🗒️ Should Therapists Even Keep Notes?
The question of whether to even keep notes of clients’ sessions can be a complex and delicate matter. Some therapeutic models argue that note-keeping can interfere with the process, while others see it as essential for guiding the work and ensuring ethical, safe practice.
The guidance around this varies by modality, but the general trend is clear: therapists are expected to maintain notes that capture the key points and insights from sessions.
Some therapists jot down brief notes during sessions and expand on them later. Others prefer relying on memory and writing comprehensive notes afterwards. Personally, I believe that my notes guide the therapy I deliver, I briefly outline what we did, what emerged, and what I want to consider next time, my notes are minimal.
With GDPR, the principle is simple: only record and retain information that is necessary for the service you provide. That makes clear, structured note-keeping an ethical and professional responsibility.
In the next section, we’ll go deeper into how to store therapy notes securely, stay GDPR-compliant, and decide exactly what to keep (and what not to). Subscribe to continue reading and get the full guide.
We explore:
✅ How to store paper notes safely and prevent data loss
✅ Exactly how long to keep notes and why
✅ What to do in the event of a data breach
✅ How to respond to client requests for copies, alterations, or destruction of notes
✅ When you need a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) and what it should include - Copy and paste mine.