Which term describes reporting therapy sessions with objective language and observable behaviors, avoiding inferring thoughts or feelings?

• A. Objective Sessions Notes
• B. Subjective Sessions Notes
• C. Interpretive Notes
• D. Emotional Notes

Answer: (A)

Reporting therapy sessions with objective language means describing what happened in observable, measurable terms rather than guessing what the client is thinking or feeling. This is captured by the term Objective Sessions Notes.

For example, you would write that the client shouted 5 times, //made eye contact with the clinician 2 times,// or followed a prompting sequence in 3 out of 5 trials. You would not say the client is "angry" or "frustrated," because emotions are internal states and require inference.

Subjective Sessions Notes would include personal feelings or interpretations about why the client behaved a certain way. Interpretive Notes would describe conclusions or theories about the client’s thoughts or motivations. Emotional Notes would focus on emotions rather than observable actions. Objective notes are preferred because they provide clear, observable data that can be monitored and analyzed over time.