Drama Therapy Progress Note (DAP)

Date of Service: [date]

Patient: [name and MRN or DOB]

Session Type: [Individual drama therapy / Group drama therapy]

Setting/Modality: [in-person at location / telehealth audio-video / telehealth audio-only; patient location if telehealth]

Time: [start time] – [stop time] ([total minutes] face-to-face)

Diagnosis Addressed: [diagnosis] (Include only if required by payer or organization.)

Data

[Session focus, presenting concern, and interval change since last session] (Write 2–4 sentences summarizing the clinical focus. Avoid detailed dialogue; include only what is necessary for continuity of care and medical necessity.)

Observations: [Mental status and behavioral observations relevant to drama therapy, including engagement, spontaneity, role flexibility, affect tolerance, aesthetic distance, and somatic cues as clinically significant] (Focus on drama-therapy-relevant findings; include safety observations if applicable.)

Interventions: [Drama therapy methods used: warm-up/grounding, core technique with therapeutic target, and closure/de-roling] (Name techniques with sufficient specificity to demonstrate skilled service, e.g., "role rehearsal of assertive communication with supervisor." Avoid vague phrases like "used drama therapy.")

Patient Response: [Observable and patient-reported response to interventions, including behavioral changes, regulation shifts, skill acquisition, and insight] (Be specific, e.g., "by third iteration, used clear volume and upright posture; reported feeling less anxious.")

Risk/Safety: [SI/HI status, protective factors, actions taken] (Include only if safety concerns arose during session; otherwise omit entirely.)

Standardized Measures: [tool name, score, brief interpretation] (Include only if administered this session; otherwise omit entirely.)

Assessment

[Clinical interpretation of session data and progress toward specific treatment plan goals] (Identify mechanism of change observed, such as increased role repertoire, improved affect tolerance via metaphor, or enhanced interpersonal effectiveness through rehearsal. State whether symptoms are improving, stable, or worsening with functional impact.)

[Medical necessity statement] (Justify ongoing treatment based on symptoms, functional impairment, and response to skilled drama therapy interventions. If risk was identified above, state current risk level with justification.)

Plan

Next Session: [Planned drama therapy approach and rationale, including any modifications based on today's response]

Homework: [Between-session practice with dose/frequency, or "No homework assigned this session"]

Coordination/Follow-up: [Collateral contacts, team coordination, referrals, or safety follow-up with timeline] (Include only if applicable; otherwise omit entirely.)

Next Appointment: [date/time or scheduling plan]

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Clinician: [name, credentials, title]

Signature: [electronic signature with date/time]

Supervisor Co-sign: [name, credentials, supervision mode] (Include only if trainee or supervision required; otherwise omit.)