Author: Courtney Gardner, MSW
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Risk Assessment in Mental Health: A Complete Guide for Professionals
Mental health risk assessment is the systematic evaluation of whether someone might harm themselves or others, and yet it’s the most critical skill you’ll never feel fully prepared for. Despite being fundamental to treatment planning and legal documentation, most clinicians still get a pit-in-the-stomach feeling when a session takes a turn toward safety concerns. It’s…
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Motivational Interviewing: How to use it in Therapy
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is fundamentally about working alongside clients as they dig into their own reasons for wanting change instead of telling them what they should do. We’ve all experienced those sessions where this becomes invaluable. Picture yourself sitting across from a client who expresses wanting something to change, yet somehow, every week feels like…
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Understanding Basics of Billing in Group Therapy (Everything You Need to Know)
Billing in group therapy involves understanding specific CPT codes, insurance requirements, and reimbursement structures unique to group treatment modalities. Picture this: You have just finished leading your first therapy group. Eight participants had significant engagement, and everyone left feeling hopeful. You’re riding high on that “this is why I became a therapist” feeling until you…
/
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CPT Code 90849: Multiple-family Group Psychotherapy
The CPT Code 90849 is for multiple-family group psychotherapy, a form of treatment that brings families together to heal. Participants share the therapy space, share their own experiences, support one another, and use this group dynamic to encourage them to grow in one another’s company. This guide breaks CPT Code 90849 down into uncomplicated, practical…
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Deciding Which Progress Note Format Type is Right for you
The right progress note format simplifies documentation, sharpens your clinical observations, improves continuity of care, and makes reimbursement easier. As a therapist, you likely did not choose this profession to spend all your evenings buried under paperwork, but there is no doubt that progress notes are part of the deal. So, how do you find…
/
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What is Exposure Hierarchy?
Exposure hierarchy, a structured, step-by-step plan that helps clients gradually face their fears, is far more than just a standard CBT tool, it can be a lifeline for those overwhelmed by anxiety. Imagine working with someone who struggles to leave their home, paralyzed by the weight of their fears. In these moments, a well-designed exposure…
/
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HIPAA Compliant Online Forms
Using HIPAA compliant online forms is a critical but often overlooked part of maintaining a secure and ethical therapy practice. With the constant demands of client care and administrative work, it is tempting to rely on convenient tools like Google Forms. While these platforms are free and easy to use, they often fall short of…
/
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A Therapist’s Guide to the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale – Revised
The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale (RAADS-R) is a clinician-administered self-report tool designed to identify autism-related traits in adults—particularly those whose presentations may not have raised diagnostic flags in childhood. It assesses four domains: language, social communication, sensory-motor symptoms, and focused interests. While the RAADS-R is not a diagnostic tool, it provides useful clinical information. It is…
/
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Interactive Complexity CPT Code 90785
CPT 90785 is an add-on code, which means it must be billed in addition to another primary service—individual or family therapy. This code applies to therapy sessions involving “interactive complexity.” In simpler terms, interactive complexity describes communication challenges or other factors that make a therapy session more difficult than usual. Have you ever had a session where everything…
/
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15 SOAP Note Examples and Templates (2025)
As a mental health professional, do you struggle to keep track of your client’s treatment progress? Do you have difficulty remembering the details of your last session when a client asks about their progress? Look no further than SOAP notes! They are the perfect solution to your documentation woes. SOAP notes provide a quick and…
/
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Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC) for Children
Psychological trauma in children doesn’t always show up in the ways we would expect. Sometimes, children may have typical responses, like nightmares, panic attacks, or mood swings. Other times, they appear to be just fine, but a noticeable shift follows. They start isolating themselves from their friends; their academic performance declines, and the little things that used to be shrugged off quickly…
/
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Treatment Plan for Gender Dysphoria (A Complete Guide)
The American Psychological Association defines Gender Dysphoria as severe distress that occurs when an individual’s gender identity is not the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Dysphoria can cause a substantial effect on transgender and non-binary people’s mental and social well-being, which is why it is so crucial for mental health treatment professionals to create customized, comprehensive treatment plans aimed at addressing each client’s individual needs. Whether you have been working with gender-diverse clients throughout your career or are new to this practice,…
/
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Recognizing and Managing Manipulative Clients in Counseling
At some point or another, therapists learn how difficult it can be to work with manipulative clients who test limits, distort language, and use guilt as a weapon. When this happens, therapists must gracefully walk the thin line between engaging with clients through empathic listening while resisting their client’s attempts at control and manipulation. This article will delve into how to effectively work with clients with manipulative tendencies, why these behaviors occur…
/
-
How to Empower and Motivate Clients in Therapy?
