GIRP Notes for Narrative Therapy: Template + Examples (2026)
Overview
The GIRP Notes format provides an excellent structure for documenting Narrative Therapy because it separates subjective experience from objective observations while emphasizing clinical assessment and planning. When working with clients presenting with Narrative Therapy, the key is to document how the specific symptoms, behavioral patterns, and treatment responses are understood through the lens of this particular format.
Each section of the GIRP Notes note should serve a specific purpose when documenting Narrative Therapy. Rather than generic descriptions, each section should contain clinical information that directly relates to the diagnostic criteria, treatment indicators, and progress measures relevant to Narrative Therapy. This requires understanding both how the format works and what aspects of Narrative Therapy are most important to capture for insurance justification, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making.
Documentation quality matters significantly when treating Narrative Therapy. Insurance companies need to see clear evidence of medical necessity, meaningful progress on treatment goals, and appropriate use of evidence-based interventions. The GIRP Notes structure, when properly applied to Narrative Therapy, communicates this clinical picture clearly and compliantly.
How to Document GIRP Notes for Narrative Therapy
Goals
Document current treatment goals, client's goals for this session, and progress toward established objectives
When documenting Goals in narrative therapy, specify the client’s desired shifts in personal narratives, identity reconstructions, and meaning-making processes. Focus on how the client wishes to re-author their story to empower themselves and address problem-saturated narratives.
- Identify the dominant problem-saturated narratives the client aims to deconstruct or transform.
- Specify desired alternative storylines or preferred narratives the client wishes to develop.
- Define goals related to externalizing problems to reduce self-blame and enhance agency.
- Outline objectives for strengthening the client’s sense of identity outside of the presenting issues.
- Include goals for enhancing connections between the client’s values and their re-authored stories.
Intervention
Record specific interventions applied to address identified goals and advance treatment
Document the specific narrative therapy techniques and therapeutic modalities used during the session, including how the therapist facilitated re-authoring, externalization, and unique outcomes. Note clinical observations that inform the narrative process.
- Describe the use of externalizing conversations to separate the client from the problem.
- Detail any mapping of the problem’s influence on the client’s life and relationships.
- Record instances where alternative storylines or unique outcomes were identified and explored.
- Note the use of therapeutic documents or therapeutic letters as part of narrative practice.
- Observe and document client engagement with deconstruction of dominant cultural or familial narratives.
Response
Note the client's response to goal-focused work, progress indicators, and barriers to goal achievement
Capture the client’s reactions, shifts in perspective, and emerging insights related to their narratives. Evaluate progress toward narrative goals and clinical impressions of how the client is reconstructing their identity.
- Describe client’s emotional response to externalizing the problem during the session.
- Note any evidence of the client identifying and embracing alternative storylines.
- Assess changes in client’s self-perception or empowerment related to re-authoring efforts.
- Record observations of client resistance, ambivalence, or breakthroughs in narrative shifts.
- Include any diagnostic reconsiderations prompted by new narrative insights or disclosures.
Plan
Specify action steps, revised goals if needed, and timeline for goal achievement
Outline next steps that continue to encourage client agency in re-authoring their story, including homework assignments, planned narrative exercises, treatment adjustments, and coordination with other supports.
- Assign reflective journaling or narrative writing to reinforce alternative storylines between sessions.
- Plan specific externalizing conversations or mapping exercises for the upcoming session.
- Adjust therapeutic focus based on client’s response and emerging narratives.
- Identify referrals to community resources or support groups that align with client’s preferred identity.
- Schedule follow-up sessions emphasizing consolidation of re-authored narratives and client strengths.
SOAP Notes for Narrative Therapy
Alternative format for documenting narrative therapy
DAP Notes for Narrative Therapy
Alternative format for documenting narrative therapy
BIRP Notes for Narrative Therapy
Alternative format for documenting narrative therapy
Progress Notes for Narrative Therapy
Alternative format for documenting narrative therapy
SIRP Notes for Narrative Therapy
Alternative format for documenting narrative therapy
PIE Notes for Narrative Therapy
Alternative format for documenting narrative therapy
Tips for GIRP Notes for Narrative Therapy
Connect to Diagnostic Criteria
Always link your observations and interventions back to the specific diagnostic criteria for Narrative Therapy. If you're documenting generalized anxiety disorder, reference the specific DSM-5 criteria. If you're documenting major depressive disorder, show evidence of the required number of depressive symptoms. This demonstrates clear clinical reasoning and justifies continued treatment.
Use Quantifiable Measurements
Don't simply write "Narrative Therapy improving." Instead, use rating scales (0-10 severity scales, PHQ-9 scores, GAD-7 scores, etc.) to show concrete progress. Document specific behavioral changes: "Client reported anxiety decreased from 8/10 to 6/10 when discussing social situations," or "Depressive symptoms reduced by 3 points on PHQ-9."
Document Functional Impact
Show how Narrative Therapy affects the client's daily functioning. Insurance requires evidence of functional impairment to justify treatment. Document specific impacts: "Unable to attend work meetings due to anxiety," or "Staying in bed until 2 PM due to depressed mood." Then show how treatment addresses these functional limitations.
Track Intervention Specificity
Rather than vague interventions, be specific about what you did and why. For Narrative Therapy, document: "Taught progressive muscle relaxation for anxiety management," or "Assigned behavioral activation with goal to schedule one pleasant activity daily." Show how each intervention targets the specific symptoms of Narrative Therapy.
Demonstrate Treatment Progress
Connect each session to overall treatment goals for Narrative Therapy. Show how this session moved the client forward. Document barriers encountered and your response: "Client engaged in avoidance despite exposure assignment. Explored ambivalence about facing feared situations. Adjusted timeline."
Note Comorbidities
Clients with Narrative Therapy often have other conditions. Document any comorbid diagnoses and how they interact. For example: "Client's Narrative Therapy is complicated by concurrent depression, which reduces treatment response. Added behavioral activation to address depressive symptoms alongside anxiety-specific exposure work."
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Further Reading
- APA Documentation Guidelines — Provides comprehensive guidelines on clinical documentation practices relevant to narrative therapy and structured note formats like GIRP.
- SAMHSA — Offers resources on behavioral health documentation standards and best practices applicable to narrative therapy.
- NASW (Social Workers) — Includes ethical and practical guidance on clinical note-taking and documentation for social workers using narrative approaches.