Psychotherapy notes are like your private clinical journal — a place to capture reflections, patterns, and hunches without the pressure of formal documentation.

Unlike progress notes (which are legal records), these are just for you. Use them to:

Document key moments between sessions
Track subtle shifts and recurring themes
Refine your therapeutic approach over time

Bonus: Grab our free psychotherapy note template to get started.

What Are Psychotherapy Notes?

Think of them as your clinical stream of consciousness — candid, unfiltered, and for your eyes only.

Private: Not part of the medical record
Flexible: No fixed format
Reflective: Capture reactions, insights, and clinical intuition

They help you remember the details that matter — and keep your thinking sharp across sessions.

📄 Free Template — Download Now

What’s in the Template?

Our psychotherapy note structure includes:

Client initials, session info
Free-form observations
Emotional & behavioral cues
Internal reactions (e.g., countertransference)
Key themes & session insights
Recurring patterns over time
Clinical hunches & next steps
Any other relevant mental health details

Designed to help you think clearly — not slow you down.

Why Keep Them Separate?

Psychotherapy notes are intentionally private — giving you space to reflect without external pressure. HIPAA requires they be stored separately and accessed only when absolutely necessary.

They support your thinking, help process difficult sessions, and protect therapeutic integrity.

Best Practices with S10.ai

Keep notes securely stored, separate from official records
Use neutral, professional language
Focus on insights, not admin details
Set a clear retention policy

Should You Share Notes with Clients?

There’s growing interest in sharing psychotherapy notes. Benefits include:

Greater trust and transparency
Improved client engagement
Fewer misunderstandings

But it’s a delicate balance — clarity for the patient without losing your clinical freedom.

The Future: Clarity + Trust

At S10.ai, we believe in smart, secure documentation that supports how you think — not how systems expect you to write.

You don’t need to choose between being candid and being transparent. With the right tools, you can do both.