Author: Dr. Salwa Zeineddine
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HIPAA Compliant Note-Taking App (2025)
Keep Your Patients’ Notes Private and Secure In the past, therapists had no choice but to keep their patients’ notes in an insecure way, either on paper or in a file on an office computer. But these days, that’s no longer necessary thanks to the increased use of HIPAA-compliant note-taking apps and software online and…
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Best AI SOAP Note Generator Free (2025)
Therapists often face the challenge of keeping up with detailed session notes while managing a full client load. Mentalyc’s AI SOAP Note Generator is designed to make this task easier by turning voice recordings or written summaries into clear, structured SOAP notes in minutes. It helps therapists save time, stay organized, and reduce the stress…
/
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DAP Note Generator (2025)
As the name implies, DAP stands for Data, Assessment, and Plan and is used by mental health professionals all over the world to document psychotherapy sessions. The DAP notes provide a standard way for psychotherapists and counselors to document their sessions, so they can always follow the D-A-P format when documenting them. The D-A-P note…
/
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ABA Session Notes Generator for RBT (2025)
ABA session notes are written records of a therapy session conducted using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques. These notes are typically written by the therapist, who may be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), and they serve as a record of the session for the therapist, the individual receiving…
/
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Group Therapy Notes (With Group Note Template for Therapists)
Working through your struggles with the support of people facing similar issues can be a real game-changer. The whole give-and-take of help can really bring out the best in us. After all, humans have been tackling life’s challenges together in squads since the dawn of walking on two legs. Penning progress notes in group therapy, however, is a…
/
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How to Write ABA Session Notes (Tips & Templates) For RBTs BCBA & BCaBA
Whether you’re an Registered Behavior Technician or any other kind of therapist, you’ve probably been jotting down notes ever since you started practicing. However, you may not have received proper guidance on how to efficiently craft them to provide maximum value to your client’s interdisciplinary team. Or, you might be an expert when it comes…
/
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Progress Notes in Mental Health (2025)
In Case You Are Wondering About “What Are Progress Notes in Mental Health and How to Write Them?”, This Blog Is for You! When interviewing new clients, most therapists insist on delving deep into the famous question: “What were the effects and upshots of previous counseling, if any?” This is one of the smartest ways…
/
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Socratic Questioning
Heads-up, What Are We Cooking in Today’s Blog? Imagine you’re sitting at a cozy café, sipping your favorite drink, and a friend starts telling you about this fascinating guy from ancient Greece: Socrates. Socrates was a bit of a mystery. He never wrote anything down, and yet, his ideas have traveled through time, thanks to his…
/
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Thinking Errors (Cognitive Distortions)
I felt like a complete failure as I walked off the stage, my face burning with humiliation… The big annual conference was supposed to be my chance to shine, but instead, I fumbled my way through the worst presentation of my career. As the next speaker was being introduced, I replayed the cringe-worthy moments in…
/
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What Is the Anger Iceberg?
Anger is generally a secondary reaction concealing deeper needs or fears. Just the other day, I met with a distraught teenage client struggling with overwhelming family conflict. To her, it seemed she could do nothing right in her parents' eyes. Every little mistake was met with rage and reprimand. As we spoke, it became clear the situation…
/
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Golden Thread Mental Heath Documentation (The Golden Thread Approach to Progress Notes)
Clinical documentation… Ugh! Just hearing those words makes me want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head. I often hear colleagues say, “I hate paperwork”. And honestly, who can blame them? The thought of sitting down to meticulously document every session can feel like a chore, especially after a long…
/
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Adult Attachment Scale (AAS)
We’ve all felt nervous meeting new people or putting ourselves out there socially. Making that first move to interact with others requires a degree of vulnerability that can stir up anxious feelings inside. This is normal human experience, at least for me! I recall how avoidance and distance were once my automatic reactions in relationships due to…
/
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Outcome Measures in Mental and Behavioral Health
Mental health outcome measures are valuable instruments used to assess the progress of individuals' mental well-being. These measures effectively capture a range of metrics, including various aspects of client functioning, symptomatology, and treatment experiences. Such assessments capture baseline data at the commencement of services, as well as progress documented as support continues. What Are We…
/
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 is a user-friendly, self-administered questionnaire for screening and measuring generalized anxiety disorder severity. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Questionnaire (GAD-7) The GAD-7 score is obtained by adding the scores for each of the 7 questions (total points) (range: 0-21) Scoring & Interpretation Now that you’ve completed the GAD-7 questionnaire, it’s important to understand…
/
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Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS)
We've all been there. Your heart starts racing as you think about having to give a presentation in front of the class. Or maybe the idea of making small talk at a party makes you break out in a cold sweat! Social anxiety is something most people can relate to on some level. But for…
/
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Mental Status Exam (MSE) Cheat Sheet & Checklist
As helping professionals, our primary aim is to gain a thorough understanding of those who seek our guidance. There exist various respectful avenues for cultivating knowledge about an individual’s experiences and circumstances, whether through brief check-ins or more extended discussions. Often, a carefully organized interview allows for in-depth learning about how someone functions and behaves…
