense on arrival; affect was anxious and constricted. Speech was slightly pressured when discussing work but normalized during the latter half of the session. Engaged cooperatively throughout; maintained good eye contact.
Client continues to experience symptoms consistent with mild generalized anxiety, currently exacerbated by occupational stressors. Sleep disturbance appears to be a maintaining factor. Client demonstrated improved ability to identify cognitive distortions during session — progress toward the treatment goal of increased cognitive flexibility. Self-critical thinking remains prominent. No safety concerns.
1. Continue CBT-focused interventions targeting cognitive restructuring of work-related stress. 2. Assign thought record worksheet to track automatic thoughts before next session. 3. Introduce sleep hygiene psychoeducation; provide written handout. 4. Continue weekly sessions. Next appointment scheduled for [date].
Client reports continued stress related to workload, describing it as "unmanageable." Disclosed a conflict with supervisor earlier in the week and expressed frustration and self-doubt. Reports difficulty sleeping, averaging 5 hours per night, and daytime fatigue. Client appeared tense on arrival; affect was anxious and constricted. Speech was slightly pressured when discussing work but normalized during the latter half of the session. Engaged cooperatively throughout.
Client continues to experience symptoms consistent with mild generalized anxiety, currently exacerbated by occupational stressors. Sleep disturbance appears to be a maintaining factor. Client demonstrated improved ability to identify cognitive distortions during session — progress toward the treatment goal of increased cognitive flexibility. Self-critical thinking remains prominent. No safety concerns.
1. Continue CBT-focused interventions targeting cognitive restructuring of work-related stress. 2. Assign thought record worksheet to track automatic thoughts before next session. 3. Introduce sleep hygiene psychoeducation; provide written handout. 4. Continue weekly sessions. Next appointment scheduled for [date].
Notice that the clinical content is nearly identical — the same observations, assessment reasoning, and plan appear in both notes. The only difference is whether the session data is split across two sections or combined into one.
Most clinicians can use either format effectively. These factors help narrow down the right choice for your situation:
Check your payer and setting requirements first
Some insurance contracts or clinical settings specify a note format. Review your payer agreements and any agency or group practice policies before selecting a format.
Consider whether the S/O distinction adds value for you
If you find it natural to separate client-reported content from clinician-observed content, SOAP may feel more organized. If the distinction feels forced or redundant, DAP's single Data section is likely a better fit.
Both formats are widely accepted
Neither SOAP nor DAP is universally required by payers. Both are accepted in outpatient mental health settings, private practice, and most insurance billing contexts. The choice often comes down to workflow preference.
DAP notes are typically slightly faster to write
Merging Subjective and Objective into a single Data section removes one decision point per note. For clinicians with high session volume, this can add up meaningfully over time.
Standardizing across your practice reduces friction
If you work in a group practice or supervise other clinicians, using one consistent format makes peer review, supervision, and record review easier for everyone involved.
In solo private practice, format choice is usually a matter of personal preference and payer requirements. In group practices, many administrators choose one format and standardize across all clinicians — this makes peer review, supervision, and record audits more efficient, and removes the decision from each individual clinician's plate.
Some therapists use tools like AfterSession to draft structured notes in either SOAP or DAP format from a session summary. The clinician selects their preferred format, reviews the draft, and saves the final note. This keeps the clinician as the author while reducing the time spent on formatting and structure.
Neither format has a universal advantage for insurance purposes. What payers primarily require is documentation of medical necessity, session content, clinical assessment, and a treatment plan — content that both SOAP and DAP notes are designed to capture. Some payers or settings may have a preference or requirement specified in their contracts, so it is worth reviewing your specific agreements. When in doubt, contact your payer's provider relations team to confirm what they expect.
Technically yes, though it is generally better practice to use a consistent format throughout a client's record. Switching formats mid-treatment can make it harder to track progress over time and may complicate audits or peer review. If you want to change formats, the most practical approach is to start the new format at a natural clinical transition point and note the change in the record.
Most payers do not mandate a specific format such as SOAP or DAP, but they do specify the content that notes must include for claims to be reimbursable — typically medical necessity, treatment goals, session content, clinical assessment, and a plan. Some agencies, EHRs, or group practices may impose a format internally. Always review your specific payer contracts and any applicable state regulations.
HIPAA governs how protected health information is stored, transmitted, and accessed — it does not prescribe a particular note format. Both SOAP and DAP notes are HIPAA compliant as long as they are handled in accordance with your practice's HIPAA policies (appropriate access controls, secure storage, proper disclosure procedures). The format itself is not a HIPAA consideration.
SOAP and DAP notes are more alike than different. Both document the same core clinical information; the structural distinction — four sections versus three — reflects a practical difference in how that information is organized rather than a difference in clinical rigor or completeness.
If your setting or payers specify a format, follow that requirement. If the choice is yours, pick whichever format you will write consistently and accurately. The best note format is the one that produces clear, complete documentation of every session — regardless of whether it has three sections or four.
A realistic therapy progress note example with a reusable template, format comparisons (SOAP, DAP, BIRP), common documentation mistakes, and tips for writing session notes faster.
A realistic SOAP note example from a therapy session, with a reusable template, common documentation mistakes to avoid, and tips for writing notes faster.
A realistic DAP note example from a therapy session, with a reusable template, common documentation mistakes to avoid, and tips for writing notes faster.
Summarize your session in your own words. AfterSession turns it into a structured SOAP or DAP note you review and save.
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