What do Progress Notes and Dirty Dishes Have in Common?If you don’t write your notes or do your dishes, you can go hungry.Let’s face it, no one likes washing dishes or writing progress notes. They can both pile up faster than rabbits reproduce. But everyone likes it when they’re done. If the reward … [Read more...] about What do Progress Notes and Dirty Dishes Have in Common?
BODY-DOUBLING: Why it Helps Psychotherapists Get Progress Notes DONE!
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 … [Read more...] about BODY-DOUBLING: Why it Helps Psychotherapists Get Progress Notes DONE!
Client, Patient, or Name: Which to Use in Mental Health Documentation?
Client, Patient, or Name: Which to Use in Mental Health Documentation?“What is the proper way to refer to a client when writing my notes? Do I use their first name, or do I refer to them as ‘client’ or ‘patient,’ which is their role in our relationship?” I get this question a lot and am fond … [Read more...] about Client, Patient, or Name: Which to Use in Mental Health Documentation?
Documenting Group Therapy
Documenting Group TherapyTo say that running groups is both challenging and rewarding is like saying that you love to cook but hate to clean up afterwards. The difference is that you can get others to clean up but you still need to write your own notes.REWARDS OF RUNNING GROUP THERAPYThere’s truly … [Read more...] about Documenting Group Therapy
Challenges with AI in Progress Notes
Insights into using AI from a Mental Health Therapist and Documentation ExpertIn an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, it's no surprise that artificial intelligence (AI) is finding a home in mental health care. One area where AI is gaining greater use is in the creation of … [Read more...] about Challenges with AI in Progress Notes
The Ethics of Other People Writing Your Treatment Plan
The Ethics of Other People Writing Your Treatment PlanQUESTIONIs it ethical for one therapist to write a Treatment Plan for another therapist to use? At my group practice, I’m often asked as a licensed therapist to do an Intake and write the Treatment Plan to hand off to a master’s level … [Read more...] about The Ethics of Other People Writing Your Treatment Plan
Should I Document Medications on Progress Notes?
QUESTION: Should I Document Medications on Progress Notes?I have heard from others, who consider themselves Medicare documentation experts, that it is unnecessary to document anything about psychiatric medication compliance and effectiveness. They advise against it as it is the prescriber's job, not … [Read more...] about Should I Document Medications on Progress Notes?
Mental Health Documentation for Worker’s Compensation
Mental Health Documentation for Worker’s CompensationA therapist recently asked me how to document for a Worker’s Compensation claim. Some companies will accept a summary of treatment. Most will want the client’s full record. That will include the Diagnostic Assessment, Treatment Plan, … [Read more...] about Mental Health Documentation for Worker’s Compensation
5 Types of Insurance Reviews
If you’ve ever gotten a letter from a health insurance company and felt your blood pressure spike while you open it, you’re not alone. The fear of being audited can cause as much anxiety as having a suicidal client. But just like a range in client risk, there is more or less risk involved with … [Read more...] about 5 Types of Insurance Reviews
What Makes Documentation Wizard Forms Different? (From All Other Forms)
Remember being a teenager at a high school dance? You wanted to cut the rug, but you didn’t know how because you were never taught. If you intuitively knew how to “just dance,” you were golden. Otherwise, you may have either flailed around imitating your friends, or hid in the corner … [Read more...] about What Makes Documentation Wizard Forms Different? (From All Other Forms)
I’d Rather Clean the Toilet than Write Progress Notes: Making Peace With An Essential Task
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 of … [Read more...] about I’d Rather Clean the Toilet than Write Progress Notes: Making Peace With An Essential Task
“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 bathroomI 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 issueslose sleep … [Read more...] about “I Love Writing Psychotherapy Notes”
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.These are the "negative" or the cover-your-butt reasons to maintain good documentation.Remember -- IF IT'S NOT DOCUMENTED IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.On the positive side, writing … [Read more...] about I Don’t Take Insurance. Do I Still Need to Write Treatment Plans and Progress Notes?