Using pre-built templates and your template library

Nadya

Updated March 17, 2026 20:14

In SimplePractice, you can use templates to save time on documentation and ensure consistency in record keeping across your practice. To view the templates that SimplePractice offers, in the settings menu, select documentation and then template library. Your template library shows the templates that have been added in your account by default. Scrolling to the bottom, you also have options to customize the client document format settings, like including your practice logo or text in the footer. You can click browse pre built templates to access hundreds of additional templates Simple practice offers. These range from client questionnaires and intake forms to templates for your documentation, for example, progress notes and treatment plans. There's also a helpful collection of other documents, like safety plans and discharge summaries. Click preview to quickly get an idea of what is included in the template, and click add to add it to your template library and start using it. Click the title of the template to customize it in the template builder, or you can create your own template from scratch by clicking build new template. To learn more about using the template builder, click the link at the end of this video.

You can streamline documentation using pre-built templates from the template library. This guide explains template types, how to access and add them to your account, and includes a complete list of available templates.

In this guide, we'll cover:

Reviewing available template types
Managing your template library
Previewing and adding a pre-built template
FAQs

Reviewing available template types

The template library includes 5 categories: scored measures, intake forms, progress notes/session notes, diagnosis and treatment plans, and other documents. Templates are organized alphabetically within each category.

Note: The default templates included in your account are based on your specialty. If needed, you can update your specialty in Settings > Profile > Clinical info.

Scored measures

Scored measures are client-facing questionnaires completed through the Client Portal. Responses automatically generate scores and graphs on the client’s Measures tab. For more information, see Getting started with measurement-based care.

Intake forms

Intake forms are client-facing questionnaires shared through the Client Portal. They appear in the client’s Files tab. To learn more, see Sharing a form, document, or uploaded file with a client or contact.

Progress notes

Progress notes are clinician-facing documents related to appointments. Completed notes can be shared via the Client Portal for e-signatures. For more information, see Adding progress notes for individual appointments.

Diagnosis and treatment plans

Diagnosis and treatment plans are clinician-facing documents outlining care plans. Completed plans can be shared via the Client Portal. To learn more, see Adding diagnoses and treatment plans.

Managing your template library

The template library is intended to show all templates that you've created, and/or are interested in using. To access the template library, navigate to Settings > Documentation > Template library.

For each template listed in the template library, you can:

Check the box next to the form to use it with clients
- This will be different depending on the form you're using

Type of documentation	What happens when a box is checked for the template
Scored measures	Will be added to your shareable documents, and be available for selection when you share intakes with a client
Intake forms	Will be added to your shareable documents, and be available for selection when you share intakes with a client
Progress notes	Will be available as a template to use when you're creating a progress note
Diagnosis and treatment plans	Will be available as a template to use when you're creating a diagnosis and treatment plan
Other documents	Will be available as a template to use when you're creating an other document

Click on the template name to edit the template

Check box and name of template to use and edit

On the right of each template, you also have the options to:

Preview the template with the eye icon
Duplicate the template with the paper icon
Delete the template with the trash icon

Preview, duplicate, and delete icons for a template in the template library

Previewing and adding a pre-built template

To preview and add a pre-built template to your template library:

Navigate to Settings > Documentation > Template library
Click Browse pre-built templates

Browse pre-built templates in Template Library

Select + Add to add it to your template library

Add template to Template Library

Note: You can also click the eye icon to preview a template. While previewing, you can print a copy by clicking the printer icon.

You can filter templates by specialty using the View all professions dropdown.

View all professions filter in Template Library

To learn how to edit a pre-built template or create your own, see Creating a new template and accessing the template builder.

FAQs

How do I use Release of Information (ROI) templates?
Where can I find letter templates?
What pre-built templates are available in SimplePractice?

How do I use Release of Information (ROI) templates?

Release of Information templates are available as either an intake form or an other document and should be customized to meet your practice and state requirements.

You can use the ROI as an intake form if you'll be using the same version with all clients. For details, see Sending intake forms and documents to clients.
You can use the ROI as an other document if it needs to be customized per client. You'll need to sign the ROI first, before sharing it with the client for their signature. For details, see Adding other documents.

To learn how to customize an ROI template, see Creating a new template and accessing the template builder.

Where can I find letter templates?

SimplePractice offers free, customizable letter templates you can download and edit for your practice. To access these, visit Mental Health Letter Templates.

What pre-built templates are available in SimplePractice?

Note: Full access to pre-built templates is available on the Essential and Plus plans. The Starter plan includes intake forms and scored measures only.

Below is a list of available templates by category: