The session lasted 50 minutes and took place in-office. Client appeared unsure and reported feeling confused about what is real and what is not. They stated, "I don't even trust my own memory anymore." Client described their partner frequently telling them they are too sensitive or that events did not happen the way they remember, leading them to second-guess themselves. They reported feeling self-doubt and confusion as a result. Therapist explained the concept of gaslighting as a form of emotional abuse that causes individuals to doubt their own reality and validated that the client's perceptions and feelings are real and trustworthy. Client was encouraged to begin rebuilding trust in their own perceptions by keeping a journal of conversations and events to reference when their partner attempts to rewrite events. Boundaries were discussed, including what the client needs to feel safe and their actions if boundaries are crossed. Client identified a close friend who has also noticed similar patterns and can provide support. Safety planning was addressed, and resources for domestic violence support were provided. Client was assigned homework to begin journaling and to reach out to their friend for support. Client appeared scared but slightly more grounded by the end of the session. The next session is scheduled for next week to check in.
SIMPLE Note Example
Gaslighting in Relationships
Client identified gaslighting patterns, rebuilt trust in their perceptions, and developed boundaries and safety plans.
Generated SIMPLE Note:
Quill generated this note with AI from the summary that was provided. The therapist can then copy-and-paste the note into their current EHR platform.
Client Session Summary:
Here's the summary of this client session. Remember, Quill does not record the client session. A therapist would provide a summary (like the one below) after the session is over, and then Quill would generate a note similar to the one 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.
Other Note Formats:
Looking for a different note format? Quill can generate AI therapy progress notes for those too!
More About SIMPLE Notes:
From even more examples, to an overview of the format in general, to templates, to a cheat sheet, here's everything you need to know about SIMPLE notes.
Quill can write your SIMPLE notes!
With Quill, creating AI therapy progress notes and other documentation is as simple as providing a session summary. Quill’s AI quickly converts it into a well-structured therapy note, supporting multiple standard formats.
Try generating SIMPLE notes with Quill.
Try it for free. No credit card required.
More About Quill
See how a short summary becomes a complete SIMPLE note -- no session recordings, no session transcripts. Quill keeps the session private and turns the therapist's own rambling words into structured documentation.