how to write soap notes speech therapy

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How to Write Excellent SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy

As a pediatric speech therapist, you know that defensible documentation (i.e., clear and detailed notes) is an essential part of demonstrating your skilled service and getting paid.

Whether you use clinic software or the old pen and paper method, managing your SOAP notes and evaluations can easily become overwhelming when working with multiple patients. But you don’t have to let that affect the quality of your notes.

In this article, I’ll cover some guidelines you can follow to improve your SLP documentation with or without speech therapy documentation software . And remember: better notes mean better therapy and less claim denials.

While every SLP has their own way to document their sessions, these guidelines can help you write notes that include the critical information and present those details in a way that’s easy to digest for caregivers and other therapists. I’ve also included a SOAP note template and some other helpful resources at the bottom of the post.

Feel free to take this information and tailor it to your own note-taking style!

What is the SOAP method?

If you need a refresher on the SOAP method of note taking here’s a reminder:

• S: Subjective. This is a statement about the relevant status or behavior that has been observed in your patient. Example: “Patient’s father said, ‘Her teacher said she can understand her better now.’”
• O: Objective. This section includes quantifiable, measurable, and observable data. “The patient produced /l/ in the final position of words with 70% accuracy.”
• A: Assessment. This is where you interpret what “S” and “O” mean in your report. Example: “The patient’s pronunciation has improved 10% since the last session with visual cues of tongue placement.”
• P: Plan. This is where you look ahead to anticipate the number of sessions needed and what the next session will involve. Example: The patient continues to improve with /I/ in the final position and is reaching goal status of /I/ in the initial position. The next session will focus on /I/ in the medial position.

Whether you’re using our SOAP note template, or you’re creating a template of your own, it will help to keep those details in mind.

How to Write a SOAP Note

The elements of a good SOAP note are largely the same regardless of your discipline.

Your SOAP notes should be no more than 1-2 pages long for each session. A given section will probably have 1-2 paragraphs in all (up to 3 when absolutely necessary).

That’s enough to give a solid overview of what each session involved, how the patient is progressing, and what you anticipate working on in the near future.

Consistency

Keep in mind that length requirements, exact formats, and abbreviations vary from one employer to the next. This is where a template can come in handy.

You should never hesitate to check your employee handbook or ask about the best way for you to handle your SOAP notes so that they are consistent with what your supervisors want to see.

Whenever you’re writing a SOAP note, be sure to keep its purpose in mind. Oftentimes, speech therapists write so many notes that they occasionally lose sight of the real purpose of these notes.

The purpose is to clearly inform caregivers and other therapists about the patient’s current status and progress. They’re also used to document the need for these sessions to an insurance company so that you can be reimbursed.

7 Documentation Guidelines for Better SLP SOAP Notes

Here are seven documentation guidelines that will help improve the quality of your SOAP Notes as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

#1 Use a template

Following a template will be beneficial to your management and organization techniques. You can find plenty of templates online and then adapt them to fit your own unique approach. (In fact, there’s a free SLP SOAP note template at the bottom of this post!)

You may not always fill out every section of the template for every patient report. If that’s the case, simply leave those sections blank and write in the information that’s important where it belongs.

Following a consistent structure will help you with reference, organization, and comparisons later on. It will improve your level of detailed documentation while also making it easier for you to “fill in the blanks” and finish your notes accurately.

A SOAP note template will also make sure that you are consistently tracking the most important information for each patient.

#2 Write a note for each session

In order to write defensible documentation, you should be creating a unique note for each and every appointment.

The note that you create for each child following every session should describe the patient’s goals and treatment in a way that’s relevant to each individual patient. Different activities and interventions should be clearly justified.

Avoid “cookie cutter” notes that are generic, vague, and/or look the same for all the children you work with. These are a red flag for insurance claims reviewers.

If you’re using EMR software, you should find an option with a wide selection of content that’s able to be customized with unique responses, outcomes, and goals tailored to each child.

#3 Figure out the patient’s goals

When it comes to your SOAP notes, writing goals is crucial. However, setting too many goals can hinder your treatment plan. So be specific to each patient when prioritizing the goals and think about what limitations are the most challenging for them in day-to-day life.

When you create goals, be sure that they are SMART goals . SMART goals are easier for caregivers and other involved parties to digest and support.

A SMART goal is:

• Relevant, and
• Time-Based.

SMART goals break down a goal so that you can look at each aspect and set a date for the goal to be reached.

They also allow you to plan what needs to happen along the way for you to get there.

Make sure each patient’s long-term goals are as functional as possible. You should set short-term goals that help them reach their long-term goals incrementally, keeping them motivated and on the right path.

#4 Don’t put your notes off

The best time to complete your notes is immediately after a session when everything is fresh in your mind. Putting off your notes will increase how long it will take you to be reimbursed for the treatment.

Additionally, the further removed you are from a session, the less you will be able to remember when it comes time to write your notes. This can hinder the treatment plan and lead to you forgetting important details.

#5 Ensure your notes are neat

If you are not using an electronic system and you have opted for pen and paper, be sure that your notes are neat and legible, not only for yourself but for your patients and their caregivers as well. Your notes should be easy to read and structured in a very clear, streamlined way.

One way to keep your notes easy to read is to print out your template and writing directly into the note when it makes sense (even if you don’t use that as your final note).

#6 Include the session’s important points

Documenting each individual session is how you provide evidence about the quality and efficacy of your treatment plan. When you forget or exclude details, caregivers can begin to question the quality of the care you’re providing.

The more details you’re able to write about a given session, the better. These details will help you stay consistent with your treatment methods and replicate your approach where needed.

They can also help you better communicate with other therapists who may be working with your patients to ensure they can pick up where you left off.

#7 Exclude unnecessary information

While you should be detailed with your reports and include all the important and pertinent information, don’t fill your reports with unnecessary information. This makes it harder to read, longer to write, and more difficult for others to process. It will also clutter your note review process.

Focus on writing better, not necessarily more. Know what information is needed in order to tell the story of functional outcomes and medical necessity for your treatment plan.

That’s how you write good notes that will ultimately be reimbursed.

Other Documentation Tips

Here are a few extra tips to help you with your documentation. Like the guidelines above, these tips will help reduce claim denials and improve the effectiveness of your therapy.

Use Speech Therapy Documentation Software

If you have not already begun to use therapy documentation software to keep track of your SOAP notes, there is no better time to start. Nothing beats the versatility, ease of sharing, and security of good speech therapy practice management software .

There are multiple systems out there that you may use to handle your SOAP notes. Your clinic may even already have one in place. If that’s the case, your priority should be learning how to use the system to the fullest.

Oftentimes, even if you know how the basics (like how to create and submit a new note), you may be missing out on some valuable tools that you haven’t yet learned how to access.

On the other hand, if you are still using pen and paper or just a basic Word template for your notes, it’s worth looking into an electronic system that can help you submit your notes more efficiently and be more accurate with your note-taking.

You can find both locally installed software for your work computer and even some cloud-based platforms that can be accessed online whenever you need them.

As times goes by and these systems become more advanced and convenient, it’s likely your clinic will be switching to one in the future anyway. Getting ahead of the curve and learning how to use one of the more popular systems can help you stay relevant in the workforce and may even open up new doors for you at another clinic where such systems are already in place.

Foster Positive Development

Perhaps the absolute best advice you can take as a SLP is getting caregivers actively involved in the speech development of their child. In your SOAP notes, you should be sure to document all home education programs and other activities the child is participating in to help develop their skills.

This is also required by many insurance companies who have requirements for caregiver education and home programs. You should document all education that you are providing to the caregiver including any training you provided about interventions and strategies they can implement at home.

Double-Check Your Notes

In addition to including pertinent information that will help your patient with their development, you also need to double-check all your notes against a template and your clinical guidelines to ensure that you will be reimbursed by the insurance company for your work.

You should also know what services you should be billing for and make sure you are documenting them accurately. Additionally, know when you should bill for the time spent completing your notes as that can be a time-consuming process as well.

Use Action Words

Using action words helps to demonstrate the skilled services that you are providing, which is something insurance companies look for when reviewing claims.

You can find multiple “cheat sheets” online filled with action words tailored for your SLP SOAP notes. These action words can help speed up the note-taking process while also assisting you with documenting the skilled speech therapy services you are providing. accurate, detailed documentation for each session you complete with a patient.

Some key action words include: adapted, addressed, adjusted, clarified, coached, collected, delivered, demonstrated, drilled, established, evaluated, expanded, familiarized, formulated, guided, habituated, identified, initiated, monitored, observed, prompted, reinforced, and so on.

The use of action words can help better illustrate a challenge, progress, or goal that you are attempting to document. Using the right action words can help make your notes clearer and more concise while adding significant value to everything you detail about a given session.

Study Good Examples

The last tip for perfecting your SOAP note-taking method, is to find some great examples to learn from.

Search the web for sample SOAP notes for speech language therapy or ask your colleagues for examples of well done SOAP notes. Then you can model the structure and flow of your notes on them.

Free SOAP Note Template (And More!)

This kit includes:

• SOAP Note Template
• 7 Tips to Improve Your Pediatric Documentation Handout
• SOAP Note Checklist Handout
• SOAP Note Examples

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SOAP Note Format for Speech Therapy Sessions: What is It?

#1. s is for subjective, #2. o is for objective, #3. a is for assessment, #4. p is for planning, electronic soap note example, how to write speech therapy soap notes (with examples).

According to the statistics , there are around 13,000 practising SLPs in the UK and around 2.5 million people in the UK have a speech or language difficulty:

• 5% of children enter school with difficulties in speech and language
• 30% of people who have had a stroke have a persisting speech and language disorder.

In terms of the functional duties of a speech therapist, we can single out one very significant duty that should not be overlooked. This is the completion of the necessary documentation in the prescribed form to meet the demands of a huge number of these people. A clinician's ability to manage it is one of the most important indicators of their professionalism.

A therapist devotes a lot of time to writing session notes, conclusions, characteristics, representations, and the design of speech cards. Thus, he should use his working time rationally.

Learn how to simplify your practice workflow and free up more time for patients with Medesk.

When identifying children with peculiarities not only regarding speech development, he makes suggestions for further successful plan of care, or, if necessary, refers them to a specialist (neuropsychiatrist, neuropathologist, otolaryngologist, etc.).

Therefore, in order to save more time on the selection of the necessary phrases, special expressions, and formulations, we have selected a few suggestions for daily notes that simplify filling out the documents, while maintaining their content and accuracy. As a result, they are better able to organize their work and develop their skills in the field of speech-language pathology.

A SOAP note format is one of the most effective ways to fill out a progress note. We are planning to teach you how to use this tool in your private practice. In addition, we are going to give you some lifehacks and tips that will make the client's progress a reality.

SOAP notes are widely used by various specialists: mental health professionals , psychologists, caregivers, and speech-language pathologists.

When filling out a document for clients, it is necessary to know the content of regulatory documents related to this issue. It is also necessary to remember the age and individual characteristics of the person based on his diagnostic data, and take into account the results of speech development.

This information is included in the soap note template.

The subjective section contains information about the actual state of the patient. Ideally, this part of the notes should be as true to life as possible. What does it mean?

The doctor keeps track of the complaints and speech issues of the patient, as well as other significant information about the patient. He must report only the words of the clients, but not his own thoughts and ideas. It’s not the time for it.

The first priority is to take stock of symptoms and make up a potential and theoretical treatment plan (but not to put it down). Try to use direct speech.

More frequently, the clients of speech pathologists are children, accompanied by their parents. So, sometimes you listen to both of them.

