Esther Perel's definition of self-esteem is, "Seeing yourself as a flawed person, and still holding yourself in high regard." It's a common occurrence that clients come to treatment feeling broken and hopeless, reporting low self-esteem, and not believing they will ever be able to hold themselves … [Read more...] about How to Document “Low Self-Esteem”
I Don’t Take Insurance. Do I Still Need to Write Treatment Plans and Progress Notes?
Yes! Documentation has always been a standard in our profession so it's required. And here are other good reasons why. Even if you do not take insurance, if you see a client who has out-of-network benefits and uses a PPO, you can still be audited. This means you still have to justify medical … [Read more...] about I Don’t Take Insurance. Do I Still Need to Write Treatment Plans and Progress Notes?
When a Client Wants SSI or SSDI
A therapist recently asked me how to handle a request from the Social Security Administration for the medical records of a client she hadn’t seen in several months and only for two sessions. The request was accompanied by a signed release so it was legitimate. Not having access to the client’s … [Read more...] about When a Client Wants SSI or SSDI
How to Diagnose for Couple’s Counseling
Many couples presenting for couple’s counseling do not fit into a billable diagnostic category. How do I write a treatment plan and session notes -- or bill the insurance company if I don’t have a diagnosis? I’ve been getting a version of this question in my workshops, Misery or Mastery; … [Read more...] about How to Diagnose for Couple’s Counseling