Have you ever felt frustrated when your clients hit a plateau, and it feels like their healing has stalled? As dedicated mental health professionals, we are no stranger to this challenge. But what if the key to breaking through those barriers wasn't to find the perfect answers but to empower your clients and boost their motivation? Imagine a practice where your clients are fully committed and inspired, owning…
/
-
CPT Code 90875
Incorrect Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code usage and documentation errors cost mental health care providers thousands of dollars annually. One of the most complex codes to bill correctly is CPT code 90875. This is specifically for psychophysiological therapy with biofeedback. Learning the correct protocols for this code can revolutionize your practice, improve your reimbursement rates, and deliver the best possible care for your clients. Understanding CPT Code 90875: Description and Core Components CPT Code 90875 falls under "Other Psychiatric Services." This code represents…
/
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Trauma Narrative in Therapy and Examples
As mental health professionals, we understand the significant impact of trauma on individuals. Trauma narrative therapy is a valuable tool for helping clients process and find meaning in their traumatic experiences. In this piece, we will discuss the fundamental principles of trauma narrative therapy and its integration with other therapeutic approaches, such as CBT and…
/
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Why is it Important to Individualize an Integrative Treatment Plan?
Do you often encounter clients who are dissatisfied with generic mental health treatments that fail to address their unique needs? Many individuals seeking mental health care feel disheartened by one-size-fits-all approaches that overlook their personal experiences and challenges. This frustration can lead to disengagement and ineffective treatment outcomes. But there’s a solution: individualized integrative treatment plans.…
/
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How to Find Client Strengths In Therapy (with Examples)?
Do you ever feel stuck in a pattern with your clients, constantly feeling like you are concentrating on what's wrong instead of right? This is a common challenge in therapy, but there's a powerful alternative! Transform your therapeutic approach and outcomes by shifting your focus to client strengths. This article will discuss effectively identifying and…
/
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Drug Abuse Treatment Plan (with Examples)
In this blog, we’re delving into the intricacies of crafting treatment plans for drug abuse. You’ll discover why they’re indispensable, what elements they comprise, and how to implement them effectively. We’re providing real-world examples, practical advice, and insider insights. Are you ready to enhance your skills and make a tangible impact? Let’s get started! What…
/
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Therapy Termination: All You Need to Know
Have you ever thought about the importance of saying goodbye at the end of therapy? Imagine that critical moment when you're ending a session with a client who has become essential to your professional life. Rather than simply feeling bittersweet, what if you saw goodbye as a crucial transition for both of you? In this…
/
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Neuropsychological Testing & Assessment
Have you ever stopped to ponder how your remarkable brain works? Neuropsychological testing can provide fascinating insights into your cognitive abilities, like memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Imagine it as a thorough checkup for your brain, empowering you with a deeper understanding of your cognitive strengths and areas for improvement. It's beneficial for anyone, whether…
/
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How To Set Private Practice Fees?