Medesk helps automate scheduling and record-keeping, allowing you to recreate an individual approach to each patient, providing them with maximum attention.

For example, you can mention:

• Mrs. Smith (Billy’s mother) claims that the child has speech development problems.
• "The child suffered pneumonia at an early age."
• The mother claims that the child prefers to work with his left hand.
• "I find it difficult to come up with a word for a given sound."
• "Billy has been stuttering since he was 3 years old."
• "He is inconsiderate and impulsive."

The objective section of the notes contains your thoughts, prognoses and conclusions as a professional. The name of the section makes it pretty obvious. Test results, questionnaires, physical examination, fine and gross motor skills, articulation and tempo, speech intelligibility, breathing characteristics, and any other measurable indicators should be included in this section.

You can also provide some additional information (brief – psychological and pedagogical characteristics), if applicable.

The main rule is to avoid value judgments and be completely unbiased.

In the table below you’ll find different aspects to include in the objective part of a treatment note and some examples of possible answers.

The assessment section summarizes the achievements of two previous sections. Note-taking at this stage includes analysis of subjective and objective information and interpretation of the whole session.

Now you are finally free to use professional terms and acronyms, as this part of the notes is for professional use only. And if you aren’t able to continue the therapy, a substitute therapist will easily know what to do thanks to your notes from the last session.

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It should be noted that there is no need to repeat the S and O sections. And also, it’s a bit early to make plans - just wait for the next stage and follow the SOAP structure.

As an example, we give you some assessments of the difficulties of educational material’s assimilation (a child in a primary school):

• Difficulties of adaptation in a school institution;
• Violation of motor skills in the form of insufficient coordination of movements;
• Pedagogical neglect due to unfavorable social conditions of the child;
• Disadvantages of attention, emotional-volitional regulation, self-control;
• Motor disinhibition, hyperactivity;
• Verbal and logical thinking is poorly developed;
• Insufficient development of coherent speech;
• Neurotic and neurosis-like states (fears, tics, mild stuttering, enuresis, etc.)

The last stage of note-taking is creating future plans for treatment. The plan section contains goals and recommendations for the follow-ups, even some handouts, since the plan is for a client and other healthcare professionals, who will take part in his treatment.

When writing any kind of counseling notes , set goals in the final section and make sure they are realistic and measurable. It's vital for a patient to remain motivated and to believe in recovery. You can easily split the goals into small ones to make a client’s performance and progress more transparent.

Moreover, the plan makes arranging individual sessions easier. Therefore, as a professional who wishes to get the greatest profit for given help, you increase your chances of setting up the next session.

As a bonus, we’ve collected some recommendations you can include in the plan stage:

• Avoid intellectual and psychological stress;
• The child needs an individual approach and constant supervision by adults;
• In order to compensate and equalize the shortcomings of physical, mental and speech development, avoiding overloads, it is recommended to repeat the course of study (or study in a special correctional school);
• It is recommended to consult with specialists...
• Additional rest is recommended;
• Conducting an additional examination in order to determine the child's need for further education, taking into account his level of development;
• The child needs step-by-step guidance and frequent changes in activities;
• Continuation of speech therapy classes according to the schedule 2-3 times a week for 45 minutes;
• Attending a special (correctional) school;
• Classes with parents aimed at developing motor functions, designing, classifying, viewing pictures, reading fairy tales, playing the story; plot-role-playing games; fixing the use of gestures for communication; development of auditory perception (differentiation of sounding toys, sounding pictures in books), onomatopoeia.

The SOAP format of making notes has proven itself as a convenient, simple, but effective technique.

But do you remember that you should make notes during every session?

Though filling four sections of a note is rather simple, it takes a lot of time and strength to do it manually.

For professionals with a large patient flow (and we are sure, you belong to this category), the use of Electronic Health Records is a must.

The benefits of the software are obvious:

• All necessary stages of your future notes are pre-set for you (with templates ready to be printed)
• You can use an autofill option for the most general data
• The interface is easy and makes it possible to fill out the information right during the session with minimal distractions for the patient.
• It's unreal that the notes have been lost. All data is securely stored.

A good SOAP note is the result of the thorough work of a speech specialist. But you can make your practice much easier by implementing EHR in your therapy service.

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How to Write SOAP Notes For Speech Therapy: A Step-By-Step Guide (With Examples)

March 16, 2022, share this post.

What are SOAP notes and why are they important for speech therapy? 

Subjective .

• Patient's medical history 
• Symptoms or complaints related to the reason for speech therapy 
• Perception and feelings about the patient's condition and therapy 
• Patient's functional abilities and needs in daily life 
• Goals or expectations about speech therapy 
• Other information that could impact performance or progress in therapy, e.g., poor sleep 

Objective  

• Results of speech therapy assessments and measurements 
• Description of the speech therapy interventions you provide 
• Observations about the patient's function 
• Observations about the patient's participation in therapy  
• Record of what happened during the visit and number of visits provided 

Assessment  

• Progress toward patient outcomes and goals; whether or not a goal has been met 
• Lack of progress toward goals, and reasons why, i.e., complicating factors 
• Change in functional level or impairment severity compared to the evaluation or previous treatment sessions 
• Inconsistencies between the subjective data and objective data, or differences between what is reported and what is observed during the visit 
• When the patient's next visit is scheduled and what will be done to facilitate progress toward goals 
• How many visits the patient has remaining before discharge from speech therapy 
• Plans to consult with other health providers, e.g., doctor, PT, or OT 
• What the patient, family, or caregiver will do to support therapy at home or what they need to do before the next treatment session 
• Any resources that need to be prepared before the next visit  
• Changes that will be made to the treatment plan, e.g., upgrade goals that were met or discharge ineffective interventions 

Putting It All Together 

Dana Parker (PTA)

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How to Write Soap Notes Efficiently for SLPs, OTs, PTs & Therapists

•   •   ABA , Assessment , Medical Necessity , Mental Health , Practice Management , Tips, Tools, & Tech

What is a SOAP Note?

The Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) Note is an acronym representing a well-known framework for multidisciplinary therapy progress notes. A progress note reflects what was done in a specific session and the uniformity of the SOAP template makes it easier for colleagues and other clinicians to understand your sessions. SOAP notes are also the easiest way to make sure you are including each of your patient’s insurance company’s requirements, as well as advocating for your patient’s medical necessity.

Using the acronym SOAP, the progress note should include subjective, objective, assessment, and plan data. The SOAP note is an efficient way to document in an organized and structured way for:

If your practice offers services such as Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), or any additional therapy and wants to increase efficiency and streamline documentation , our SOAP notes tips are a great place to start.

Therapy SOAP Note Definitions

Let’s start with a definition for each section of the therapy SOAP note:

The subjective section of your SOAP notes is dedicated to how the patient describes their symptoms from their point of view. You can get a better description of patient symptoms and experiences by asking open-ended questions like “what do you think is wrong?” or “what’s been going on?”.

The objective section is factual and based on your observations as a therapist or healthcare clinician. This may include results of:

• evidence-based tools
• vital signs
• physical manifestations of symptoms
• any other data relevant to your patient’s case

The assessment section contains all your observations, conclusions, and any diagnosis you have. Make sure to include your reasons with the relevant evidence for these conclusions. In the case of multiple sessions, this section is a place to track the patient’s progress.

The plan refers to your treatment program and your plan for the patient’s next appointment. Include your patient’s feedback and response to your treatment plan, as well as any homework or exercises you have given them to complete before the next session. Be as specific as possible.

Now we’ve defined a SOAP note, let’s go over some best practices that your OT, PT, SLP or ABA therapy practice can implement right now for more efficient SOAP notes.

3 Tips for More Efficient SOAP Notes

Here are 3 tips for SLPs, PTs, OTs & ABA Therapy SOAP Notes:

1. Stick to the Facts

It is important to stick to the facts and provide relevant evidence. Be sure to give a clear picture of what happened during the session and be specific as possible.

Let’s take a look at this Speech Therapy note for example:

Client read “ Good Night Gorilla ” and completed labeling, sequencing, and retelling tasks with 90% accuracy. But he was so tired today. He also produced word-final /k/ on 5/7 trials with visual prompts in single words, and minimal cues. Need to continue using strategies at home and target /k/ and /g/ phonemes.

This is improved from previous sessions, though mild articulation deficits remain and some phonological processes such as final consonant omission and fronting are ongoing. Client benefits from visual cues and is making good progress. Overall expressive language skills improved too.

Implementing the SOAP note framework will help clarify and streamline the data, here is the updated note:

S – Client appeared tired today, reporting waking up several times at night due to night terrors, but was cooperative throughout session.

O – Clinician read “Good Night Gorilla” and client labeled 6/7 animals independently; “armadillo” was challenging. He then organized the animals in the correct order of appearance 7/7 independently and re-told the story correctly. Client pinned the tail on each animal producing the final /k/ sound on 5/7 target words with minimal visual prompts.

A – Client demonstrates improved expressive language, sequencing skills, and articulation overall, though some fronting and final-consonant omissions are ongoing. He benefits from visual cues. Speech intelligibility has improved from prior sessions and client is making good progress toward goals.

P – Continue ST as per plan of care. Target word-final /g/ phoneme and read “ Good Night Moon ” next session.

2. Be Mindful of Colleagues

To help your therapy patients more effectively, it is important to be conscientious about the fact that other clinicians will be reading and reviewing your notes. This includes collaborating with an in-house treatment team and outside sources such as a representative from the patient’s commercial insurance plan.

Be sure not to use shorthand, jargon, or made-up acronyms – instead, utilize common industry terminology and language. This ensures all readers will understand the note and leads to more effective patient care with multidisciplinary collaboration.

3. Implement an EMR (Electronic Medical Records) System

When everyone in your therapy practice uses the same system to access patient data, they have easy access to everything they need without having to dig through paper files or email attachments. This means no more opening multiple tabs on the computer just to find out what services the patient received last week.

With an electronic EMR, EHR , or practice management software, you will have fewer errors on documents like treatment plans, session notes, and insurance claims because the system automatically checks data entry for accuracy before it reaches your patients or payors. This saves time and prevents costly mistakes that can damage your reputation with patients and insurers alike.

Learn more about practice management software for your multidisciplinary therapy practice.

About the Author

Speech-Language Pathologist & Sales Consultant

Olga is a Speech and Language Pathologist with over 12 years of experience in the field, specializing in swallow disorders, accent modification, and speech therapy services for adults working to improve overall personal and professional communication skills. Olga received her Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Linguistics from the University of Michigan in 2007 and her Masters in Communication Science and Disorders from Wayne State University in 2010.

She has since worked in several states and healthcare settings, currently residing in Northern VA and providing speech therapy services to clients via teletherapy and in acute care at three local hospitals.

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Guide: SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy

As a speech pathologist , it’s important that your SOAP notes are well-structured, accurate, comprehensive, and helpful for both you and your client. This helps ensure that clients receive the best care possible, making your job easier. But when you’re juggling multiple responsibilities, note-taking can suffer. Fortunately, with the right approach, it’s possible to ensure that your SOAP notes are of the highest quality.

What Is a SOAP Note in Speech-Language Pathology?

SOAP notes are widely used for documenting the progress and treatment of clients in various healthcare fields, such as general practice, mental health , and speech therapy. SOAP notes provide a structured format to succinctly document a client’s information , such as reported symptoms and concerns, observations from the clinician, any measurable data, an assessment of the client’s condition, and a plan for treatment moving forward.

