Free GIRP Note Template

What is a GIRP note?

A GIRP note extends the BIRP format by explicitly tying each progress note to a specific treatment-plan goal. The acronym stands for Goal, Intervention, Response, and Plan. The first section names which treatment-plan goal the session addressed, the remaining sections document the intervention applied to move toward that goal, the client's response, and the plan forward. GIRP is used by programs and clinicians who want to make the medical-necessity connection explicit on every note — auditors reviewing the chart should be able to read any progress note and immediately see which treatment goal is being addressed. Many state Medicaid programs and managed-care contracts require GIRP format or explicitly prefer it because it eliminates any ambiguity about whether clinical services are medically necessary.

What's in this template

This free GIRP note template includes four sections with emphasis on goal-tracking:

• Goal: The specific treatment-plan goal being addressed in this session (reference the goal name and number from the treatment plan)
• Intervention: Therapeutic techniques, skills teaching, psychoeducation, or case-management actions taken to move toward the stated goal
• Response: Client engagement with the intervention, observable progress toward the goal, barriers encountered, and readiness for the next step
• Plan: Next interventions toward the same goal, adjustments to the approach if needed, follow-up appointments, and any revision to the goal itself if progress indicates change is needed

The template enforces that each session is documented in service of a specific, measurable treatment goal.

When to use GIRP format

GIRP notes are required or recommended for:

• Any program using structured treatment planning with measurable goals
• Medicaid-funded services where medical necessity must be explicitly documented
• Managed-care contracts requiring clear linkage between services and treatment goals
• Educational and school-based mental health services
• Agencies using goal-attainment scaling or similar outcome-tracking methods
• Any practice where clinicians work from a treatment plan and need notes to demonstrate progress

GIRP is particularly valuable when documenting progress toward goals that are complex or long-term, and when external reviewers or supervisors need to quickly verify that treatment is addressing documented needs.

How to use the template with Scriber

Scriber generates GIRP notes from your session recording. Tell Scriber which treatment-plan goal the session addressed, and the AI scribe will structure the note to show: goal (clearly labeled), what you did therapeutically to move toward that goal, how the client responded, and what happens next. This is especially helpful for clinicians managing multiple goals for a single client across sessions — Scriber tracks the goal continuity so you don't have to manually link each note to its goal. You review the draft, confirm the goal reference is correct, edit for accuracy, and sign.

Download (free)

This template is available as a PDF and as an editable DOCX file. It pairs well with any treatment-planning system; customize the goal-reference field to match your format (goal number, name, or both).

[Download PDF]

Related templates

Looking for other goal-tracking note formats?

• BIRP Note Template — Standard four-section format without explicit goal reference
• SIRP Note Template — Alternative four-section format for case management and wraparound services