How to Write a Functional Process Note (FPN)

A Context-Sensitive Format for Documenting Change, Shaping, and Direction in Session

What Is a Functional Process Note (FPN)?

The Functional Process Note (FPN) is a clinical documentation tool rooted in the principles of Functional Contextualism (FC) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT). It is designed to help therapists track and influence client behavior based on what’s happening in the moment, how behavior functions in context, and how therapeutic interventions shape movement toward meaningful change.

Unlike traditional notes that emphasize content or diagnosis, the FPN focuses on:

• Function over form (What is this behavior doing?)
• Process over content (What patterns are being shaped?)
• Trajectory over symptom relief (Is the client moving toward values?)

It provides a structured, pragmatic way to document evoked content, interventions, observed shifts, and ongoing direction—essentially capturing both what occurred and how it matters.

How to Complete an FPN