Your SOAP notes not only serve as a record of the client’s progress, but they also help to communicate important information to other healthcare team members. Whether you’re a seasoned speech therapist or just starting out, understanding how to write effective SOAP notes is essential to providing top-notch care to your clients.

Recommended SOAP Note Format for Speech Therapy Clinics

SOAP stands for S ubjective, O bjective, A ssessment and P lan. These four components of a SOAP note provide a framework for the documentation of speech therapy sessions. In the sections below, we’ll go into more detail about each element.

This section is all about what the client is experiencing. It should address client concerns, symptoms, and any other relevant information reported, including the history of treatment, current lifestyle, and any external factors affecting the client.

While this section may contain subjective observations of the client’s mood and demeanor, try to keep things as factual as possible. For example, rather than saying, “The client seemed anxious.” you could say, “The client reported feeling anxious.”. You should also record any medications the client is currently taking.

When writing the objective section of a SOAP note, you should document any measurable or observable information you’ve gathered during your assessment. This includes data such as physical examination findings, vocal range articulation and vocal quality. Record the results here if you perform tests such as a standardized assessment, an audiogram or a hearing test.

This part of your SOAP note should include a summary of your observations and an analysis of the client’s condition. If you come to any conclusions or diagnoses, make sure to include these. This section should be detailed and provide a clear framework for the rest of your note.

Finally, the plan section will include your proposed treatment plan. This could involve regular therapy sessions, advice on lifestyle changes, recommended exercises or any other interventions you deem necessary. Also include how you’ll review the client’s progress, and what goals you have for them to achieve.

How to Write SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy

Here are a few handy tips to help you get started:

Use a SOAP Note Template

Using a template for SOAP notes can help you write clear and consistent notes, saving time by allowing you to fill in the necessary information quickly. By using the same template for all your notes, you can ensure that each note contains the necessary information and is easy to read.

A template also helps to keep your notes cohesive. This provides a consistent structure for all of your SOAP notes, making them easier for other team members to follow and understand.

Be Overly Descriptive

You might be tempted to shorten and quickly sum up your notes to save time – don’t do it! It’s crucial to be detailed and descriptive when writing SOAP notes for speech pathology. It will help you provide a comprehensive overview of the client’s progress.

It’s better to over-explain than to under-explain. Your notes should include any goals set in the session, any interventions used, the date and time of any events, and a detailed record of any observations made during the session.

Write SOAP Notes Immediately Following a Session

It’s strongly recommended that you develop SOAP notes immediately after the speech therapy session. Recalling details is much easier when events are still fresh in your mind. If you wait too long to write up the notes, details may become distorted or forgotten, leading to misunderstandings and inaccurate records.

Make Notes Easy to Understand

Having legible notes ensures that third parties can understand and interpret information. Avoid any kind of shorthand or obscure abbreviations when writing SOAP notes for speech therapy.

Arrange your notes logically and chronologically and separate each section clearly. This improves the readability of your notes and makes it easier for others to understand the information. It’s possible that third parties may need to use your notes for diagnostic purposes or accommodations, so they must be accessible.

Use Direct Quotes

If possible, use direct quotes to illustrate client progress. For example, if the client was able to say a particular word for the first time during their speech therapy session, you could use a direct quote to note this. Doing so provides a more accurate and vivid representation of what occurred during the session. It’s also a useful way of recording client symptoms and progress objectively.

Include Measurable Data

Where possible, include measurable data to give a more accurate report of the client’s progress. For example, if you notice that they’re able to pronounce a certain phrase correctly, note the number of times they could say it in your notes. This provides an objective measure of client progress, which can be used to inform future interventions.

Compare Progress to Previous Sections

Comparing the client’s progress to performance in previous sessions can be illuminating. It allows you to see how they’ve improved over time and any areas that may need additional work or intervention.

By pointing out this information to the client, you can help encourage and motivate them as they strive towards their goals. You can also use this data to adjust the plan of action to better support the client’s needs. It’s a powerful way of demonstrating their progress and provides a sense of accomplishment.

Do a Double-Check

Last, but not least, it’s essential to double-check SOAP notes before submitting them. Some insurance providers may reject reimbursement claims if any sections are missing, so check for gaps or inconsistencies. Even the most experienced clinician can make mistakes (especially when managing a busy caseload), so take the time to review your notes for accuracy and completeness.

Questions to Answer with Your Speech Therapy SOAP Notes

A helpful way of framing your SOAP notes for speech therapy is to ask yourself what information you’d hope to gain by reading someone else’s notes. You can even run through a checklist of questions to ensure you include relevant information.

Here are a few questions to consider when writing SOAP notes:

• What are the client’s goals?
• In what areas is the client progressing?
• In what areas does the client need improvement?
• Is the client ready to finish speech therapy services?
• How was the client’s attitude and behaviour?
• Should any changes be made to their treatment plan?
• What was the outcome of the session?

Asking yourself these questions helps ensure your SOAP notes provide a comprehensive overview of the client’s progress. This also helps to make sure that all relevant information is captured, which can be helpful for third parties that may need to access the notes.

Examples of SOAP Notes for Speech-Language Pathologists

Here are two fictional examples of SOAP notes for speech-language pathologists:

Example 1: Initial Evaluation SOAP Note

Subjective:.

• Client presented with concerns about difficulty speaking clearly and being understood by others.
• Client also mentioned feeling self-conscious about their speech and avoiding social situations because of it.
• Client demonstrated significant difficulty with articulation and phonological processes, including substitutions, omissions and distortions.
• Client also displayed moderate receptive language delays in understanding complex instructions.

Assessment:

• Based on initial evaluation data, the client is presenting with a severe speech disorder impacting their daily communication skills. Further assessment is needed to determine specific areas of need for treatment.
• Refer the client for further assessments, including formal speech and language evaluations.
• Begin therapy sessions to address speech sound disorders, incorporating evidence-based techniques such as motor-based approaches and phonological awareness activities.
• Provide education and resources for family members to support the client’s communication needs at home.

Example 2: Progress Note

• Client reports progress with speech therapy sessions and increased confidence in their verbal communication.
• Client demonstrated improved articulation skills, reducing the number of errors from 60% to 20%.
• Client also displayed improved expressive language abilities, using more complex sentence structures.
• Based on progress data, the client is showing significant improvements in both articulation and expressive language skills. Client’s self-esteem and confidence have also improved.
• Continue therapy sessions focused on speech sound disorders, incorporating activities to further improve articulation accuracy.
• Expand therapy goals to include increasing expressive language abilities and targeting specific communication situations identified by the client as challenging.
• Encourage continued practice of communication strategies in daily life.
• Provide resources for ongoing support and practice at home.
• Schedule a follow-up assessment in 2 months to monitor progress and adjust therapy goals as needed.

Benefits of Using Electronic Speech Therapy Notes

Using an electronic method of recording SOAP notes for speech therapy provides many benefits for busy clinicians:

• Time-efficient : Typing notes into a computer or tablet is much faster than handwriting each note. This can save significant time and energy during a session, allowing clinicians to spend more time engaging with their clients.
• Accurate and easy to read : Computer-generated text is much easier to read than handwriting, especially if multiple clinicians need to access the notes.
• Searchable : Electronic notes can easily be searched using keywords, saving time when revisiting previous notes or looking for certain topics. This makes it easier to access information quickly and efficiently.

By taking advantage of these features, clinicians can spend more time focusing on client progress and goals, and less time worrying about note-taking. Ultimately, this can help to improve the quality of care that clients receive.

Write SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy with Power Diary

Power Diary is a comprehensive client management and appointment booking solution that will help streamline your practice. Our intuitive user interface makes it easy to capture SOAP notes for speech therapy in an efficient and secure way.

Practice Management Software for SLPs

Practice management software transforms the daily grind for Speech-Language Pathologists into a smoother, more efficient process. The software’s ability to store detailed, accessible SOAP notes allows you to document client progress accurately and securely. This not only helps in tracking therapeutic outcomes but also provides a record for future reference, contributing to a more coordinated care approach. It’s like having a digital assistant that organizes schedules, keeps detailed client notes available when needed, and ensures everyone on the team is on the same page.

If you’re interested in learning more about Power Diary and how it can help you write SOAP notes for speech therapy, start a free trial today.

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The Orange Effect Foundation

Empowering children and young adults with speech disorders

Writing Excellent SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy: 5 Steps

November 11, 2021 By Orange Effect Administrator

Working with children and adults with a speech impairment is a noble endeavor. You can help hundreds of people overcome their speech disabilities if you dedicate your career to the cause. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association , 5-10% of Americans have some form of communication disorder, with nearly 7% experiencing language impairment, aphasia being most commonplace. 

To make your treatments as effective as possible, you can adopt the SOAP notes writing approach to your medical reports writing. SOAP is an objective, structured way for medical professionals to organize their thoughts and index them for future reference. What is SOAP all about and how can you use it in speech therapy to help your patients overcome their impairments?

SOAP Notes 101 and the Benefits of Utilizing Them

SOAP is a writing system adopted by numerous doctors and medical practitioners around the globe due to its simplicity and flexibility. It is also a built-in feature in many readily available EMR software applications . SOAP is an acronym that consists of four elements:

• Subjective – What does the patient say about their issue?
• Objective – What does the medical exam say about their issue?
• Assessment – What is your professional opinion on the issue?
• Plan – What is your recommended treatment for the issue?

There are numerous reasons to use SOAP to write your notes in speech therapy . Whether you’re working in a hospital or as a private practitioner, SOAP will make your job easier by helping you organize your findings. You will be able to outline exactly what the patient thinks about their ailment and then write your conclusions to the physical exam after. This helps reduce the length of the examination, makes storing patient data more straightforward, and enables you to recommend the right speech therapy for your patients.

Writing Excellent SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy

• Create a Template to Fill in with Patient Information

Creating a template for your SOAP notes before seeing your speech-impaired patients will make your meetings more productive. With a template consisting of four separate subheadings, you can take quick notes while also talking to them actively. This will allow you to pay more attention to what they’re saying and write down notes between checking their current condition. Your template can be created in a traditional text editor, a cloud writing platform, or an EMR app. For private practitioners, renting EMR software may be pricey so alternatives are also welcome.

• Write Down Keywords and Phrases without Complex Sentences

To speed up the process of taking SOAP notes, you should avoid writing complex sentences with paragraphs of text. There is no need for you to thoroughly explain what happened in the meeting in great detail – you were there. The notes you take are there to help you keep track of your speech impaired patients and no one apart from you will see them. This means you can write notes in whichever style you like, be it by writing keywords down or a short sentence for each SOAP element.

• Take New Notes Whenever You See Patients Again

Given that you are likely to see the same patients more than once, you should take new SOAP notes every time. Your patients’ condition may have changed and you might notice improvements or declines in their speech therapy. Comparing new notes to previous sessions will allow you to map out a better treatment program for each patient. Moreover, it will ensure that you don’t overlook even the most minor detail in your SOAP notes.

• Date, Sign, and Double-Check your Notes After Sessions

To keep things as organized as possible, you should date and sign your SOAP notes whenever you’re done with them. Once your session has finished, go over what you wrote to spot any grammar mistakes or formatting issues. Be especially mindful of the treatment and medicine prescription you’ve assigned (if any) since spelling errors can have consequences. When you’re satisfied with the SOAP notes you took for that session, add your physical or digital signature to the document and file it away.

• Write Down Key Takeaways from the Session in Freehand

It’s always a good idea to outline the key points and takeaways you took from the speech therapy session. In your personal opinion, how well is the patient handling their treatment and how can you help them get closer to their goals? Speech treatment is a highly subjective field where no two patients have the same diagnosis or the extent of it. Think about the SOAP notes you wrote down and write a takeaway for the session before closing the file for now.

SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Now that we’ve seen how SOAP notes can help you in treating speech impairment, it’s important to note several potential mistakes to avoid. While SOAP is extremely effective at helping you organize, you can also find yourself in a position where you automatically, mandatorily fill in blanks. 

According to a published medical study , SOAP can often narrow your field of view by requiring you to follow a set path toward treatment. In it, the writers postulated that APSO (Assessment, Plan, Subjective, Objective) may be more practical and that SOAP should be retrofitted on a case-by-case basis. Each entry in your medical reports has to be written meaningfully and with good reasons – which is why you should avoid the following:

• Writing unsourced, anonymous entries into your SOAP notes
• Avoid unclear sentences without conclusions or tangible data
• Don’t repeat yourself in your SOAP notes – only state certain things once
• Write original treatments and recommendations for each patient – don’t copy/paste
• Always proofread, format, and sign your SOAP notes

The purpose of using SOAP for your notes for speech therapy is to ultimately make treating your patients easier. It is a convenient, tried, and tested system for organizing patient findings and writing medical reports. 

Today, SOAP is best used via a dedicated EMR app which would make indexing and storing patient data easier than through manual writing. Consider the steps outlined in the previous paragraphs in your practice and see if you can use them to improve your patients’ wellbeing. Even if all it does is help organize your writing, SOAP is still a worthwhile addition to any medical practitioner’s toolset.

Jessica Fender is a researcher and academic content creator. Her job is to facilitate student learning – she creates educational content that aligns with search queries “ write my thesis for me ” and “hire writer.” When Jessica has free time, she enjoys reading, blogging, and hiking.

About Orange Effect Administrator

Meet the Voice Behind the Orange Effect Foundation - your go-to source for valuable insights and resources! The Orange Effect Administrator curates and shares posts tailored for speech therapists, passionate OEF supporters, grant recipients, and parents of children facing speech disorders. Explore our blog to stay informed, inspired, and connected with our vibrant community.

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How to Write a SOAP Note for Speech Therapy

As a pediatric speech therapist, you know that defensible documentation (i.e., clear and detailed notes) is an essential part of demonstrating your skilled service and getting paid.

Whether you use  clinic software  or the old pen and paper method, managing your SOAP notes and evaluations can easily become overwhelming when working with multiple patients. But you don’t have to let that affect the quality of your notes.

In this article, I’ll cover some guidelines you can follow to improve your SLP documentation with or without  speech therapy documentation software . And remember: better notes mean better therapy and less claim denials.

While every SLP has their own way to document their sessions, these guidelines can help you write notes that include the critical information and present those details in a way that’s easy to digest for caregivers and other therapists. I’ve also included a SOAP note template and some other helpful resources at the bottom of the post.

Feel free to take this information and tailor it to your own note-taking style!

What is the SOAP method?

If you need a refresher on the SOAP method of note taking here’s a reminder:

• S: Subjective.  This is a statement about the relevant status or behavior that has been observed in your patient. Example: “Patient’s father said, ‘Her teacher said she can understand her better now.’”
• O: Objective.  This section includes quantifiable, measurable, and observable data. “The patient produced /l/ in the final position of words with 70% accuracy.”
• A: Assessment.  This is where you interpret what “S” and “O” mean in your report. Example: “The patient’s pronunciation has improved 10% since the last session with visual cues of tongue placement.”
• P: Plan.  This is where you look ahead to anticipate the number of sessions needed and what the next session will involve. Example: The patient continues to improve with /I/ in the final position and is reaching goal status of /I/ in the initial position. The next session will focus on /I/ in the medial position.

Whether you’re using our SOAP note template, or you’re creating a template of your own, it will help to keep those details in mind.

How to Write a SOAP Note

The  elements of a good SOAP note  are largely the same regardless of your discipline.

Your SOAP notes should be no more than 1-2 pages long for each session. A given section will probably have 1-2 paragraphs in all (up to 3 when absolutely necessary).

That’s enough to give a solid overview of what each session involved, how the patient is progressing, and what you anticipate working on in the near future.

Consistency

Keep in mind that length requirements, exact formats, and abbreviations vary from one employer to the next. This is where a template can come in handy.

You should never hesitate to check your employee handbook or ask about the best way for you to handle your SOAP notes so that they are consistent with what your supervisors want to see.

Whenever you’re writing a SOAP note, be sure to keep its purpose in mind. Oftentimes, speech therapists write so many notes that they occasionally lose sight of the real purpose of these notes.

The purpose is to clearly inform caregivers and other therapists about the patient’s current status and progress. They’re also used to document the need for these sessions to an insurance company so that you can be reimbursed.

7 Documentation Guidelines for Better SLP SOAP Notes

Here are seven documentation guidelines that will help improve the quality of your SOAP Notes as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

#1 Use a template

Following a template will be beneficial to your management and organization techniques. You can find plenty of templates online and then adapt them to fit your own unique approach. (In fact, here’s a  free SLP SOAP note template !)

You may not always fill out every section of the template for every patient report. If that’s the case, simply leave those sections blank and write in the information that’s important where it belongs.

Following a consistent structure will help you with reference, organization, and comparisons later on. It will improve your level of detailed documentation while also making it easier for you to “fill in the blanks” and finish your notes accurately.

A SOAP note template will also make sure that you are consistently tracking the most important information for each patient.

#2 Write a note for each session

In order to write defensible documentation, you should be creating a unique note for each and every appointment.

The note that you create for each child following every session should describe the patient’s goals and treatment in a way that’s relevant to each individual patient. Different activities and interventions should be clearly justified.

Avoid “cookie cutter” notes that are generic, vague, and/or look the same for all the children you work with. These are a red flag for insurance claims reviewers.

If you’re using EMR software, you should find an option with a wide selection of content that’s able to be customized with unique responses, outcomes, and goals tailored to each child.

#3 Figure out the patient’s goals

When it comes to your SOAP notes, writing goals is crucial. However, setting too many goals can hinder your treatment plan. So be specific to each patient when prioritizing the goals and think about what limitations are the most challenging for them in day-to-day life.

When you create goals, be sure that they are  SMART goals . SMART goals are easier for caregivers and other involved parties to digest and support.

A SMART goal is:

• Relevant, and
• Time-Based.

SMART goals break down a goal so that you can look at each aspect and set a date for the goal to be reached.

They also allow you to plan what needs to happen along the way for you to get there.

Make sure each patient’s long-term goals are as functional as possible. You should set short-term goals that help them reach their long-term goals incrementally, keeping them motivated and on the right path.

#4 Don’t put your notes off

The best time to complete your notes is immediately after a session when everything is fresh in your mind. Putting off your notes will increase how long it will take you to be reimbursed for the treatment.

Additionally, the further removed you are from a session, the less you will be able to remember when it comes time to write your notes. This can hinder the treatment plan and lead to you forgetting important details.

#5 Ensure your notes are neat

If you are not using an electronic system and you have opted for pen and paper, be sure that your notes are neat and legible, not only for yourself but for your patients and their caregivers as well. Your notes should be easy to read and structured in a very clear, streamlined way.

One way to keep your notes easy to read is to print out your template and writing directly into the note when it makes sense (even if you don’t use that as your final note).

#6 Include the session’s important points

Documenting each individual session is how you provide evidence about the quality and efficacy of your treatment plan. When you forget or exclude details, caregivers can begin to question the quality of the care you’re providing.

The more details you’re able to write about a given session, the better. These details will help you stay consistent with your treatment methods and replicate your approach where needed.

They can also help you better communicate with other therapists who may be working with your patients to ensure they can pick up where you left off.

#7 Exclude unnecessary information

While you should be detailed with your reports and include all the important and pertinent information, don’t fill your reports with unnecessary information. This makes it harder to read, longer to write, and more difficult for others to process. It will also clutter your note review process.

Focus on writing better, not necessarily more. Know what information is needed in order to tell the story of functional outcomes and medical necessity for your treatment plan.

That’s how you write good notes that will ultimately be reimbursed.

Other Documentation Tips

Here are a few extra tips to help you with your documentation. Like the guidelines above, these tips will help reduce claim denials and improve the effectiveness of your therapy.

Use Speech Therapy Documentation Software

If you have not already begun to use  therapy documentation software  to keep track of your SOAP notes, there is no better time to start. Nothing beats the versatility, ease of sharing, and security of good  speech therapy practice management software .

There are multiple systems out there that you may use to handle your SOAP notes. Your clinic may even already have one in place. If that’s the case, your priority should be learning how to use the system to the fullest.

Oftentimes, even if you know how the basics (like how to create and submit a new note), you may be missing out on some valuable tools that you haven’t yet learned how to access.

On the other hand, if you are still using pen and paper or just a basic Word template for your notes, it’s worth looking into an electronic system that can help you submit your notes more efficiently and be more accurate with your note-taking.

You can find both locally installed software for your work computer and even some  cloud-based platforms  that can be accessed online whenever you need them.

As times goes by and these systems become more advanced and convenient, it’s likely your clinic will be switching to one in the future anyway. Getting ahead of the curve and learning how to use one of the more popular systems can help you stay relevant in the workforce and may even open up new doors for you at another clinic where such systems are already in place.

Foster Positive Development

Perhaps the absolute best advice you can take as a SLP is getting caregivers actively involved in the speech development of their child. In your SOAP notes, you should be sure to document all home education programs and other activities the child is participating in to help develop their skills.

This is also required by many insurance companies who have requirements for caregiver education and home programs. You should document all education that you are providing to the caregiver including any training you provided about interventions and strategies they can implement at home.

Double-Check Your Notes

In addition to including pertinent information that will help your patient with their development, you also need to double-check all your notes against a template and your clinical guidelines to ensure that you will be reimbursed by the insurance company for your work.

You should also know what services you should be billing for and make sure you are documenting them accurately. Additionally, know when you should bill for the time spent completing your notes as that can be a time-consuming process as well.

Use Action Words

Using action words helps to demonstrate the skilled services that you are providing, which is something insurance companies look for when reviewing claims.

You can find multiple “cheat sheets” online filled with action words tailored for your SLP SOAP notes. These action words can help speed up the note-taking process while also assisting you with documenting the skilled speech therapy services you are providing. accurate, detailed documentation for each session you complete with a patient.

Some key action words include: adapted, addressed, adjusted, clarified, coached, collected, delivered, demonstrated, drilled, established, evaluated, expanded, familiarized, formulated, guided, habituated, identified, initiated, monitored, observed, prompted, reinforced, and so on.

The use of action words can help better illustrate a challenge, progress, or goal that you are attempting to document. Using the right action words can help make your notes clearer and more concise while adding significant value to everything you detail about a given session.

Study Good Examples

The last tip for perfecting your SOAP note-taking method, is to find some great examples to learn from.

Search the web for sample SOAP notes for speech language therapy or ask your colleagues for examples of well done SOAP notes. Then you can model the structure and flow of your notes on them.

• Therapy Brands
• July 18, 2018

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Speech Therapy SOAP Note Templates and Examples

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are vital in assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. Accurate documentation in speech therapy, such as SOAP notes, is essential for effective treatment planning and progress tracking. These notes serve as a critical communication tool, ensuring that every nuance of a patient's progress is captured and communicated effectively. Their structured format is designed to streamline the complex data that SLPs work with, making the process of speech therapy more transparent and traceable.

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What is a Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) SOAP Note?

How to write clearly & efficiently with the soap format, benefits of the soap format, soap note template.

• SOAP Note Examples

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A SOAP note is a widely used method of documentation for healthcare providers. For SLPs, it encompasses a patient’s subjective reports, objective data, an assessment of their condition, and a subsequent treatment plan.

Here are the keys to writing notes using the SOAP format for SLPs:

• Subjective: Document the patient’s subjective impressions of their condition. This includes their personal experiences, feelings, and perspectives related to their speech and language issues.
• Objective: Record observable and measurable data collected during the session. This could encompass clinical measurements, test results, and direct observations of the patient’s speech and language abilities.
• Assessment: Evaluate and summarize the patient’s progress and performance within the session. This is where the SLP synthesizes subjective and objective information to form a clinical judgment about the patient’s current status.
• Plan: Develop a strategic approach for ongoing treatment. This includes outlining therapy goals, determining the frequency of sessions, and planning any home exercises or activities.”

Effective SOAP notes are concise and informative. Here are some tips to write clearly and efficiently:

• Be Succinct: Write short, direct sentences. Use bullet points to list symptoms, observations, and actions.
• Prioritize Information: Start with the most critical information that impacts patient care.
• Use Plain Language: Avoid or explain jargon and technical terms. This makes your notes accessible to all healthcare team members.
• Be Specific: Provide enough detail for others to understand the context. For instance, instead of writing “patient showed improvement,” specify “patient’s stuttering decreased by 10% from the last session.”
• Consistency is Key: Use the same format and order each time you write a SOAP note. This predictability makes it easier to find information.
• Reflect on Objectives: Connect the patient’s progress to the treatment objectives. This shows a trajectory of care.
• Review for Clarity: Before finalizing the note, read it to ensure it’s clear and free of ambiguity or errors.

The SOAP format is not just a procedural tool—it is a strategic approach that offers numerous benefits:

• Enhanced Communication: It promotes clear communication between SLPs and other healthcare providers by using a universal structure.
• Focused Documentation: Each section of a SOAP note serves a distinct purpose, ensuring that documentation is comprehensive yet focused.
• Improved Continuity of Care: Standardized notes make it easier for any practitioner to pick up where another left off, providing continuity in multi-provider settings.
• Efficient Review: The format allows for quick scanning of a patient’s history and therapy progress, which is crucial in time-sensitive clinical environments.
• Goal-Oriented Planning: By clearly outlining assessments and plans, SOAP notes help keep the patient’s therapy goals in focus, ensuring that each session contributes to these objectives.

Speech Therapy SOAP Note Template

Here’s a basic template for an SLP SOAP note:

Subjective: – Patient’s reported concerns – Observations about behavior and affect

Objective: – Clinical findings (articulation, fluency, voice, hearing) – Data from the session (error rates, level of assistance needed)

Assessment: – Professional interpretation of objective findings – Progress in comparison to previous sessions

Plan: – Adjustments to therapy objectives – Specific interventions for upcoming sessions – Recommendations for practice at home

Speech Therapy SOAP Note Examples

Using the above template, here are some illustrative examples:

• Subjective: Mr. Thompson, a 58-year-old high school teacher, reports increased difficulty projecting his voice during lectures, causing him to feel fatigued by the end of the day.
• Objective: A voice assessment indicates a 15% reduction in vocal volume and hoarseness post-30 minutes of continuous speaking.
• Assessment: Mr. Thompson demonstrates signs of vocal strain, likely related to voice overuse in a classroom setting, which is exacerbated by inadequate vocal rest and poor hydration.
• Plan: Recommend voice therapy focusing on vocal hygiene and relaxation techniques. Advise a minimum of two therapy sessions per week and regular check-ins with an otolaryngologist. Suggest using a classroom amplifier to reduce strain.
• Subjective: Miss Garcia, a 10-year-old with a repaired cleft palate, expresses frustration with classmates having difficulty understanding her speech, particularly during group activities.
• Objective: Articulation assessment reveals compensatory articulation strategies leading to reduced intelligibility, especially for fricative and affricate sounds.
• Assessment: Despite Miss Garcia’s previous progress, residual articulation challenges continue to affect her speech intelligibility and social interactions at school.
• Plan: Plan to enhance articulation therapy with a focus on fricatives and affricates, utilizing visual aids and tactile feedback. Engage in peer-group activities to improve communicative confidence. Schedule sessions twice a week with additional at-home exercises.
• Subjective: Mr. Jenkins, a 72-year-old retiree with recent left hemisphere stroke, reports frustration with word-finding difficulties and his inability to communicate effectively with his family.
• Objective: During a structured naming task, Mr. Jenkins exhibited a 40% occurrence of anomia, with circumlocution observed during conversation.
• Assessment: Mr. Jenkins’ aphasia impacts his expressive language abilities, contributing to communication deficits that affect his daily interactions and quality of life.
• Plan: Initiate intensive aphasia therapy focusing on naming exercises and functional communication strategies. Incorporate family education sessions for communication partner strategies. Schedule therapy four times per week and provide a list of daily exercises to encourage language retrieval practice.

These examples incorporate specific patient details that provide a clearer picture of individual challenges and tailored therapy plans, demonstrating the personalized nature of speech therapy treatment.

The value of the SOAP note in speech therapy extends far beyond the bounds of routine documentation. The SOAP note is an indispensable tool for SLPs, supporting precise documentation and efficient communication among healthcare providers, thereby ensuring quality patient care.

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WTO / Education / SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy (with Examples)

SOAP Notes for Speech Therapy (with Examples)

Speech therapy , also known as speech-language pathology , is a specialized field of healthcare aimed at diagnosing and treating communication disorders.

It addresses various challenges, such as articulation difficulties, language delays, voice disorders, fluency issues (stuttering), and more. Therefore, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) aims to improve speech clarity, language comprehension, expressive communication, and overall communication skills.

To administer the appropriate care, they must track the progress of any medical interventions and plan how to provide patient-centered care. The most efficient tools for documenting patients’ progress and therapy sessions are SOAP notes , alternatively known as progress notes.

This article will discuss the information you should include in a SOAP note as a speech therapist. This is achieved by analyzing the different components of the standard format of such a document. Lastly, it will provide tips for improving your documentation. You can use the templates we have provided to create the note. The templates are free for download and are predesigned to make them convenient for your use. 

What is a Speech Therapy SOAP Note? 

The term “SOAP” is an acronym for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. In speech therapy, SOAP notes serve as a structured method for documenting patient encounters and treatment sessions.

The Subjective component documents information the patient or caregiver provides, such as complaints, experiences, and progress. Then, the Objective component documents data collected during the therapy session (e.g., test results, measurements, clinical observations). Subsequently, the Assessment component outlines your analysis and interpretation of the available data to identify the patient’s progress and changes in their condition.

Lastly, based on your professional evaluation, the Plan component outlines the personalized treatment strategy that will be implemented, including its future goals and interventions. The notes aid in tracking patient progress, facilitating effective communication among healthcare professionals, and ensuring comprehensive and consistent patient care.

Components of a SOAP Note for Speech Therapy

The note format helps you maintain accurate and organized records of your patients. It also facilitates communication with other healthcare professionals and ensures that therapy is evidence-based and tailored to each patient’s needs. While the information recorded in the note will vary with the circumstances, the basic components remain the same.

Below is a comprehensive examination of the essence of each component of a SOAP note . Examples have also been provided to illustrate the type of information you should record under each section of the note for speech therapy:

The header section is typically placed at the top of the note and serves as a quick reference to identify the patient, therapist, and session details. Under this section, start by recording the date, time of the session, and name of the facility to create a chronological record of the patient’s treatment.

Then, indicate the full name, age, and gender of the patient, followed by your name and credentials or designation. This information ensures proper documentation and enables easy retrieval of patient records for future reference or communication with other medical providers involved in the patient’s care.

Subjective (S)

In the subjective section, you should record the patient’s self-reported or caregiver -reported information. This includes the chief complaint, relevant personal experiences, medical history, and any subjective symptoms or concerns related to speech or communication challenges. It may also contain information about the patient’s daily activities, response to previous interventions, and their perception of progress since the last session. This information is needed to provide context to the patient’s communication challenges. 

• The patient reports difficulty pronouncing certain sounds and feels frustrated during conversations.
• The caregiver mentions an improvement in their communication skills when using visual aids.

Objective (O)

Use this section to record measurable (qualitative and quantifiable) information. This includes test results, clinical observation of the patient’s communication skills, and any relevant measurements taken during the session. This information is needed to assess the patient’s speech or communication abilities and formulate viable and suitable treatment plans. 

• During articulation exercises, the patient had difficulty producing the /r/ sound correctly in initial and medial positions.
• The patient scored 75% accuracy in following multi-step verbal directions during a language assessment.

Assessment (A)

The assessment section documents your professional interpretation and analysis of the subjective and objective data. It provides an overall impression of the patient’s current communication skills , areas of strengths and weaknesses, and any relevant diagnoses or clinical findings. The assessment may lead to identifying a diagnosis or determining the effectiveness of the previous treatment plan.

• The patient’s articulation difficulties may be related to a phonological processing disorder.
• The patient’s receptive language skills have improved, but expressive language delays are still evident.

In the plan section of SOAP note, you should outline the next steps in the patient’s treatment based on the assessment. This includes setting specific goals , choosing appropriate therapy techniques, and discussing any changes to the treatment plan. It should be a detailed roadmap for future sessions and should be tailored to the patient’s unique needs, progress, and objectives.

• Goals for the next sessions include improving the production of the /r/ sound in all word positions.
• Introduce visual supports and communication strategies to enhance the patient’s expressive language skills.
• Schedule weekly 45-minute therapy sessions for the next six weeks to work on targeted speech and language goals.

The footer section typically includes your signature. Your signature is meant to authenticate the information documented in the note and confirm its accuracy. It also confirms that you have reviewed and agree with the information recorded in the note. The signature enhances the legality of the note and ensures that you take responsibility for its content. 

SOAP Note Examples and Free Templates

Given below are the speech therapy SOAP note templates:

Best Practices for Efficient Documentation of Speech Therapy SOAP Notes 

Efficient and accurate speech therapy documentation is crucial for maintaining high-quality patient care. This is because it facilitates communication among healthcare professionals and ensures you adhere to professional standards.

Here are some best practices to ensure efficient documentation:

Clear and concise language

Write in a clear and simple manner, using professional terminology when appropriate. Avoid unnecessary jargon or abbreviations that may not be very clear to others. This ensures that the content is understandable and lowers the chances of misinterpretation by other professionals involved. 

Structured format

Use a systematic structure to record information in the SOAP note. This ensures consistency in documentation and makes it easier to find specific information when needed. Also, it facilitates uniformity and adds a professional look to the documentation within your facility.  

HIPAA compliance and patient privacy

Maintain patient confidentiality and abide by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations when documenting sensitive information. So, be selective about the personal information you collect and limit access to the patient’s records to authorized personnel only. 

Use a template

Establish a consistent and well-organized template for SOAP Notes. This ensures that all necessary sections are included. A template also provides a structured framework that allows you to organize your notes consistently. It also ensures that the notes are easily accessible during and after the therapy session to track the patient’s progress more precisely.

Regular review and updates

Take the time to review the notes for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to professional standards before signing and finalizing them. Also, regularly review and update the patient’s progress. Document any new and modified interventions to keep the documentation accurate and up-to-date. 

Conclusion 

SOAP notes in speech therapy help maintain accurate and organized records of patient care. They also facilitate effective communication between healthcare providers and ensure that the therapy provided is evidence-based and tailored to each patient’s needs. These notes are essential for tracking progress over time, making informed treatment decisions, and providing high-quality patient-centered care. You can utilize a template to create these notes as a speech-language therapist. A template offers a structured format for organizing the patient’s diagnosis and treatment details. This way, you are able to document such information for multiple patients with ease consistently. 

