BIRP notes serve as a standard template used by mental health professionals to document client treatment plans and progression. In clinical notes, BIRD notes help therapists organize their notes in four segments.
BIRP notes serve as a standard template used by mental health professionals to document client treatment plans and progression. In clinical notes, BIRD notes help therapists organize their notes in four segments. The notes must include all client treatment responses and services provided. The note formatting helps therapists to document effectively without missing essential details.
Behavior
In this section, the therapist records presented problems in terms of how they behave and appear. The therapist records objective and subjective observations, including paraphrased information and direct quotes. Notably, this section focuses on the client.
Intervention
The second segment focuses on the therapist’s intervention method. It outlines and details therapists’ intervention approaches used to aid the client to achieve their therapy goals. In this section, the therapist ensures they document their questions, techniques used, and adjustments to the treatments.
Response
Next, the response sections detail an in-depth client response analysis of the intervention strategies used. Additionally, the therapist documents the aspects that excited or bothered the clients and their change of mind about the therapy.
Planning
Lastly, the last section details the next session’s actions. It allows therapists to base their future appointments on the last session’s progress. In most instances, the next treatment plan depends on what the therapist uncovered during the sessions, the client’s determinations level, and whether the goal was achieved. Notably, the therapist should document every change made, backed up with the reason for the decision.
