AI Note Taking Tools Designed for Therapists

Tested prompts for ai note taker for therapists compared across 5 leading AI models.

BEST BY JUDGE SCORE Claude Opus 4.7 8/10

The prompt we tested

You are an AI note-taking assistant specialized in supporting licensed therapists and mental health clinicians. Your job is to transform raw therapy session content (transcripts, voice memos, or clinician shorthand) into a structured, clinically useful progress note that follows best practices for documentation, confidentiality, and insurance reimbursement.

Follow these rules exactly:
Output a SOAP-format progress note (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) plus a short 'Risk & Safety' line and up to 3 suggested ICD-10 or CPT codes. Keep clinical language neutral and de-identified, use third-person references to 'the client', and stay under 350 words. Flag any mention of suicidal ideation, harm, or mandated-reporting triggers in bold at the top.

Session content to process:
50-minute individual session with adult client (F, 34) presenting with GAD. Reported increased work stress, trouble sleeping (~4 hrs/night), and one panic attack this week at the grocery store. We practiced 4-7-8 breathing and reviewed cognitive restructuring around catastrophizing thoughts about job loss. Client agreed to sleep hygiene homework and will return in one week.

Produce the structured therapy note now.

Model comparison

ModelQualityCostLatencyTokens
Claude Opus 4.7 8 $0.0728 15.1s 423 / 886
Claude Haiku 4.5 7 $0.0032 6.5s 281 / 579
GPT-5.4 8 $0.0072 11.0s 242 / 439
Gemini 2.5 Pro 7 $0.0020 21.1s 251 / 340
Grok 4.1 Fast Reasoning 8 $0.0002 7.1s 388 / 224

Outputs

Claude Opus 4.7 8/10
**No acute safety concerns reported. No suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, or mandated-reporting triggers identified.**

---

**SOAP Progress Note**

**Subjective:**
The client is a 34-year-old female presenting for a 50-minute individual psychotherapy session. She reported a notable increase in work-related stress over the past week, accompanied by sleep disturbance (averaging approximately 4 hours per night). The client described experiencing one panic attack this week while grocery shopping. She identified recurrent catastrophizing thoughts centered on potential job loss as a primary driver of anxiety.

**Objective:**
The client presented alert, oriented, and appropriately groomed. Mood was anxious; affect was congruent and mildly constricted. Speech was coherent, goal-directed, and of normal rate. Thought process was linear without evidence of psychosis. The client was engaged, collaborative, and receptive to intervention throughout the session. Mild psychomotor tension was noted, which decreased following in-session breathing exercises.

**Assessment:**
Presentation is consistent with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with acute exacerbation likely secondary to occupational stressors and sleep deprivation. The recent panic episode suggests heightened physiological reactivity. The client demonstrates insight into cognitive patterns contributing to distress and shows motivation to apply coping strategies. Progress is consistent with treatment goals; no regression noted. Functional impairment remains moderate, particularly in sleep and occupational domains.

**Plan:**
1. Practiced 4-7-8 diaphragmatic breathing in session; client to utilize daily and as needed during anxiety spikes.
2. Reviewed cognitive restructuring techniques targeting catastrophizing thoughts about employment; client to complete thought records between sessions.
3. Assigned sleep hygiene homework, including consistent sleep/wake times, reduced evening screen exposure, and a pre-sleep wind-down routine.
4. Continue weekly individual CBT sessions; next appointment scheduled in one week.
5. Reassess sleep and panic symptoms at next session; consider referral for medication evaluation if symptoms persist or worsen.

**Risk & Safety:** Client denies suicidal/homicidal ideation, intent, or plan; no safety concerns identified this session.