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Speech Language Pathology Therapy: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write SOAP Notes

SOAP notes are essential for effective patient care and documentation in speech language pathology therapy. This guide provides detailed instructions for each section of a SOAP note, helping you understand the structure and content required for thorough documentation in the speech language pathology context. By mastering SOAP notes, you can enhance patient care, ensure effective communication among healthcare providers, and maintain accurate medical records.

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Subjective Section (S)

In a speech language pathology SOAP note, the Subjective section (S) captures the patient’s or caregiver's self-reported information about their condition and symptoms. This section provides context for the therapist to understand the patient’s perspective and experiences. Here are the specific things that should go into the Subjective section of a speech language pathology SOAP note:

Subjective Section (S) Components

Chief Complaint:

• The primary reason the patient is seeking speech language pathology therapy.
• Example: "The patient has difficulty articulating certain sounds."

History of Present Condition:

• Details about the onset, duration, and progression of the current condition.
• Example: "The speech difficulties have been present since early childhood."

Communication Challenges:

• Specific communication issues reported by the patient or caregiver.
• Example: "The patient struggles with pronouncing 'r' and 's' sounds."

Impact on Daily Life:

• How the condition affects the patient’s daily activities and interactions.
• Example: "The patient feels self-conscious when speaking in class."

Previous Treatments and Outcomes:

• Information on any treatments the patient has previously received for the condition.
• The effectiveness or outcome of those treatments.
• Example: "The patient attended speech therapy sessions two years ago with minimal improvement."

Relevant Medical History:

• Any relevant past medical conditions, surgeries, or developmental milestones.
• Example: "The patient has a history of frequent ear infections."

Medications:

• Current medications the patient is taking, including dosage and frequency.
• Example: "The patient is not currently taking any medications."

Patient/Caregiver Goals:

• The patient’s or caregiver's goals and expectations from speech therapy.
• Example: "The patient wants to improve speech clarity to participate more confidently in school activities."

Other Relevant Information:

• Any other information provided by the patient or caregiver that may be relevant to their treatment.
• Example: "The patient enjoys reading aloud but gets frustrated with mispronunciations."
• Use open-ended questions to gather detailed information.
• Document the patient’s or caregiver's exact words when possible.
• Focus on the patient’s perspective and experiences.

Example of a Subjective Section for Speech Language Pathology Therapy

• The patient presents with a chief complaint of difficulty articulating certain sounds, particularly `r` and `s`. These speech difficulties have been present since early childhood. The patient struggles with pronouncing these sounds, which affects their confidence when speaking in class.
• The patient attended speech therapy sessions two years ago with minimal improvement. The patient has a history of frequent ear infections but is not currently taking any medications.
• The patient’s goal is to improve speech clarity to participate more confidently in school activities. Additionally, the patient enjoys reading aloud but gets frustrated with mispronunciations.

Objective Section (O)

In a speech language pathology SOAP note, the Objective section (O) captures measurable, observable, and factual data obtained during the patient’s examination. This section provides concrete evidence of the patient’s condition and progress. Here are the specific things that should go into the Objective section of a speech language pathology SOAP note:

Objective Section (O) Components

Speech Sound Assessment:

• Document the results of speech sound assessments, including articulation tests.
• Example: "The patient exhibits difficulty with the articulation of 'r' and 's' sounds."

Language Assessment:

• Record the results of language assessments, including receptive and expressive language skills.
• Example: "Receptive language skills are within normal limits. Expressive language shows difficulty with complex sentences."

Fluency Assessment:

• Document any observations related to speech fluency, such as stuttering or hesitations.
• Example: "No signs of stuttering or significant hesitations observed."

Voice Assessment:

• Record observations related to voice quality, pitch, volume, and resonance.
• Example: "Voice quality is clear with appropriate pitch and volume."

Pragmatic Language Skills:

• Assess and document the patient’s social communication skills.
• Example: "The patient demonstrates appropriate eye contact and turn-taking during conversation."

Oral Motor Examination:

• Document the results of an oral motor examination, including strength and coordination of oral structures.
• Example: "Oral motor examination reveals adequate strength and coordination of the lips, tongue, and jaw."

Standardized Test Results:

• Include results from any standardized tests administered during the session.
• Example: "Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation-3: Standard Score 85 (below average)."
• Be precise and factual in your documentation.
• Include only measurable and observable data.
• Use standardized assessments and measurements where applicable.

Example of an Objective Section for Speech Language Pathology Therapy

• - Speech Sound Assessment : The patient exhibits difficulty with the articulation of 'r' and 's' sounds.
• - Language Assessment : Receptive language skills are within normal limits. Expressive language shows difficulty with complex sentences.
• - Fluency Assessment : No signs of stuttering or significant hesitations observed.
• - Voice Assessment : Voice quality is clear with appropriate pitch and volume.
• - Pragmatic Language Skills : The patient demonstrates appropriate eye contact and turn-taking during conversation.
• - Oral Motor Examination : Oral motor examination reveals adequate strength and coordination of the lips, tongue, and jaw.
• - Standardized Test Results : Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation-3: Standard Score 85 (below average).

Assessment Section (A)

In a speech language pathology SOAP note, the Assessment section (A) synthesizes the information gathered in the Subjective and Objective sections to provide a clinical judgment about the patient’s condition. This section includes the therapist's professional interpretation, diagnosis, and the patient’s progress and response to treatment. Here are the specific things that should go into the Assessment section of a speech language pathology SOAP note:

Assessment Section (A) Components

• Provide a clinical diagnosis based on the subjective and objective findings.
• Example: "Articulation disorder with difficulty in producing 'r' and 's' sounds."

Clinical Impression:

• Include your clinical interpretation of the patient’s condition.
• Example: "The patient’s articulation difficulties are impacting their confidence and participation in school activities."

Functional Limitations:

• Document the impact of the patient’s condition on their daily activities and functional abilities.
• Example: "The patient has difficulty being understood by peers and teachers, leading to frustration and reduced participation in class."

Patient Progress:

• Comment on the patient’s progress since the last visit, if applicable.
• Example: "The patient has shown slight improvement in producing 's' sounds but continues to struggle with 'r' sounds."
• Provide an outlook on the patient’s recovery based on their condition and response to treatment.
• Example: "With consistent therapy, the patient has a good prognosis for improving articulation within 6-12 months."
• Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the patient’s treatment.
• Example: "Short-term goal: Improve production of 's' sounds in single words within three months. Long-term goal: Achieve clear articulation of 'r' and 's' sounds in conversational speech within 12 months."
• Be clear and concise in your clinical judgment.
• Use evidence-based reasoning to support your diagnosis and clinical impression.
• Set realistic and measurable goals for the patient.

Example of an Assessment Section for Speech Language Pathology Therapy

• The patient is diagnosed with an articulation disorder, specifically having difficulty producing 'r' and 's' sounds. The clinical impression indicates that these articulation difficulties are impacting the patient’s confidence and participation in school activities. Functionally, the patient has difficulty being understood by peers and teachers, leading to frustration and reduced participation in class.
• Since the last visit, the patient has shown slight improvement in producing 's' sounds but continues to struggle with 'r' sounds. The prognosis is positive, with the expectation that consistent therapy will lead to significant improvement in articulation within 6-12 months.
• The short-term goal is to improve the production of 's' sounds in single words within three months. The long-term goal is to achieve clear articulation of 'r' and 's' sounds in conversational speech within 12 months.

Plan Section (P)

Plan section (p) components.

Treatment Plan:

• Specific interventions that will be implemented to address the patient’s condition.
• Example: "Articulation therapy focusing on 'r' and 's' sounds."

Therapy Techniques:

• Detailed description of the therapy techniques to be used, including frequency and duration.
• Example: "Phonetic placement techniques and auditory discrimination exercises, 30-minute sessions, twice weekly."

Home Practice:

• Exercises and activities prescribed for the patient to practice at home between therapy sessions.
• Example: "Daily practice of 'r' and 's' sounds using provided word lists and articulation apps."

Parent/Caregiver Involvement:

• Instructions and guidance for parents or caregivers to support the patient’s progress at home.
• Example: "Parents to monitor and encourage daily practice, providing positive reinforcement."

Patient Education:

• Information and instructions provided to the patient to help them understand their condition and treatment.
• Example: "Educate the patient on the importance of consistent practice and self-monitoring."
• Any referrals to other healthcare professionals or specialists if necessary.
• Example: "Refer to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation if articulation issues persist."
• The plan for subsequent visits, including the frequency and duration of follow-up appointments.
• Example: "Schedule follow-up appointments twice a week for the next three months to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary."
• Be specific and detailed in your treatment plan to ensure clarity and adherence.
• Tailor the plan to the individual needs and goals of the patient.
• Ensure that the patient and caregivers understand their roles in the treatment plan, especially for home practice and support.

Example of a Plan Section for Speech Language Pathology Therapy

• The treatment plan for the patient involves several key components to address their articulation disorder. The primary focus will be on articulation therapy targeting 'r' and 's' sounds. Therapy techniques will include phonetic placement techniques and auditory discrimination exercises, conducted in 30-minute sessions, twice weekly.
• To support progress, the patient will be given daily practice exercises for 'r' and 's' sounds using provided word lists and articulation apps. Parents will be instructed to monitor and encourage daily practice, providing positive reinforcement.
• Patient education will include information on the importance of consistent practice and self-monitoring. If articulation issues persist, a referral will be made to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
• Follow-up appointments will be scheduled twice a week for the next three months to monitor the patient’s progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

This detailed information in the Plan section ensures that the patient receives a comprehensive and personalized treatment strategy, and helps track progress and outcomes effectively.

3 SOAP Note Examples to Help You Write Progress Notes

As a health professional, writing progress notes is a time-consuming part of the job. Using tailored models is key to an efficient writing process and standardized notes.

In this article, we'll delve deeper into an effective way for consistently documenting your client's information: SOAP notes.

We’ll explore each component, provide tips and SOAP note examples for effective documentation.

Whether you're new to using SOAP notes or looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide will help you write clear, concise, and comprehensive SOAP notes.

What is a SOAP note?

SOAP notes are a widely used method of documentation in the healthcare field, particularly in settings where a client's progress needs to be tracked over time.

The SOAP note format was developed by Dr. Lawrence Weed in the 1960's as a way to organize client information in a structured and concise manner. It was initially used in medical records but has since been adopted across various healthcare disciplines, including mental health, occupational therapy, social work, speech therapy, and more.

One of the key strengths of SOAP notes is their effectiveness in documenting progress and conveying relevant information about the client. Whether you're a mental health counsellor documenting a therapy session, an occupational therapist assessing a client's progress, or a speech therapist tracking a client's language development, the SOAP format provides a systematic approach to documentation.

SOAP stands for:

• S Subjective
• O Objective
• A Assessment

SOAP Note Variations

In addition to the traditional SOAP format, there are variations that offer slightly different structures and focuses that may be taken into consideration when choosing a template.

APSO Notes : The APSO format places the Assessment and Plan first, followed by the Subjective and Objective information. APSO notes are often used in settings where the assessment and plan are the primary focus, and require even easier access.

SOAPE Notes : The SOAPE format adds an Education or Evaluation section after the Assessment. This format is particularly useful when documenting an evaluation of the plan or advice transmitted to the client about various aspects of the treatment process is important.

