SIRP Notes — Complete Guide + 72 Free Templates (2026)

Why the SIRP Format Exists

SIRP gained traction in crisis stabilization and case-management roles where the trigger event is the most important piece of context for downstream clinicians, supervisors, or auditors. Starting with Situation forces the writer to anchor the session to a concrete circumstance before moving to intervention.

When to Use SIRP Notes (and When Not To)

Use SIRP for crisis calls, post-discharge follow-ups, case-management contacts, ACT team notes, and emergency-session documentation. Some community mental health centers require SIRP for any contact outside scheduled individual therapy.

The SIRP Note Structure

SIRP Notes follow a 4-part structure: Situation, Intervention, Response, Plan. Each section answers a different clinical question.

Situation

The event, presentation, or circumstance that defined this contact. Example: "Client presented to crisis line at 11pm reporting acute anxiety spike following argument with partner; history of GAD with panic features, currently in weekly CBT."

Intervention

Clinical actions taken in response to the situation. Example: "Conducted safety assessment; validated emotional experience; guided grounding exercise; reviewed safety plan; coordinated with on-call clinician for morning follow-up."

Response

Client’s response to your intervention. Example: "Anxiety decreased from 9/10 to 5/10 after grounding. Client able to identify 3 coping strategies. Contracted for safety overnight. Agreed to check-in at 9am."

Plan

Follow-up and coordination of care. Example: "9am safety-check call scheduled. Crisis plan reviewed and updated. Next regular session moved up to 2026-04-22. Care coordination note sent to primary therapist."

Full SIRP Note Example

Scenario: After-hours crisis call, 22 minutes, with an existing CBT client presenting acute anxiety escalation following an interpersonal stressor.

Situation: Client (34F, existing client with GAD + panic features, 6 weeks into weekly CBT with primary therapist) called crisis line at 11:04pm reporting acute anxiety spike. Precipitant: 2-hour argument with spouse about household finances ending 10:30pm. Anxiety 9/10, two panic episodes in the last 60 minutes, hyperventilating at call start. Denied SI; denied access to means; no ETOH/substance use in prior 48 hrs. Sertraline 100mg adherent. Currently alone in a separate room; spouse asleep.

Intervention: (1) Acknowledged distress and validated experience of spike following relational conflict. (2) Conducted suicide risk assessment (Columbia Protocol) — negative for acute SI. (3) Guided 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise on call; walked client through box-breathing cycle (4-7-8) for 3 rounds. (4) Reviewed stored safety plan from chart; confirmed she has it accessible and reviewed trigger-to-coping mapping. (5) Advised to avoid returning to argument tonight; agreed she will sleep in guest room. (6) Secured safety contract for overnight; scheduled 9am follow-up call.

Response: Client de-escalated during grounding. Anxiety reported at 5/10 by end of call (down from 9/10). Hyperventilation resolved. Verbalized 3 coping strategies she can use tonight: stay in guest room, continue box-breathing, re-read safety plan. Contracted for safety overnight; stated she would call back "immediately" if urges emerged. Agreed to 9am check-in call. Tone and speech rate normalized by end of call.

Plan: (1) 9am safety-check call by on-call clinician. (2) Next-day notification to primary CBT therapist (Dr. J. Ramos) for care coordination, including recommendation to move next session up from 2026-04-27 to 2026-04-22. (3) Safety plan reviewed; add spouse-argument as specific trigger with paired coping. (4) Client informed she can call back anytime overnight. (5) Call duration: 22 minutes. Call outcome: stabilized, no higher level of care required tonight.

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SIRP Note Templates by Diagnosis, Setting & Modality

Every template below shows a full SIRP note tailored to that specific clinical situation. Use them as a starting point — copy, edit, and adapt to your client.

Mood & Anxiety Disorders

Trauma, PTSD & Grief

Substance Use & Addiction

Personality & Behavioral

Child, Adolescent & Family

Specialty Populations

Therapy Modalities

Group & Setting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SIRP note?

A SIRP note is a structured clinical progress note used by mental-health professionals to document a therapy session. It organizes session content into the sections: Situation, Intervention, Response, Plan.

How long does a SIRP note take to write?

Most clinicians write a competent SIRP note in 5–15 minutes. Mental Note AI reduces that to under 60 seconds by drafting the structure directly in Microsoft Word.

Is SIRP accepted by insurance and Medicaid?

Yes. SIRP is an accepted progress-note format across commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Some state Medicaid MCOs and CARF-accredited programs have specific format preferences — check your payer requirements before standardizing.

What’s the difference between a SIRP note and a psychotherapy note?

Progress notes (including this format) are part of the legal medical record and can be released to payers with client authorization. Psychotherapy notes are the therapist’s private process notes and receive heightened HIPAA protection under 45 CFR 164.524. Keep them separately.

Can I generate these notes with AI?

Yes. Mental Note AI is a HIPAA-compliant AI writing assistant that drafts structured clinical notes inside Microsoft Word. You stay in control — the AI produces a draft, you review and edit before finalizing.

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