Feeling overwhelmed about setting your fees? Whether you're an experienced therapist or just starting, determining your pricing can be challenging and may require more than just business insight. This article explores everything you need to know about setting the correct fees for your therapy sessions. From navigating insurance complexities to mastering value-based pricing, we'll guide…
/
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CPT Code 96127 Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2025)
Feeling overwhelmed by the sea of CPT codes? Get ready to explore one of the most crucial ones: CPT Code 96127. Whether you're an experienced therapist or a newly minted counselor, understanding this code is essential for your practice. It's all about those rapid emotional and behavioral assessments that can genuinely make a difference for…
/
-
Simplepractice Vs. Practice Better (A Detailed Comparison)
Starting your own practice is a significant and exciting milestone. However, it comes with its share of challenges, especially when choosing the right practice management software. With options like Practice Better and SimplePractice, deciding which will best meet your needs can be tough. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll dive…
/
-
Risk Assessment in Mental Health: A Complete Guide for Professionals
Mental health risk assessment is the systematic evaluation of whether someone might harm themselves or others, and yet it’s the most critical skill you’ll never feel fully prepared for. Despite being fundamental to treatment planning and legal documentation, most clinicians still get a pit-in-the-stomach feeling when a session takes a turn toward safety concerns. It’s…
/
-
Motivational Interviewing: How to use it in Therapy
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is fundamentally about working alongside clients as they dig into their own reasons for wanting change instead of telling them what they should do. We’ve all experienced those sessions where this becomes invaluable. Picture yourself sitting across from a client who expresses wanting something to change, yet somehow, every week feels like…
/
-
Understanding Basics of Billing in Group Therapy (Everything You Need to Know)
Billing in group therapy involves understanding specific CPT codes, insurance requirements, and reimbursement structures unique to group treatment modalities. Picture this: You have just finished leading your first therapy group. Eight participants had significant engagement, and everyone left feeling hopeful. You’re riding high on that “this is why I became a therapist” feeling until you…
/
-
CPT Code 90849: Multiple-family Group Psychotherapy
The CPT Code 90849 is for multiple-family group psychotherapy, a form of treatment that brings families together to heal. Participants share the therapy space, share their own experiences, support one another, and use this group dynamic to encourage them to grow in one another’s company. This guide breaks CPT Code 90849 down into uncomplicated, practical…
/
-
Deciding Which Progress Note Format Type is Right for you
The right progress note format simplifies documentation, sharpens your clinical observations, improves continuity of care, and makes reimbursement easier. As a therapist, you likely did not choose this profession to spend all your evenings buried under paperwork, but there is no doubt that progress notes are part of the deal. So, how do you find…
/
-
What is Exposure Hierarchy?
Exposure hierarchy, a structured, step-by-step plan that helps clients gradually face their fears, is far more than just a standard CBT tool, it can be a lifeline for those overwhelmed by anxiety. Imagine working with someone who struggles to leave their home, paralyzed by the weight of their fears. In these moments, a well-designed exposure…
/
-
HIPAA Compliant Online Forms
Using HIPAA compliant online forms is a critical but often overlooked part of maintaining a secure and ethical therapy practice. With the constant demands of client care and administrative work, it is tempting to rely on convenient tools like Google Forms. While these platforms are free and easy to use, they often fall short of…
/
-
A Therapist’s Guide to the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale – Revised
The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale (RAADS-R) is a clinician-administered self-report tool designed to identify autism-related traits in adults—particularly those whose presentations may not have raised diagnostic flags in childhood. It assesses four domains: language, social communication, sensory-motor symptoms, and focused interests. While the RAADS-R is not a diagnostic tool, it provides useful clinical information. It is…
/
-
Interactive Complexity CPT Code 90785
CPT 90785 is an add-on code, which means it must be billed in addition to another primary service—individual or family therapy. This code applies to therapy sessions involving “interactive complexity.” In simpler terms, interactive complexity describes communication challenges or other factors that make a therapy session more difficult than usual. Have you ever had a session where everything…
/
-
15 SOAP Note Examples and Templates (2025)
As a mental health professional, do you struggle to keep track of your client’s treatment progress? Do you have difficulty remembering the details of your last session when a client asks about their progress? Look no further than SOAP notes! They are the perfect solution to your documentation woes. SOAP notes provide a quick and…
/
-
Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC) for Children
Psychological trauma in children doesn’t always show up in the ways we would expect. Sometimes, children may have typical responses, like nightmares, panic attacks, or mood swings. Other times, they appear to be just fine, but a noticeable shift follows. They start isolating themselves from their friends; their academic performance declines, and the little things that used to be shrugged off quickly…
/
-
Treatment Plan for Gender Dysphoria (A Complete Guide)
The American Psychological Association defines Gender Dysphoria as severe distress that occurs when an individual’s gender identity is not the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Dysphoria can cause a substantial effect on transgender and non-binary people’s mental and social well-being, which is why it is so crucial for mental health treatment professionals to create customized, comprehensive treatment plans aimed at addressing each client’s individual needs. Whether you have been working with gender-diverse clients throughout your career or are new to this practice,…
/
-
Recognizing and Managing Manipulative Clients in Counseling
At some point or another, therapists learn how difficult it can be to work with manipulative clients who test limits, distort language, and use guilt as a weapon. When this happens, therapists must gracefully walk the thin line between engaging with clients through empathic listening while resisting their client’s attempts at control and manipulation. This article will delve into how to effectively work with clients with manipulative tendencies, why these behaviors occur…
/
-
How to Empower and Motivate Clients in Therapy?