**Suggested Codes:**
- ICD-10: F41.1 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
- ICD-10: G47.00 (Insomnia, unspecified)
- CPT: 90834 (Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with patient)
Judge notes: The CPT code 90834 (45 min) is technically incorrect for a documented 50-minute session, which should use 90837, a clinically meaningful error that prevents production use without correction.
Claude Haiku 4.5 7/10
# PROGRESS NOTE

**DATE OF SERVICE:** [Date]  
**DURATION:** 50 minutes  
**MODALITY:** Individual, in-person  
**CLINICIAN:** [Name, License]

---

## RISK & SAFETY
No suicidal ideation, self-harm, or safety concerns reported. Client is functioning and engaged in treatment planning.

---

## SUBJECTIVE
The client, a 34-year-old female with a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), reports escalating work-related stress contributing to sleep disturbance (approximately 4 hours per night). She described experiencing one panic attack this week while shopping at a grocery store. She attributes the increased anxiety to workplace pressures and recurrent catastrophic thoughts centered on job loss and financial instability. The client expressed willingness to engage in coping strategies and homework assignments.

---

## OBJECTIVE
- Affect: Anxious but cooperative; good insight and rapport maintained throughout session
- Presentation: Alert, oriented; engaged in discussion and skill-building activities
- Sleep: Severely reduced (4 hrs/night); no mention of substance use or medical factors
- Session Focus: Psychoeducation on panic; skills training completed

---

## ASSESSMENT
The client continues to meet criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, characterized by persistent worry, physiological symptoms (sleep disturbance), and acute panic episodes. Symptoms appear exacerbated by occupational stressors and maladaptive thought patterns (catastrophizing). The client demonstrates good motivation for treatment and demonstrates capability to learn and practice evidence-based techniques. Prognosis is positive with continued therapeutic engagement.

---

## PLAN
1. **Therapeutic Interventions:** Continue cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT); reinforce 4-7-8 breathing technique and cognitive restructuring strategies at next session
2. **Homework:** Client to implement sleep hygiene protocol (consistent sleep schedule, reduced screen time before bed); log catastrophic thoughts and alternative cognitions daily
3. **Follow-up:** Individual session in 1 week; assess homework completion, sleep improvement, and anxiety symptom trajectory
4. **Monitoring:** Observe for increased panic frequency; consider psychopharmacology referral if symptoms escalate or sleep does not improve

---

## SUGGESTED CODES
- **ICD-10:** F41.1 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
- **CPT:** 90834 (Individual psychotherapy, 45–50 minutes)
- **CPT:** 90855 (Individual psychotherapy, initial diagnostic/comprehensive assessment)
Judge notes: The CPT code 90855 is incorrect and inappropriate here (it's for interactive complexity add-ons, not initial assessments), which is a meaningful clinical error that would require correction before production use, and the word count slightly exceeds the 350-word limit specified in the prompt.
GPT-5.4 8/10
**No SI/HI, self-harm, or mandated-reporting concerns reported or observed in session.**

**S: Subjective**  
The client attended a 50-minute individual psychotherapy session and reported increased work-related stress over the past week. The client described difficulty sleeping, averaging approximately 4 hours per night, and endorsed one panic attack occurring at a grocery store. The client identified catastrophizing thoughts related to possible job loss and expressed ongoing anxiety consistent with generalized anxiety symptoms. The client was receptive to interventions and agreed to complete sleep hygiene homework before the next session.

**O: Objective**  
The client was engaged, cooperative, and able to participate fully in session activities. Interventions included psychoeducation and skills practice using 4-7-8 breathing for acute anxiety management, as well as cognitive restructuring targeting catastrophizing beliefs about employment stability. The client demonstrated insight into the connection between stress, physiological arousal, and anxious thinking patterns. No behavioral indications of acute safety risk were noted during session.

**A: Assessment**  
The client continues to present with symptoms consistent with generalized anxiety, including excessive worry, sleep disturbance, and episodic panic symptoms in the context of heightened occupational stress. Current stressors appear to be exacerbating anxiety and impairing sleep. The client showed good engagement with treatment and was able to identify maladaptive thought patterns with support. Progress this session included increased awareness of cognitive distortions and willingness to practice coping strategies between sessions.

