In a BIRP note, which component records the planned next steps?

• A. Behavior
• B. Intervention
• C. Response
• D. Plan

Answer: (D)

In a BIRP note, the section that records the next steps is where you lay out what will happen after the session. This is the Plan. It includes goals for the client, homework or coping skills to practice before the next session, referrals or follow-up actions, and any changes to the treatment plan. The Plan is about future actions and how progress will be continued, so it clearly guides what happens next.

For example, you might note that the client will practice a specific coping skill daily, attend a recommended group, and schedule the next session for a week later. This shows continuity of care and sets clear expectations for both client and clinician. The other sections capture what was observed (Behavior), what was done during the session (Intervention), and how the client responded (Response), but they don’t specify the planned next steps—that’s the Plan.