DAP Note (Art Therapy)

Date of Service: [date]

Client: [client name or identifier]

Provider: [name, credentials]

Session Time: [start time] – [end time] ([total minutes])

Setting/Modality: [outpatient / inpatient / other]; [in-person / telehealth] (If telehealth, include client's physical location and privacy confirmation.)

Session Type: [individual / group / family]

Goals Addressed: [treatment plan goal numbers or titles]

Data

[Presenting focus and reason for session; client self-report of mood, stressors, symptoms, or events since last session; relevant interval history] (Summarize in 1–2 concise paragraphs. Include one or two brief direct quotes only when clinically meaningful.)

[Objective observations: appearance, behavior, mood/affect, engagement, regulation] (Document in 1–2 sentences; expand only when symptoms changed or risk is present.)

• Directive: [prompt or task given; client-led vs therapist-directed]
• Materials: [media used]
• Process: [client engagement—approach, pacing, affect shifts, regulation; therapist interventions during artmaking]
• Product: [brief description of artwork; client's stated title or meaning if offered; if image captured, note consent status and storage location]

[Client response to interventions; observable shifts, insights, and barriers; explicit linkage to treatment plan goals with micro-outcomes observed]

Assessment

[Clinical synthesis: current status compared to prior sessions; response to art-based and verbal interventions; working formulation] (Anchor art therapy interpretation to the client's meaning-making and observed process. Label therapist hypotheses as hypotheses.)

Risk Assessment: [risk evaluation] (Include only when risk is endorsed, suspected, or could not be ruled out. Document: ideation, intent, plan, means access, protective factors, risk level [low / moderate / high], and actions taken. If assessed and denied, document denials briefly. If unable to assess, explain why and note safety steps taken.)

Plan

• Next session: [planned focus; anticipated directive/materials; adaptations]
• Homework: [specific task and target / None assigned]
• Coordination: [collateral contacts, referrals, documentation shared] (Include only if applicable.)
• Follow-up: [recommended frequency; next appointment date/time] (If risk elevated, include safety plan follow-up, crisis resources provided, and escalation criteria.)

Signature: [electronic signature]

Credentials: [credentials]

Date/Time Signed: [date/time]

(Each note must reflect the unique encounter—avoid cloned or generic language. If information is missing or could not be obtained, state this explicitly rather than leaving fields blank.)