I have a rather extensive template in EPIC (not in the real world yet though), which solves the checkbox != narrative problem. Essentially it says something like:
"He/She (epic knows which one) reports/denies (I choose) the following symptoms of depression:" Then there's a drop down box that lets me click a fairly detailed version of SIGECAPS. For example, the sleep choices include: initially insomnia, midnight insomnia, terminal insomnia, hypersomnia, etc and EPIC writes this out like a sentence and puts the appropriate "and" between the last 2 choices, so when it's done it reads like:
"He reports the following symptoms of depression: initial insomnia, hopelessness, helplessness, low energy, and decreased appetite. He denies suicidal ideation at this time."
I can right click and edit this (like add some details in parentheses after hopelessness.) or I can just put things at the end of it. So if I need to add anything to make it more clear I do.
The mental status exam is similar and I've gone to rather absurd lengths to build a set of "checkboxes" that give me a wide range of MSE's. Each one also has a wild card so I can free type out my MSE if a choice isn't there.
The risk assessment is in paragraph form and has checkboxes for reports/denies various risk factors (presence of guns at home), then their chronic and acute risk is documented as low, high, elevated, or whatever descriptor I want.
It's not ideal, but I can usually get an intake note done in less than 10 minutes. Much less if they're not complicated. I dictate at my moonlighting gig and am FAR slower at it and it's not as good for my non-linear brain. With this, if I forget something I can easily go back and add it before I sign the note. I'm always dictating things like, "can you go back up to the HPI and add this..." Not a problem in EMR land.