Your therapist is typing/writing away during your session, jotting down the important information. Have you ever wondered what they’re actually taking note of?
Counsellors keep a close eye on many metrics as a way to look at progress. Recording and storing session notes is actually mandatory, to ensure you’re getting the best care possible. So what kind of things do we track behind the scenes to help you heal faster?
The Actual Session
Therapists will record generally what was discussed during the session and what interventions were used. They also note down what they notice about your mood, body language, tone, etc. Remember they’re not there to judge, or assume they know exactly what you’re feeling. But, overtime, this might help identify patterns (such as swearing more when anxious, wringing your hands when mad) so they can better understand what’s going on beneath the surface. It can also be useful in identifying central themes and behaviour patterns that may be impacting your life.
Homework
We all thought homework was over once we graduated, and yet… Your therapist will keep an eye on what you’re doing at home. Again, this is more for their purposes to know what to do in the next session, what to give you to work on, how you’re progressing, etc. They will not (or shouldn’t be) “mad” or “disappointed” if it doesn’t all get done. This way they can tweak the work they’re giving you if it’s not getting the desired results, or reinforce the at-home content if it is indeed helping.
Goals
No matter the type of therapy you’re doing, there’s likely some goals that you’re working towards. Whether it’s your reactions to certain triggers, thought patterns, or behaviours, your therapist will note where you are in terms of these milestones. This may be by asking for a rating on a scale of 1-10, symptoms, looking at homework sheets, or other metrics.
Suggestions/Plans
To keep sessions focused and ensure you get the most out of your time, they’ll likely jot down some ideas about what to revisit next time (and ask you for your input on the same thing). It’s important to be on the same page, so any concerns you bring up are typically noted to be sure they’re addressed.
At the end of the day, therapists want to help. By keeping detailed notes of your sessions, goals and homework they can watch progress over time and keep doing what’s working, pivoting on things that aren’t. Under the Personal Information Protection Act (or PIPA) you can request to see your progress notes at any time.
If you’re curious about other therapy processes, reach out for a free consultation here.
