Grief Counseling Progress Note (Group Therapy)

Session Information

Date: [service date]

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

Location: [in-person site or telehealth modality]

Group: [group name] | [open / closed] | [psychoeducational / process / mixed] | Session [number if time-limited]

Facilitator(s): [name(s) and credentials]

Group size: [number present]

Member attendance: [present / late / left early] (If late or left early, include relevant times.)

(This is a group therapy progress note. Do not include identifiable information about other members; use non-identifying labels such as "another member" or "a peer." Focus on clinically necessary information—logistics, interventions, response, progress, and plan. Avoid extensive verbatim dialogue or in-depth process analysis.)

Group Session

Theme/Objectives: [grief-related session focus and 1–2 observable objectives] (State the grief-related theme, such as anniversary reactions, continuing bonds, meaning-making, or coping with guilt.)

Interventions: [therapeutic techniques used] (Document in clinician language—e.g., supportive interventions, psychoeducation, CBT/ACT strategies, mindfulness/grounding, interpersonal process work, narrative prompts, safety-oriented interventions as applicable.)

Group Process: [overall tone, cohesion, participation balance, therapeutic factors observed] (If redirections or boundary management occurred, note without identifying specific members.)

Materials/Practice Assigned: [handouts or between-session exercises and purpose] (Omit if none.)

Individual Member Documentation (DAP)

Data: [member participation, behaviors, and grief-related content shared] (Describe engagement level—e.g., active, withdrawn, tearful, supportive of peers. Summarize grief-related content such as triggers, coping attempts, functional impacts, anniversary reactions, sleep/appetite changes. A brief illustrative quote is acceptable if clinically meaningful. Do not name other members.)

Assessment: [clinical impression and progress toward goals] (Summarize response to today's interventions, progress toward grief-related goals—e.g., tolerating grief waves, reducing avoidance, improving coping, increasing social connection—and any change in clinical status.)

Plan: [next steps for this member] (Include attendance plan, between-session practice linked to goals, referrals or coordination needs, and any follow-up actions such as outreach calls or collateral contacts.)

Safety

(Include this section only if risk was assessed or clinically indicated. If screening was expected but not performed, note why and the follow-up plan. Otherwise, omit this section entirely.)

Screening: [tool used and result, if applicable]

Findings: [ideation, plan, intent; acute risk and protective factors]

Risk Level: [overall level with brief rationale]

Mitigation Plan: [safety plan steps, means safety counseling, escalation pathway, crisis resources provided]

Significant Events

(Include only if a medicolegal event occurred—acute distress requiring intervention, mandated reporting trigger, member leaving abruptly with welfare concerns, emergency referral, or removal from group. Otherwise, omit this section entirely.)

[Objective description of event, immediate interventions, disposition, and follow-up plan] (Do not include identifying details of other members.)

Signature: [clinician name, credentials, date/time of signature]