Ultimately, the choice of format should align with the goals of the documentation and the specific needs of the setting. Whether using the traditional SOAP format or one of its variations, the key is to ensure that the note is organized, concise, and effectively communicates the necessary information for continuity of care or evaluation.

Best practices for writing effective SOAP notes

Progress notes are not only a legal requirement for certified mental health professionals, but must also comply with specific standards for both public and private contexts. When writing a progress note, it's essential to consider the following criteria to determine which information to include:

• Relevance: Ensure that the information is pertinent to the client's treatment and progress.
• Organization: Arrange the information in a clear and logical manner.
• Conciseness: Be brief and to the point, avoid unnecessary details.
• Objectivity: Present factual information without personal bias or interpretation.
• Accuracy: Ensure that the information is correct and reflects the client's actual progress.
• Clarity: Use straightforward and easy-to-understand language.
• Legibility: Write in a neat and readable manner.
• Spelling: Check for and correct any spelling errors.

When writing a SOAP note, it’s important to follow the general guidelines for progress notes. The information under each heading should be relevant to the client in question and to the specific consultation context.

Here are some tips for each section:

This section focuses on subjective information that is gathered directly from the client. It should be relevant to the service request and intervention plan. It should not include interpretations and must be verified, with the source clearly identified.

• Client perceptions
• Problem description and its manifestation from the client's perspective
• Social and family context
• Expressed goals, frustrations, complaints, and expectations
• Client’s suggestions for improving their situation
• Assessment of the person’s health (mental, physical) and the intervention plan
• Reported medical and social history, including response to previous treatments and medications
• Information provided by third parties
• Relevant citations

Here, focus on objective observations that can be described clearly as facts. This includes descriptions of behaviours or activities.

• The client's appearance, behaviour or mood
• Manifestations of the client's problem (symptoms)
• Relevant information provided by other professionals
• Results and changes related to the intervention plan

In this section, integrate the subjective and objective information gathered in the previous sections to form your professional opinion.

• Professional understanding guiding the intervention plan or specific actions.
• Clinical understanding of the client’s assessment over time.
• Psychosocial assessment or reassessment.
• Predictions, conclusions, or risk factors.

This section allows you to:

• Identify the problem(s) (diagnosis).
• Justify the intervention plan.
• Identify progress (made or not).
• Understand the client’s understanding and motivation.
• Recognize repeated discrepancies between the client's reports and observations.
• Consider other intervention options or relevant follow-up resources.
• Identify new situations.

In this section, outline the intervention plan and any steps in the client’s treatment, including:

• Follow-up on the intervention plan (objectives, means, etc.)
• Modifications to the intervention plan
• Individualized service plan
• Requests for consultation or referral to other professionals
• Interventions performed or techniques used
• Intervention report
• Follow-up appointments to add to the record
• Date of the next appointment

Download our free PDF template to start using the SOAP notes template in your clinical note-taking.

SOAP Note Examples

Below are examples of SOAP notes in various clinical contexts. Please note that these are for illustrative purposes only and should not be used for actual clinical documentation.

SOAP Note Example for Mental Health Counselling

In mental health counseling, SOAP notes can help document client sessions and track progress, especially with regard to a client's mental health status and treatment plan.

Client reports feeling overwhelmed with work and personal stressors. He describes feeling anxious most of the time and having difficulty sleeping. Client reports increased irritability and difficulty concentrating.

Client's affect is anxious. He appears tense and fidgety during the session. Client's speech is rapid, and he often interrupts himself. Client's body language suggests discomfort.

Client presents with symptoms consistent with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Client's symptoms are significantly impacting his daily functioning and well-being. Differential diagnosis includes adjustment disorder with anxiety.

• Continue weekly counselling sessions to address anxiety symptoms and coping strategies.
• Discuss stress management techniques, including mindfulness and relaxation exercises.
• Refer client to doctor for evaluation and possible medication management.
• Schedule follow-up appointment in one week to monitor progress and adjust treatment plan as needed.

SOAP Note Example for Occupational Therapy

SOAP notes offer a structured approach to documenting client assessments, interventions, and outcomes for occupational therapists. They help facilitate effective communication among healthcare professionals and ensure comprehensive client care.

Client reports increased difficulty in performing activities of daily living (ADLs) due to pain and stiffness in the right shoulder. Client states that the pain has been present for the past month and has worsened over time. Pain is rated as 6/10 on the visual analog scale (VAS).

• Observation: Client demonstrates guarding of the right shoulder and limited range of motion during shoulder abduction and flexion.
• Range of motion: Right shoulder abduction limited to 90 degrees, flexion limited to 100 degrees.
• Strength: Weakness noted in the right shoulder, particularly in abduction and flexion.
• Palpation: Tenderness and palpable stiffness noted in the right shoulder joint.

Client presents with symptoms consistent with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) of the right shoulder. Pain and stiffness are significantly impacting the client's ability to perform ADLs independently.

• Begin treatment with modalities to reduce pain and inflammation, such as ice and ultrasound therapy.
• Initiate a home exercise program focused on improving range of motion and strength in the right shoulder.
• Educate client on activity modification and ergonomic principles to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.
• Schedule weekly occupational therapy sessions to monitor progress and adjust treatment plan as needed.

SOAP Note Example for Social Work

Here is an example demonstrating how social workers can use SOAP notes to document client interactions, interventions, and assess needs. In this context, SOAP notes help track progress, facilitate collaboration with other professionals, and ensure effective care.

Client reports feeling overwhelmed with financial stressors. She recently lost her job and is struggling to make ends meet. Client expresses feelings of shame and embarrassment about her current situation.

• Observation: Client appears anxious and restless during the session. She avoids eye contact and fidgets with her hands.
• Housing: Client is currently living in a shelter and is concerned about finding stable housing.
• Support system: Client reports limited support from family and friends.

Client presents with acute stress related to recent job loss and financial instability. Client's feelings of shame and embarrassment are impacting her self-esteem and ability to seek help.

• Provide crisis intervention to address immediate needs, including connecting client with resources for food, housing, and financial assistance.
• Develop a safety plan with client to address feelings of hopelessness and suicidal ideation.
• Refer client to a support group for individuals experiencing similar challenges.

How to write SOAP notes with Psylio

Psylio is a comprehensive recordkeeping platform designed to streamline note-taking, client appointments, and financial management. With built-in templates, such as the SOAP notes template, using Psylio can help you save time and simplify your workflow.

To access the SOAP note template directly integrated into your client progress notes:

A SOAP note is one of several models used in clinical note-taking. And while writing progress notes can be tedious, it's a crucial part of the clinical process.

Using templates based on your preferred models makes progress notes easier to create and ensures standardization across all your notes and among the various professionals in an organization.

Whether you use the templates directly within the Psylio platform or save our free PDF for later use, having access to these tools can free up more time for what matters most - your clients!

About the author

Sophie excels as a French and English content specialist and project coordinator for Optania. With a Bachelor of Arts and a double major in French and English literature, her linguistic expertise brings rigour and excellence to the content produced by the team.

Her experience in coordinating content writing, conducting specialized demonstrations and training, and supporting customer service operations demonstrates her continued commitment. Her passion for language and creating quality content is a constant source of motivation in her work.

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Home > Blog > What is a SOAP note & How to Write SOAP notes (With Templates)

What is a SOAP note & How to Write SOAP notes (With Templates)

Ehab Youssef

Hate writing progress notes? Join thousands of happy therapists using Mentalyc AI.

Sometimes, one might have nightmares for no reason at all. At other times, your work might be spilling over into your dreams! You are astonished. Aren’t you? Let me explain: you are a mental health provider struggling with hundreds of patient cases.

You scribble down unorganized therapy notes , and you end up crashing with therapeutic standards and regulations, not to mention the huge efforts you wasted trying to remember clients’ information while deciphering useless notes. No worries, we understand how much you are going through; it is for this reason that this blog exists.

In this blog, we tackle one of the most important tools that will arm you with the ability to convey clients’ information accurately, clearly, and succinctly, thereby serving as a key skill you should strive to master: we are talking about SOAP notes in mental health. Writing practical SOAP notes is an essential skill for any mental health professional.

We will also explore the ins and outs of SOAP note templates for anxiety and depression and provide tips and best practices for creating well-organized and informative notes. So, let's dive in!

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SOAP Notes in Mental Health Practice

Although SOAP notes were initially developed for use in medical settings, they have become increasingly popular in mental health practice due to their clear and concise format. Mental health professionals can use SOAP note templates for anxiety and depression for example to ensure they are effectively documenting the essential information needed for effective treatment planning and collaboration with other providers.

There are also other document formats that mental health professionals may encounter or choose to employ, such as DAP (Data, Assessment, Plan) and BIRP (Behavior, Intervention, Response, Plan) notes. Each format has its unique features and benefits, and the choice of which format to use often depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the clinician and their clients. For a more in-depth comparison of these documentation formats, check out our articles on  DAP notes  and  BIRP notes .

What a SOAP note is and how it's used?

A SOAP note is a structured method used for documenting a patient's medical information during a therapy session. The SOAP acronym stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, which are the four main components of a well-organized note. Developed by Dr. Lawrence Weed in the 1950s, SOAP notes have become the standard method for documenting patient progress and facilitating communication between healthcare providers.

Take your time back! Get your SOAP notes done automatically.

What is the soap writing method.

The SOAP writing method is a structured approach commonly used in medical and healthcare settings to document patient encounters and organize patient information. The acronym SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, which represents different sections of the documentation.

The Four Parts of a SOAP Note

1. Subjective

The subjective component of a SOAP note focuses on the patient's personal experiences, feelings, and concerns. This section should include details about the patient's chief complaint, history of present illness, medical and family history, and any relevant social or environmental factors. When writing the subjective portion, it's essential to use the patient's words as much as possible to accurately convey their perspective.

2. Objective

The objective section of a SOAP note records observable data and factual information about the patient. This can include vital signs, physical examination findings, laboratory results, and any additional diagnostic data. In the context of mental health treatment, the objective section may also include details about the patient's appearance, behavior, and speech patterns.

3. Assessment

The assessment portion of a SOAP note is where the healthcare provider evaluates the information gathered during the subjective and objective sections. This section may include a diagnosis, a summary of the patient's progress, and any potential risk factors or complications. In the case of anxiety and depression, the assessment might focus on the severity of symptoms, the effectiveness of current interventions, and any co-occurring conditions.

The plan section outlines the next steps in the patient's treatment, including any changes to their current interventions or the addition of new therapies. For anxiety and depression, this might involve adjustments to medications, the introduction of new coping strategies, or referrals to additional support services.

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Are soap notes still used.

Yes, SOAP notes are still widely used in medical and healthcare settings. Despite the emergence of electronic health records (EHRs) and other digital documentation methods, the SOAP format remains a popular and effective way to document patient encounters.

SOAP Note Templates

Anxiety soap note template.

Subjective :

Chief complaint: Patient reports feeling "constantly on edge" and experiencing panic attacks.

History of present illness: Patient describes a 6-month history of increasing anxiety symptoms.

Relevant personal and social history: Recent job loss, family history of anxiety disorders.

Objective :

Appearance: Anxious, fidgety, avoids eye contact.

Behavior: Rapid speech, difficulty sitting still.

Psychiatric symptoms: Reports excessive worry, restlessness, irritability, and sleep disturbances.

Assessment :

Diagnosis: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Progress: Patient has been attending weekly therapy sessions for 2 months with some improvement in symptoms.

Continue weekly therapy sessions focused on cognitive-behavioral techniques.

Consider medication evaluation if symptoms do not continue to improve.

