Q: I love being a therapist, but I hate writing progress notes and sometimes can’t bring myself to do it. I know it’s risky not to write them. Is there a way to make this task less onerous? A: Every therapist knows that avoiding progress notes puts their practice in jeopardy. But of the thousands … [Read more...] about I’d Rather Clean the Toilet than Write Progress Notes: Making Peace With An Essential Task
How to Document Changes in Treatment During Covid-19 Without Writing Another Plan
Private practice therapists are expected to write a new treatment plan once a year. What happens when your well thought out plan gets thrown to the wind before it's time for an update? This scenario may be happening right now since the sudden outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Problems, goals, and … [Read more...] about How to Document Changes in Treatment During Covid-19 Without Writing Another Plan
How to Document for Tele-Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Adjusting to Telehealth We’re all trying to adjust to a new way of living and providing mental health services. I’m going to help you navigate the needs for tele-mental health documentation during the Corona virus pandemic. Most insurance companies are now finally on board with offering … [Read more...] about How to Document for Tele-Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Can Mental Health Providers Charge For Phone Calls?
Like most answers I give regarding being a mental health therapist and having a private practice, “yes” and “no.” WHY SHOULD MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CHARGE FOR PHONE CALLS? Phone calls can take a lot of time and time is what we’re paid for. If you don’t charge for these phone calls, … [Read more...] about Can Mental Health Providers Charge For Phone Calls?
Are Discharge Summaries Mandatory?
Do you need to write a discharge summary as a mental health provider? Yes and no. Confusing? Definitely. That’s because the standards are not consistent from one insurance company to the next. Here’s what I can tell you: Discharge Summaries for Medicaid Medicaid requires … [Read more...] about Are Discharge Summaries Mandatory?
EMRs and EHRs and Online Programs, oh my!
Do psychotherapists need to use EMRs or EHRs for writing clinical notes? The short answer is, “no.” Not yet. And maybe-not-ever. There are other (better) tools psychotherapists can use for writing clinical notes and documenting medical necessity. Really? Yes! To understand the … [Read more...] about EMRs and EHRs and Online Programs, oh my!
Use CPT Code 90837 for Higher Reimbursement Rates!
We love our work but unless we are independently wealthy, we need to be paid to do it. We don’t get paid for providing psychotherapy. We get paid for our time. Psychotherapy is what we spend our time doing. Other professionals charge for their time. We should too. When CPT codes for psychotherapy … [Read more...] about Use CPT Code 90837 for Higher Reimbursement Rates!
“I Love Writing Psychotherapy Notes”
If you ... experience doing your notes as a never-ending and tedious task, find it clinically irrelevant, andwould rather clean the bathroom I get it! You... don't know what or how much to write.resent the time it takes.wonder how to maintain client confidentiality.worry about legal … [Read more...] about “I Love Writing Psychotherapy Notes”
How to Document “Low Self-Esteem”
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?