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Marriage & Family Therapy · Templates
Couples therapy note template
Designed for marriage and family therapists documenting conjoint sessions—who attended, the interaction cycle, interventions used, each partner’s response, and between-session agreements.
Template content
Copy or download, then paste into Wavo under My Templates.
Couples Therapy Note Session Information - Attendees present/absent, modality, duration, and session focus. - Individual vs conjoint portions if any (and rationale). Presenting Concerns / Interval Events - Conflicts, closeness/distance, stressors, and progress since last session in each partner’s words when useful. - Relational goals addressed today. Interaction Patterns Observed - Pursue/withdraw, criticism/defensiveness, escalation cycle, or other systemic patterns enacted in session. - Strengths and moments of connection observed. Interventions - Techniques used (e.g., EFT enactments, Gottman interventions, communication skills, restructuring, psychoeducation). - Content themes facilitated. Partner Responses - Each partner’s engagement, affect, insight, and ability to try new behaviors in session. Safety - IPV, coercion, threats, or substance-related safety concerns if assessed; actions taken if indicated. - Individual SI/HI if disclosed—document and manage per protocol. Assessment / Progress Toward Relational Goals - Status relative to couples goals; alliance (within-system and with therapist). Plan / Homework - Between-session agreements, rituals, skills practice, individual referrals if needed, and next appointment.
When to use this template
What makes the structure useful, and which visits it fits best.
Why this template works
Structural advantages for real documentation
Best for
Visit types and clinicians who use this format
- Captures systemic patterns instead of only one individual’s symptom list.
- Documents each partner’s engagement and response for continuity and ethics.
- Keeps safety (IPV, coercion) as an explicit check when clinically indicated.
- Homework and ritual agreements become trackable across sessions.
- 1Conjoint couples therapy
- 2Marriage and family therapy sessions
- 3EFT, Gottman-informed, and systemic modalities
Example output shape
Illustrative excerpt of how a visit can land in this structure. Not a real patient record—review and edit every note before signing.
Session Information Conjoint session; both partners present via telehealth, 60 minutes. Focus: de-escalating evening arguments about chores/parenting. Interval Events Two escalations this week ending in stonewalling (Partner A) and raised voice (Partner B). Both want fewer fights before bedtime. Patterns Observed Pursue (B) / withdraw (A) cycle activated when discussing dishes; softened slightly when therapist slowed pace. Interventions Mapped conflict cycle on whiteboard; practiced speaker-listener with 3-minute turns; EFT-style reflection of underlying fear (left out vs criticized). Responses Partner B tearful then calmer; Partner A engaged after initial shutdown and named shutdown as overwhelm. Both completed one repair attempt in session. Safety Denied IPV, threats, and SI. No substances involved in conflicts per report. Plan Nightly 10-minute check-in using speaker-listener; pause rule if voice rises. Next session: parenting teamwork agreement. Follow-up in 1 week.
How Wavo automates this
What the product actually does with your template.
2. Record or dictate
Capture the encounter with ambient recording or dictation. Wavo structures the note using your template.
3. Review and sign
Edit with Smart Transform if needed, then export or copy into your EHR. You stay responsible for the final note.
Put this template to work on your next visit
Start free, paste the template, and see how Wavo documents in your structure.