SOAP notes and DAP notes are very similar. The primary difference is how the observations from the session are structured:
- In a SOAP note (subjective, objective, assessment, plan), you’re encouraged to document subjective and objective observations separately, providing a distinction between the client’s and therapist’s perspectives.
- In a DAP note, all of your observations are condensed into a “data” section that may weave together the client’s subjective remarks with the therapist’s own impressions of the client’s observable behaviors.
Both include assessment and plan sections that prompt a clinician to reflect on their interpretation of the session and document how they’re proceeding with care.
Therapists tend to use the format they were trained on, and whichever one feels most authentic to their style and modality. Any of these can be insurance compliant and which one you use is generally a matter of personal preference.
When to choose a SOAP note
You might choose a SOAP note if you prefer more structure to your note taking, or if it’s important to dedicate space to monitoring specific symptoms from a clinically objective point of view.
SOAP notes can be great for medical or multidisciplinary settings where detailed, structured documentation is crucial for communicating treatment plans and client progress across providers. Learn how to write a SOAP note.
When to choose a DAP note
You might choose a DAP note if you prefer to take a more straightforward and efficient approach to documentation, focusing on the client’s data, your assessment, and the planned treatment without unnecessary complexity. With fewer sections, DAP notes may also be faster to complete than SOAP notes, for example, for some providers.
“I might not recommend DAP notes for a newer therapist, because in that case structure is a good thing,” says Natalia Tague, a licensed counselor in Virginia. “If you're more experienced and you’d prefer a shorter format, then maybe DAP is for you.” Learn how to write a DAP note.
