How do you write a progress note for narrative therapy?

Record the problem story and its effects in the client’s words, any unique outcomes since the last session, the narrative practices you used and why, how the client responded with any measure score, risk screening, and the plan. Link the changes to the diagnosis and treatment-plan goals.

How do you document an externalizing conversation?

Name the problem as the client does, in quotation marks, say what it refers to, and describe what you explored, such as the problem’s tactics and its effects on work, sleep or relationships. Then record how the client responded, for example a new view of the problem or an idea for resisting it.

What is a unique outcome in narrative therapy?

A unique outcome is a time when the problem had less influence than usual or when the client acted in a way the problem story would not predict, such as going for a walk despite low mood. In the note, record the event, how often it happened and what the client said it means to them.

Is a narrative note the same as a narrative therapy note?

No. A narrative note is a progress note written in free-text paragraphs instead of sections such as SOAP or DAP, and it can be used for any kind of session. A narrative therapy note documents a session of narrative therapy and can be written in any format your agency uses.

What is a narrative process recording?

A process recording is a detailed written account of a session, often including what was said, the student’s reactions and their analysis, used in social work education and supervision. It is a training tool rather than a clinical note. Programs usually require it to be de-identified and kept outside the client record, so follow your program’s and agency’s rules.

Progress Notes for Narrative Therapy: Example and Template

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Overview

This guide is part of our complete progress notes hub — format structure, a full clinical example, the progress note generator, and all 72 diagnosis-specific templates.

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Short answer: a narrative therapy progress note records the problem story and its effects since the last session, in the client’s words (including any name the client gives the problem), the narrative practices you used, such as externalizing conversations, exploring unique outcomes, re-authoring or outsider-witness work, how the client responded, and the plan. Link the narrative work to the client’s symptoms, functioning and treatment-plan goals.

Narrative therapy, developed by Michael White and David Epston, separates the person from the problem and looks for times the problem had less influence, called unique outcomes, to build a preferred story. A therapy model is not a diagnosis: if the service is billed, the note still needs the diagnosis being treated, changes in symptoms and function, and risk screening. This page is about notes for narrative therapy sessions. A “narrative note” is something else: a progress note written as free-text paragraphs rather than in SOAP or DAP sections. A process recording is a different thing again: a detailed write-up of a session used in social work training and supervision, usually de-identified and kept outside the client record. The table shows what goes in each section.

What to document in a narrative therapy progress note

What to document in each progress note section of a narrative therapy session, with fictional example wording
Section	What to document	Example wording
Session Summary	The problem story and its effects, in the client’s words	“Client said ‘the Fog’ (their name for the depression) kept them in bed until about noon on 3 days.”
Session Summary	Unique outcomes since the last session	“Walked for 20 minutes on 2 mornings ‘before the Fog could decide for me’; texted a friend once.”
Interventions	The narrative practice and its purpose	“Externalizing conversation mapping the Fog’s effects on work, sleep and friendships; re-authoring questions about the values behind the walks.”
Interventions	Therapeutic documents and witnesses	“Read a short therapeutic letter summarizing last session; discussed inviting a friend as an outsider witness.”
Client Response	What the client said and did, and measures	“Named ‘showing up for myself’ as the value behind the walks. PHQ-9 12 (15 at intake).”
Client Response	Risk screening	“Asked directly about suicidal thoughts and self-harm: denied current or past.”
Plan Updates	Practices, goal progress, next focus and follow-up	“Client to note times they ‘stepped out of the Fog.’ Next: revisit the outsider-witness idea, only with consent.”

An improving story does not replace risk screening. If a client reports suicidal thoughts, assess and record current thoughts, plan, intent, history and access to means, your risk formulation and the safety plan. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline takes calls and texts at 988; imminent danger calls for 911 or the nearest emergency department.

How to Document Progress Notes for Narrative Therapy

Session Summary

Overview of session focus, topics discussed, and client presentation

When documenting the Session Summary in narrative therapy, focus on capturing the client’s recounting of their experiences, including the symptoms they report, presenting concerns, identified triggers, and observed mood or affect throughout the session.

Document specific client-reported symptoms related to their dominant narratives or problem-saturated stories.
Note the primary presenting concerns as described by the client, including any shifts in their narrative perspective.
Identify and record any triggers or contextual factors that the client associates with the emergence or intensification of their issues.
Describe the client’s mood and affect during the session, noting congruence or incongruence with their narrative content.
Summarize any new insights or alternative storylines the client introduces about their identity or experiences.

Interventions

Therapeutic techniques and interventions applied during the session

In the Interventions section for narrative therapy, document the specific therapeutic techniques and modalities used to externalize problems, deconstruct dominant narratives, and facilitate the co-construction of alternative, empowering stories.

Record the use of externalization techniques to separate the client’s identity from their problems.
Note any questions or strategies employed to deconstruct the problem-saturated narrative.
Document narrative re-authoring exercises introduced during the session.
Describe the application of therapeutic modalities such as therapeutic letter writing or use of metaphors.
Include observations about the client’s engagement with the narrative techniques applied.

Client Response

Client's reaction to interventions and observable progress

The Client Response section should reflect the client’s reactions to the therapeutic process, including their engagement with narrative techniques, shifts in perspective, and any clinically relevant changes noted by the therapist.

Evaluate the client’s level of engagement and openness to exploring alternative narratives.
Document observable changes in the client’s self-perception or distancing from problem-saturated stories.
Note any emotional or cognitive shifts that indicate progress or resistance within the narrative process.
Record the client’s feedback on the interventions and their perceived usefulness.
Include clinical impressions regarding diagnostic considerations or emerging themes based on client responses.

Plan Updates

Changes to treatment plan, goals, and next session focus

For Plan Updates in narrative therapy, detail the agreed-upon next steps, including narrative homework assignments, adjustments to therapeutic focus, referrals if needed, and scheduling of upcoming sessions.

Specify narrative homework tasks designed to further externalize or re-author problematic stories.
Outline any modifications to the treatment approach based on client progress or challenges.
Note referrals to additional services or supports relevant to the client’s narrative context.
Confirm the scheduling of future sessions and any changes to frequency or duration.
Highlight goals for the next sessions focused on expanding alternative narratives or strengthening preferred identities.