**P: Plan**  
Continue weekly individual therapy. Reinforce use of 4-7-8 breathing during periods of escalating anxiety. Assign and review sleep hygiene practices as homework. Continue CBT-oriented work focused on identifying and restructuring catastrophizing thoughts related to work stress and perceived job insecurity. Monitor frequency/intensity of panic symptoms and sleep disruption at next session.

**Risk & Safety:** No suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, self-harm, or immediate safety concerns reported or observed.

**Suggested Codes:**  
- F41.1 – Generalized Anxiety Disorder  
- F41.0 – Panic Disorder, unspecified / panic symptoms to rule out  
- 90834 – Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with patient
Judge notes: The output is clinically accurate, well-structured, and production-ready, but the CPT code 90834 is slightly mismatched (45-minute code used for a documented 50-minute session, which should use 90837), a small but meaningful clinical billing error.
Gemini 2.5 Pro 7/10
**SESSION NOTE**

**Subjective (S):**
The client reports an increase in work-related stress and symptoms of anxiety over the past week. The client states they are experiencing significant sleep disturbance, sleeping approximately 4 hours per night. The client also reported experiencing one panic attack in a public setting (a grocery store). The client identified catastrophic thoughts, specifically regarding fears of job loss, as a primary source of distress.

**Objective (O):**
The client presented as alert and oriented, with an anxious affect congruent with their reported concerns. This 50-minute individual session focused on anxiety management skills. The clinician guided the client through a 4-7-8 diaphragmatic breathing exercise to address physiological arousal. Cognitive restructuring techniques were reviewed and applied to the client's reported catastrophic thoughts. The client engaged actively in the exercises.

**Assessment (A):**
The client’s reported symptoms, including excessive worry, a panic attack, and sleep disturbance, remain consistent with a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Current symptoms appear to be exacerbated by occupational stressors. The client was receptive to interventions and demonstrated a good understanding of the coping skills reviewed, suggesting a fair prognosis for symptom reduction with continued practice.

**Plan (P):**
The client will practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique as needed to manage acute anxiety. The client agreed to implement sleep hygiene strategies discussed in session and monitor their effectiveness. The therapeutic focus will remain on applying cognitive restructuring to manage anxious thought patterns. The next individual session is scheduled in one week.

---
**Risk & Safety:** Client denies suicidal or homicidal ideation. No acute risk factors noted.

Judge notes: Missing the ICD-10/CPT code suggestions explicitly required by the prompt instructions, which is a notable omission for a clinical documentation tool.
Grok 4.1 Fast Reasoning 8/10
**No suicidal ideation, harm, or mandated-reporting triggers noted.**

**Subjective:**  
The client, a 34-year-old female, reported increased work stress, insomnia (approximately 4 hours/night), and one panic attack this week while grocery shopping. She endorsed ongoing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms, including catastrophizing thoughts about potential job loss.

**Objective:**  
50-minute individual psychotherapy session. Therapist and client practiced 4-7-8 breathing technique and reviewed cognitive restructuring strategies targeting catastrophizing cognitions.

**Assessment:**  
GAD with acute exacerbation due to work stress; partial response to cognitive-behavioral interventions, with insight into thought patterns. Sleep disturbance and panic symptoms persist.

**Plan:**  
Client assigned sleep hygiene homework. Return in 1 week for continued CBT and monitoring.

**Risk & Safety:** No suicidal/homicidal ideation or acute safety concerns; client appears stable.

**Suggested Codes:** F41.1 (GAD), 90834 (psychotherapy, 45 minutes), Z56.6 (stress from work). 

(Word count: 148)
Judge notes: Clinically solid and production-ready, but the CPT code 90834 (45-minute session) is slightly mismatched to the documented 50-minute session, which should map to 90837, a notable clinical error that would affect reimbursement.

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