1. Therapy Note Examples
  2. Gaslighting in Relationships

Therapy Note Example

Gaslighting in Relationships

Client identified gaslighting patterns, rebuilt trust in their perceptions, and developed boundaries and safety plans.

Therapy Progress Notes:

These therapy progress notes were written by Quill based on this specific therapy scenario.

BIRP Note DAP Note PIRP Note SIMPLE Note SOAP Note

(You can also read more about the different therapy note formats.)

Client Session Summary:

The therapy progress notes listed above were generated based on this summary of a client session. Quill does not record the client session. Hopefully this helps illustrate how Quill works -- a therapist would provide a summary (like this one below) after the session is over, and Quill would then generate a note like one of these examples above.

Today's session was 50 minutes, in-office. Jordan came in looking really unsure of themselves and said they've been feeling confused a lot lately about what's real and what's not. They said quote 'I don't even trust my own memory anymore' unquote. They described how their partner keeps telling them they're too sensitive or that things didn't happen the way they remember. They'll bring up something their partner said or did, and their partner will say they're imagining it or overreacting, and after a while Jordan started to believe it. They said it's gotten to the point where they second-guess everything.

We talked about gaslighting and how it's a form of emotional abuse where someone manipulates you into doubting your own reality. I explained that what they're experiencing, the confusion, the self-doubt, the feeling like they can't trust themselves, those are really common effects of gaslighting. Jordan seemed relieved and also really sad, like they'd been holding onto hope that maybe they were just being too sensitive. I validated that their perceptions and feelings are real and trustworthy, and that the confusion is coming from someone else's manipulation, not from a flaw in them.

We worked on rebuilding trust in their own perceptions. I suggested they start keeping a journal of conversations and events, just the facts, so they have something to refer back to when their partner tries to rewrite what happened.

Let me think, what else did we cover. Oh yeah, we talked about boundaries, what they need in order to feel safe, and what they'll do if those boundaries get crossed. We discussed whether they have support outside the relationship, people who can reality-check with them and remind them they're not crazy. Jordan said they have a close friend who's been noticing the same things, which is good. We also talked about safety planning, in case things escalate. I gave them some resources for domestic violence support, just to have on hand. Their homework is to start that journal this week and to reach out to their friend for support. They seemed scared but also a little more grounded, like they're starting to trust themselves again. We'll meet again next week to check in.

More about Quill and how it can help write therapy progress notes:

Quill Therapy Solutions eliminates the hassle of writing therapy notes. Supporting many standard formats, Quill turns any session summary into a professional note for $20 a month, with no limits on usage. Try Quill today!

Quill Therapy Solutions
About Quill

With only a brief session summary, Quill generates notes and other documentation for therapists. Notably, Quill does not record client sessions -- keeping those conversations private between therapist and client.

Try Quill for free.
No credit card required.

Learn more.
Ethical AI notes.