Why Body-Doubling Helps Psychotherapists Get Progress Notes DONE!
“Exhausting, annoying, demoralizing, and lonely.” This is a common refrain I hear from psychotherapists about documentation. These normal feelings breed avoidance, which leads to falling behind on notes. Behind long enough, it’s easy to develop the belief that you’re bad therapists.
Getting behind on notes happens to all of us because we’re not superhuman. Let’s face it, if you are short on time and have to choose between writing notes and providing good therapy, of course you choose good therapy. But notes need to get done. So, what can you do about it? You can join the growing number of therapists who use “body-doubling” for getting caught up on notes and staying caught up.
WHAT IS BODY-DOUBLING?
You may have heard about the term “body-doubling” in the context of film making. It’s a look-alike who stands in for an actor. In day-to-day life, a “body double” sits silently with you while you work, either virtually or in person. It’s a highly effective and productive way of getting work done and a great resource for therapists who struggle to both start and complete their paperwork.
WHY DOES BODY-DOUBLING WORK?
Documentation Wizard® has been testing the body-doubling process in our monthly Dash & Done co-working sessions. The results reported by our participants show us why it works.
Provides Accountability and External Motivation
Accountability is at the heart of body-doubling. Because you’re in the same room, either face-to-face or virtually (with the camera on), it creates an external motivation to stay focused. It’s like working in a library. It’s harder to let yourself be distracted because the expectation creates an obligation to remain on task.
“Knowing that others were going to be plopped in front of their computer helps. Like we are all struggling together, and I just felt relief from some of the anxiety because of the community. I had to take more breaks than other people, maybe because it was hard for me, but I kept coming back which is good for me. When I am alone I don’t.”
– N.L., LICSW
Reduces Isolation and Increases Social Supports
Being a psychotherapist can be isolating and lonely particularly with the increase of virtual appointments. Body-doubling offers a way to break the isolation without the expectation of constant conversation. You can share thoughts, feelings, and accomplishments during the breaks and work during work time. This kind of support is particularly helpful for people with ADHD who struggle to complete tasks that don’t grab their attention.
“I have found Dash & Done so helpful because I feel accountable and less alone and more motivated. My ADHD brain craves having a body-double to help with tasks that I don’t like. Coming to this space provides me with the body double as well as support from you and other attendees. I lean on your reassurance that not feeling confident about documentation doesn’t make me a bad therapist! Thank you so much for creating this space.”
– Kimberly Davis, LMHC
Calms Anxiety and Reduces Shame
Getting behind on notes can trigger feeling like a bad therapist while facing the mounting task of doing notes alone can increase feeling anxious. Sharing space with other therapists who understand your feelings creates camaraderie and a common purpose. Not being “in this alone” reduces the shame. A body double can help soothe anxiety by creating a shared work experience even though you aren’t interacting because a body double acts as a stabilizing presence. It’s particularly helpful for people with anxiety disorders. The presence of another person can have a grounding effect.
“You’ve fostered a safe, non-judgmental space where we can be vulnerable about our documentation challenges. Because of this community, I no longer feel nervous or embarrassed to ask questions or share where I am with my documentation.”
– M. K., LPC, NCC
Creates Structure and Routine
Body-doubling provides a structured process for completing work. It’s often organized by scheduling several hours alternating 25 minutes of work with 5 minutes of break time. Depending on the length of the session, a longer break is taken for lunch or for just taking a walk.
Knowing that you have a specific and regular time to work on your notes can help you establish a note-writing routine. Having a consistent schedule makes it easier to “get with the flow.” It can also help you break big tasks into achievable goals. Body-doubling is really supportive when the sessions are scheduled on a regular and count-on-able basis. People with ADHD find this structure especially helpful for organizing themselves.
Blocking out these dedicated work sessions prevents tasks from spilling over into personal time, reducing burnout.
“I’m not even close to caught up or okay with documentation. But it’s really not good for my mental health to be struggling with documentation and being alone in it. It’s been very helpful to gain ideas and ways to implement things. I have hardcore avoidance issues around documentation. The accountability with Dash & Done co-working sessions and scheduling around it is really helpful.”
– A.S., Pd.D.
Positive Peer Pressure and Support
Knowing others are working makes it less likely you’ll procrastinate even when you want to check email and social media. The presence of others on screen is an encouraging reminder to keep going. There’s also time to share accomplishments, struggles, insights, and tips during the breaks.
“Private Practice can be very isolating and getting notes or other administrative tasks done is challenging! Dash and Done is a relaxed, structured time to get caught up while in the company of supportive colleagues.”
– Carol J. S. Nickerson, LICSW
GETTING BEHIND ON NOTES DOESN’T MAKE YOU A BAD THERAPIST
In fact, it could point to you being a really good one. But getting behind can also wreak havoc with needed time off, your own mental health, and your income. Body doubling is a highly effective strategy for starting and completing both challenging and boring tasks because it helps increase concentration and motivation, combats exhaustion, procrastination, demoralization, self-doubt, and loneliness. Having the structure even helps carve out time for other pursuits you enjoy. Body-doubling can provide therapists with just the right recipe for catching up on notes and staying caught up.
DOCUMENTATION DASH & DONE
If you need structure and support for getting your notes done in a shame-free space, join Documentation Wizard’s Membership Circle. At every level you get access to our monthly Dash & Done, 4.5 hour ONLINE co-working sessions that provide structure and accountability that help you be focused and productive. Make time for the structure and support you crave and deserve.
Membership Circle is a community of other supportive and compassionate therapists who share the same vision; documentation that passes audits, fulfills professional standards of care, contributes to clinical assessments, and that are DONE! Connect with peers, exchange ideas, and find the camaraderie you need to subdue documentation dread.
Beth Rontal, LICSW, a private practice therapist and the Documentation Wizard® is a nationally recognized consultant on mental health documentation. Her newest initiative, Membership Circle, is designed to empower psychotherapists to master documentation with expert guidance, efficient strategies, and a supportive community. Her Misery and Mastery® trainings and accompanying forms are developed to meet strict Medicare requirements. Beth’s Documentation Wizard® training program helps clinicians turn their clinical skill and intuition into a systematic review of treatment that helps to pass audits, protect income, maintain professional standards of care, reduce documentation anxiety and increase self-confidence. Beth’s forms have been approved by 3 attorneys and a bioethicist and have been used all over the world. She mastered her teaching skills with thousands of hours supervising and training both seasoned professionals and interns when supervising at an agency for 11 years.