Encourage patient to engage in relaxation exercises and regular physical activity.

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Depression soap note template.

Chief complaint: Patient reports feeling "hopeless" and lacking motivation.

History of present illness: Patient describes a 3-month history of depressive symptoms.

Relevant personal and social history: Recent relationship breakup, social isolation, family history of depression.

Appearance: Disheveled, poor eye contact, flat affect.

Behavior: Slow speech, minimal spontaneous movement.

Psychiatric symptoms: Reports persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Progress: Patient has been attending bi-weekly therapy sessions for 1 month with minimal improvement in symptoms.

Increase therapy sessions to weekly and incorporate cognitive-behavioral techniques.

Schedule a medication evaluation with a psychiatrist.

Encourage patient to engage in social activities and regular physical activity.

How to Write Effective SOAP Notes

Writing well-organized and informative SOAP notes is crucial for effective treatment planning and communication between healthcare providers. Here are some tips write a soap note of high quality:

1. Be concise and specific : Avoid using vague language or unnecessary details. Instead, focus on providing accurate and relevant information about the patient's condition and treatment plan. 2. Use the patient's words : Whenever possible, use direct quotes from the patient to convey their subjective experiences and feelings accurately. 3. Separate subjective and objective information : Make a clear distinction between the patient's self-reported symptoms (subjective) and the observable data gathered by the healthcare provider (objective). 4. Update the assessment and plan sections regularly : As the patient's condition changes, make sure to update the assessment and plan sections to reflect their current status and treatment goals.

How long should a SOAP note be? (Length and Frequency)

The length of a SOAP therapy note will vary depending on the complexity of the patient's condition and the amount of information that needs to be documented. However, it is essential to keep SOAP notes as concise and clear as possible, including only necessary information.

The frequency of writing SOAP therapy notes depends on the specific requirements of the practice or setting in which you work. However, it is generally recommended to write SOAP notes after each session to ensure timely and accurate documentation.

By writing SOAP notes immediately after a session, you capture the most relevant and accurate information while it is fresh in your mind. This helps to ensure the accuracy of your notes and minimizes the risk of forgetting important details. It also allows you to track the client's progress over time and make informed decisions about their treatment plan.

Writing SOAP notes after each session also promotes consistency in documentation, which is important for effective communication among healthcare professionals involved in the client's care. It provides a standardized format for recording information, making it easier for other professionals to understand the client's history, progress, and treatment goals.

In some cases, there may be exceptions to writing SOAP notes after every session, such as when multiple sessions occur within a short period or when the sessions are part of a continuous treatment plan. In such situations, it may be appropriate to summarize multiple sessions in a single SOAP note, highlighting the key information and progress made during that period.

Ultimately, the frequency of writing SOAP therapy notes should align with the specific needs and requirements of your practice or setting and any legal and regulatory guidelines governing documentation in your jurisdiction.

Organizing and Structuring SOAP Notes

To effectively organize SOAP notes, follow these guidelines:

1. Use a consistent format : Adhering to the standard SOAP format (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) ensures that your notes are easy to read and understand. 2. Break information into digestible sections : Divide the content into clear sections and use subheadings to further organize the information. 3. Use bullet points and numbered lists: Presenting key points in a visually appealing manner can make your notes easier to read and reference. 4. Update notes regularly : Keep your SOAP notes up-to-date by regularly updating the assessment and plan sections to reflect the patient's current status and treatment goals. 5. Incorporate technology : Consider using practice management software or other digital tools to help you manage and organize your SOAP notes. Many platforms offer built-in SOAP note templates and can automatically organize your notes by client or date, making it easier to access and review your documentation.

What are smart goals in SOAP notes?

SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) can be a valuable addition to SOAP therapy notes. They can help healthcare professionals establish clear, objective, and realistic treatment goals for their patients, providing a framework for tracking progress and adjusting treatment plans as needed.

By incorporating SMART goals into SOAP therapy notes, clinicians can effectively measure patient progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that the treatment plan aligns with the patient's unique needs and desires.

When writing the Plan section of your SOAP notes, consider using the SMART goal framework to outline specific objectives for your clients' treatment. This can help to clarify expectations, promote accountability, and facilitate communication between you, your clients, and any other professionals involved in their care. Specific: Reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.

Measurable : Decrease the number of panic attacks from 4 per week to 1 per week.

Achievable : Utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques and relaxation exercises to manage anxiety.

Relevant : Addressing panic attacks will improve the patient's overall mental health and quality of life.

Time-bound : Achieve this goal within 3 months of starting treatment.

Are SOAP notes written after every session?

Yes, SOAP notes are typically written after every session or patient encounter to document relevant information about the patient's condition, assessment, and treatment plan.

Pros and Cons of SOAP Notes

While SOAP therapy notes provide an organized and structured approach to documentation, there are some limitations.

1. Standardized format : The structured format of SOAP notes allows healthcare providers to quickly and easily access pertinent information about a patient's condition and treatment plan. 2. Improved communication: SOAP notes facilitate clear and concise communication between healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of care for the patient. 3. Comprehensive documentation : SOAP notes provide a thorough and organized record of a patient's progress, which can be essential for legal and insurance purposes.

1. Time-consuming: Writing detailed and organized SOAP notes can be time-consuming, particularly for busy healthcare professionals. 2. Inconsistent quality : The quality of SOAP notes can vary significantly between providers, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. 3. Limited focus: Some critics argue that SOAP notes may not adequately capture the complexities of mental health treatment, as they typically focus on a specific problem or diagnosis.

Despite these limitations, SOAP therapy notes remain a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in providing consistent, clear, and organized documentation of patient care.

This video tutorial will teach you how to write effective SOAP notes.

The Bottom Line

SOAP therapy notes are a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in documenting patient care. By adhering to best practices, such as being clear, concise, accurate, and timely, clinicians can optimize the effectiveness of SOAP notes in facilitating communication and continuity of care. Mastering the art of SOAP note writing, utilizing templates, and incorporating best practices will enhance the quality of patient care and improve communication among healthcare providers. Mental health professionals, in particular, can benefit from mastering SOAP therapy notes when working with patients experiencing anxiety and depression. By following the components, templates, and guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide, healthcare professionals can ensure that their SOAP notes are effective, contributing to the overall quality of care provided to patients.

Last but not least

You are not alone! We are here to transform the note-taking process into growth opportunities. With enough effort and time, you will become proficient in drafting vital psycho-therapeutical documentation. And keep in mind that, as with every skill you need to master in this life, practice makes perfect!

An App for Psychotherapists

Mentalyc is a note-taking tool that uses AI to write notes. With Mentalyc all your note-taking needs are fully automated and your notes are sure to be consistently accurate and well-written. Mentalyc helps you save time, reduce compliance risk, and allow you to focus fully on your client during sessions and not have to scribble notes during your sessions. Mentalyc now offers all kinds of notes. To learn more visit: www.mentalyc.com or Register for a free trial.

Below is an example of a SOAP note written by Mentalyc SOAP Note Generator :

Feel free to reach out to us and give your feedback about this by using the chat function at the bottom right corner of your screen. We would appreciate your feedback.

About the author

Ehab Youssef  

Ehab is a licensed psychologist specializing in transformative therapy. With extensive experience and a strong academic background, he utilizes evidence-based techniques to address various mental health concerns. Ehab's therapeutic approach combines process-based cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and other modalities to help individuals with depression, anxiety, grief, and personality disorders. As a passionate advocate for mental health, Ehab is dedicated to supporting his clients, supervising therapists, providing corporate counseling, and teaching graduate-level courses.

Learn More About Ehab

All examples of mental health documentation are fictional and for informational purposes only.

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Therapy SOAP Note

Note generator.

Therapy. A lot of people are familiar with this term but often than not refuse to accept it. They tend to lie about what their notes may say, thus confusing their therapists. But more often than not, there are those who do know that notes like these are necessary and often do not lie. Who am I talking about? Healthcare professionals, physical therapists, and anyone who may be working in the medical or healthcare industry know that when it comes to note-taking, it is something to be serious about. Whether you are a speech therapist or a physical therapist, you would know that your therapy SOAP note is a necessity and not just part of the job. To know how to write a good therapy SOAP note, let’s take a look at the examples .

6+ Therapy SOAP Note Examples

1. therapy soap notes template.

Size: 28 KB

2. Sample Therapy SOAP Note

Size: 116 KB

3. Therapy SOAP Note in PDF

Size: 197 KB

4. Physical Therapy SOAP Note

Size: 485 KB

5. Psycho Therapy SOAP Note

Size: 797 KB

6. Speech Therapy SOAP Note

Size: 50 KB

7. Therapy SOAP Note Example

Size: 622 KB

What Is a Therapy SOAP Note?

A therapy SOAP note is a document that medical practitioners  and physical and speech therapists use in order to get a good assessment and a good understanding of the needs of the patient. It can also be considered a treatment plan since it helps them get to know what the patient needs and what the patient may get in order to get better.  The therapy SOAP note consists of the same format as that of an ordinary SOAP note, except the information caters mostly to therapy. In addition to that, a therapy SOAP note helps physical or speech therapists to find a better or best option or solution to help their patients going through therapy.

How to Write a Therapy SOAP Note?

Therapy notes are important. They give you the details you need in order to find the best solution and plan. They give you the opportunity to assess and fully plan out a good therapy for your patient. But you must also understand what to write in it. With that, take a look at these steps to help you write your therapy SOAP note.

1. Information About Your Patient Should Count

You’re finally at this point where you are going to be writing your therapy SOAP note. What you would need are the details about your patient to make a good therapy SOAP note. Information about your patient counts because without it, your therapy SOAP note will flop.

2. Avoid Writing Personal Opinions

If you think that being a therapist means you are able to write personal opinions about your patients in your SOAP notes, then you should start writing your notes again. Your personal opinions about your patients should be kept to yourself. What should be in your SOAP notes should be a professional opinion. Avoid writing anything personal about your patient. View them in a professional setting.

3. Use Jargon that Is Easy to Understand

Many therapists would think that if they use jargon that only they could understand, the patient may as well understand them. No. Avoid using jargon that may be misinterpreted by the patient. When discussing your SOAP notes with other colleagues, as much as possible, use the general jargon that everyone can understand to avoid any confusion and misunderstandings.

4. Avoid Planning Without a Complete Assessment

Another thing to take note of is to avoid planning the solution before you have made the proper and complete assessment. Part of your soap note is to assess the situation and the patient in order for you to plan out the best solution to help your patient. If you are a speech therapist, your assessment would also cater to a speech assessment. Regardless of what therapist you may be, do the assessment first before you plan.

What is a therapy soap note?

A therapy soap note is a document that summarizes the entire general to specific detail of a patient. It has the information needed in order for the therapist to give out the right solution and to plan out the best kind of solution to solve the problem.

Why do therapists need soap notes?

They need soap notes as this helps them give out a professional say about a patient. It gives them the opportunity to assess, analyze, and evaluate a patient and their specific needs in order for them to figure out how to address the problems.

Why should you avoid writing a personal opinion?

Personal opinions cloud out your professional opinions. Never assume that you know a patient personally by simply viewing them or talking to them. You are their therapist; they are your patient. What and how you would address their problem and find a solution should be done in a professional manner.

A person working as a therapist knows that notes are important to them and that their notes hold the key to understanding how their patients work and how their patients are feeling to find a solution that would benefit their patients. With that being said, always be careful with what you may write in your notes. Never assume that your patients can benefit from a personal view. Always assess and evaluate before giving the right solution.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

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