Have you ever felt frustrated when your clients hit a plateau, and it feels like their healing has stalled? As dedicated mental health professionals, we are no stranger to this challenge. But what if the key to breaking through those barriers wasn't to find the perfect answers but to empower your clients and boost their motivation? Imagine a practice where your clients are fully committed and inspired, owning…
/
-
CPT Code 90875
Incorrect Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code usage and documentation errors cost mental health care providers thousands of dollars annually. One of the most complex codes to bill correctly is CPT code 90875. This is specifically for psychophysiological therapy with biofeedback. Learning the correct protocols for this code can revolutionize your practice, improve your reimbursement rates, and deliver the best possible care for your clients. Understanding CPT Code 90875: Description and Core Components CPT Code 90875 falls under "Other Psychiatric Services." This code represents…
/
-
Trauma Narrative in Therapy and Examples
As mental health professionals, we understand the significant impact of trauma on individuals. Trauma narrative therapy is a valuable tool for helping clients process and find meaning in their traumatic experiences. In this piece, we will discuss the fundamental principles of trauma narrative therapy and its integration with other therapeutic approaches, such as CBT and…
/
-
Why is it Important to Individualize an Integrative Treatment Plan?
Do you often encounter clients who are dissatisfied with generic mental health treatments that fail to address their unique needs? Many individuals seeking mental health care feel disheartened by one-size-fits-all approaches that overlook their personal experiences and challenges. This frustration can lead to disengagement and ineffective treatment outcomes. But there’s a solution: individualized integrative treatment plans.…
/
-
How to Find Client Strengths In Therapy (with Examples)?
Do you ever feel stuck in a pattern with your clients, constantly feeling like you are concentrating on what's wrong instead of right? This is a common challenge in therapy, but there's a powerful alternative! Transform your therapeutic approach and outcomes by shifting your focus to client strengths. This article will discuss effectively identifying and…
/
-
Drug Abuse Treatment Plan (with Examples)
In this blog, we’re delving into the intricacies of crafting treatment plans for drug abuse. You’ll discover why they’re indispensable, what elements they comprise, and how to implement them effectively. We’re providing real-world examples, practical advice, and insider insights. Are you ready to enhance your skills and make a tangible impact? Let’s get started! What…
/
-
Therapy Termination: All You Need to Know
Have you ever thought about the importance of saying goodbye at the end of therapy? Imagine that critical moment when you're ending a session with a client who has become essential to your professional life. Rather than simply feeling bittersweet, what if you saw goodbye as a crucial transition for both of you? In this…
/
-
Neuropsychological Testing & Assessment
Have you ever stopped to ponder how your remarkable brain works? Neuropsychological testing can provide fascinating insights into your cognitive abilities, like memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Imagine it as a thorough checkup for your brain, empowering you with a deeper understanding of your cognitive strengths and areas for improvement. It's beneficial for anyone, whether…
/
-
How To Set Private Practice Fees?
Feeling overwhelmed about setting your fees? Whether you're an experienced therapist or just starting, determining your pricing can be challenging and may require more than just business insight. This article explores everything you need to know about setting the correct fees for your therapy sessions. From navigating insurance complexities to mastering value-based pricing, we'll guide…
/
-
CPT Code 96127 Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2025)
Feeling overwhelmed by the sea of CPT codes? Get ready to explore one of the most crucial ones: CPT Code 96127. Whether you're an experienced therapist or a newly minted counselor, understanding this code is essential for your practice. It's all about those rapid emotional and behavioral assessments that can genuinely make a difference for…
/
-
Simplepractice Vs. Practice Better (A Detailed Comparison)
Starting your own practice is a significant and exciting milestone. However, it comes with its share of challenges, especially when choosing the right practice management software. With options like Practice Better and SimplePractice, deciding which will best meet your needs can be tough. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll dive…
/