Skip to content
    Olive Grove

    Note formats: DAP, SOAP, BIRP, GIRP, intake and couples

    Checked against the app on 24 October 2026

    Olive Grove drafts DAP (the default), SOAP, BIRP, GIRP, Comprehensive Intake / Biopsychosocial and Couples / Relational notes. Choose before the session, or rewrite the note in another format before you sign it.

    Olive Grove’s Make your own format window: Name of the format, three rows of Section heading and What goes in it, Add a section and Save the format.

    Where: Record > Note; or a session > Regenerate note

    FormatSectionsOften used for
    DAPData, Assessment, PlanMost individual sessions
    SOAPSubjective, Objective, Assessment, PlanSettings that share notes with medical teams
    BIRPBehaviour, Intervention, Response, PlanShowing what you did and how the client responded
    GIRPGoals, Intervention, Response, PlanWork tied closely to treatment goals
    IntakeComprehensive Intake / BiopsychosocialA first session or assessment
    CouplesCouples / RelationalJoint sessions with a couple or family

    1. Step 1: Before the session, choose the format beside Note on Record, or leave Automatic.

    2. Step 2: Automatic picks Couples / Relational when two or more people are in the room or the client is a couple or family, and otherwise your usual format.

    3. Step 3: To change it afterwards, open the session and press Regenerate note (Ctrl+Shift+G), then choose the format. The earlier text is kept under Versions.

    Your own note formats

    1. Step 1: Open Settings > AI > AI rules and, under Your note formats, press Make your own format….

    2. Step 2: Give it a Name of the format, then for each section a Section heading and, if you like, What goes in it (optional). Add a section adds another (up to 12).

    3. Step 3: Press Save the format. It appears wherever you choose a format and is drafted the same way as the built-in ones.

    • Change… edits it; notes already written keep their text. Delete removes it; those notes keep their text too.
    • Export… saves it as a small file and Import… adds one, to share a format with a colleague or another computer.
    • A list already open (such as the format beside Note on Record) shows a new format after Olive Grove is restarted.

    Our guide DAP, SOAP, BIRP and GIRP notes explains each format with a worked example.

    Was this article helpful?

    Related articles

    Still need help?

    Write to us. We read every message and reply within one business day.

    support@olivegrove.appWhat to include