How do we help clients process traumatic events when we're struggling to process them ourselves? Another tragedy. Another polarizing event that sends shock waves through our communities and straight into our therapy offices. Whether it's a mass shooting, a terrorist attack, or political violence, … [Read more...] about When You’re Just as Triggered as Your Client: Staying Grounded in a Polarized World
Mental Health Documentation in an Uncertain World
Ethical Considerations for Psychotherapists In today’s rapidly shifting social and political landscape, therapists are navigating new challenges when it comes to documentation. Many clinicians find themselves balancing truthful and ethical documentation with the increased need to protect client … [Read more...] about Mental Health Documentation in an Uncertain World
What do Progress Notes and Dirty Dishes Have in Common?
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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...] about Client, Patient, or Name: Which to Use in Mental Health Documentation?
Mental Health Documentation and Selfcare
Why in the world would anybody put “selfcare” and “documentation” in the same sentence? Because when therapists start feeling overwhelmed and burnt out the very first thing that’s sacrificed are progress notes! Then the inner Critic berates you by saying, “you’re a bad therapist because you’re … [Read more...] about Mental Health Documentation and Selfcare
Challenges with AI in Progress Notes
Insights into using AI from a Mental Health Therapist and Documentation Expert In 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
Timely Progress Note Completion in Mental Health Documentation
The most frequently asked question I get in my documentation course is, “What is the deadline for progress note completion? This is a frustrating question because like so many aspects of mental health, there is no definitive answer. Understanding the Confusion Our professional codes of … [Read more...] about Timely Progress Note Completion in Mental Health Documentation
Can You Use AI for Mental Health Progress Notes?
Can You Use AI for Mental Health Progress Notes? Although AI has been around for quite a few years, it recently burst onto the scene like fireworks and is causing a lot of noise. Some psychotherapists are already raving about how it cuts down on the time it takes to write their notes and … [Read more...] about Can You Use AI for Mental Health Progress Notes?
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, … [Read more...] about Should I Document Medications on Progress Notes?
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 … [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 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 in … [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. 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, … [Read more...] about I Don’t Take Insurance. Do I Still Need to Write Treatment Plans and Progress Notes?