/
-
Informed Consent in Counseling (Benefits, Tips & Examples)
Have you ever found yourself in a hospital awaiting surgery or sitting in a therapist’s office, only to be handed a consent form before your treatment commenced? In healthcare, it is commonplace for doctors and mental health professionals, including counselors and therapists, to ask clients to provide their informed consent. This crucial step ensures that individuals have been adequately…
/
-
Occupational Therapy Documentation – OT Notes (With Examples)
As occupational therapists and healthcare professionals, we know how important thorough documentationis. Not only does it protect us legally, but it allows us to monitor our clients’ progress over time and collaborate with other providers. Among the various notes we write, occupational notes seem to get the least love 🙁 They’re often an afterthought we scribble down between sessions rather than an opportunity to showcase…
/
-
SOAP Notes in Mental Health Counseling (With Examples)
Sometimes, one might have nightmares for no reason at all. At other times, your work might be spilling over into your dreams! You are astonished. Aren’t you? Let me explain: you are a mental health provider struggling with hundreds of patient cases. You scribble down unorganized therapy notes, and you end up crashing with therapeutic standards…
/
-
How to Write Therapy Notes (With Examples)
What Are Therapy Notes and How to Write Them? Your last session ran over time, you are making sure your patient is wearing the broadest smile, feeling supported, and having all his questions answered; tens of patients are still waiting for your consultation; you have a pile of client emails that need an answer, and…
/
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ICD-10 Code for Bipolar Disorder
Yes, That’s Me! In the wacky world of bipolar disorder, life’s a rollercoaster, and I’m the enthusiastic (and occasionally terrified) rider! One day, I’m soaring through the skies, convinced I can conquer the world with my brilliant ideas – I even tried to launch a business selling glow-in-the-dark socks for fish (don’t ask). But then, faster…
/
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Diagnostic Criteria for Autism: DSM-5
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism, often referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex developmental condition characterized by a diverse range of challenges related to communication, social interaction, and behavior. This condition is a lifelong companion, and its manifestation varies significantly from one individual to another. In this blog post, we will explore the world…
/
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ICD-10 Code for Alcohol Use Disorder
The modern way of life has thrown us all for a loop, and let's be real, it's even messed with our booze habits. I mean, who could blame us? With the whole world flipping upside down, the bottle has been there to lend a sympathetic ear. Picture this: You're stuck at home, your work schedule's…
/
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Find the Right ICD 10 Code for ADHD
The ADHD Journey Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurological condition that weaves its presence into countless lives, manifesting as behavioral challenges related to attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity, oftentimes casting shadows upon daily lives and personal growth. Also recognized as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), this condition can potentially lead to substantial adverse outcomes if left untreated. Understandably,…
/
-
HIPAA Compliant Note-Taking App (2025)
Keep Your Patients’ Notes Private and Secure In the past, therapists had no choice but to keep their patients’ notes in an insecure way, either on paper or in a file on an office computer. But these days, that’s no longer necessary thanks to the increased use of HIPAA-compliant note-taking apps and software online and…
/
-
Best AI SOAP Note Generator Free (2025)
Therapists often face the challenge of keeping up with detailed session notes while managing a full client load. Mentalyc’s AI SOAP Note Generator is designed to make this task easier by turning voice recordings or written summaries into clear, structured SOAP notes in minutes. It helps therapists save time, stay organized, and reduce the stress…
/
-
DAP Note Generator (2025)
As the name implies, DAP stands for Data, Assessment, and Plan and is used by mental health professionals all over the world to document psychotherapy sessions. The DAP notes provide a standard way for psychotherapists and counselors to document their sessions, so they can always follow the D-A-P format when documenting them. The D-A-P note…
/
-
ABA Session Notes Generator for RBT (2025)
ABA session notes are written records of a therapy session conducted using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques. These notes are typically written by the therapist, who may be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), and they serve as a record of the session for the therapist, the individual receiving…
/
-
Group Therapy Notes (With Group Note Template for Therapists)
Working through your struggles with the support of people facing similar issues can be a real game-changer. The whole give-and-take of help can really bring out the best in us. After all, humans have been tackling life’s challenges together in squads since the dawn of walking on two legs. Penning progress notes in group therapy, however, is a…
/
-
How to Write ABA Session Notes (Tips & Templates) For RBTs BCBA & BCaBA
Whether you’re an Registered Behavior Technician or any other kind of therapist, you’ve probably been jotting down notes ever since you started practicing. However, you may not have received proper guidance on how to efficiently craft them to provide maximum value to your client’s interdisciplinary team. Or, you might be an expert when it comes…
/
-
Progress Notes in Mental Health (2025)
In Case You Are Wondering About “What Are Progress Notes in Mental Health and How to Write Them?”, This Blog Is for You! When interviewing new clients, most therapists insist on delving deep into the famous question: “What were the effects and upshots of previous counseling, if any?” This is one of the smartest ways…
/
-
Socratic Questioning
Heads-up, What Are We Cooking in Today’s Blog? Imagine you’re sitting at a cozy café, sipping your favorite drink, and a friend starts telling you about this fascinating guy from ancient Greece: Socrates. Socrates was a bit of a mystery. He never wrote anything down, and yet, his ideas have traveled through time, thanks to his…
/
-
Thinking Errors (Cognitive Distortions)
I felt like a complete failure as I walked off the stage, my face burning with humiliation… The big annual conference was supposed to be my chance to shine, but instead, I fumbled my way through the worst presentation of my career. As the next speaker was being introduced, I replayed the cringe-worthy moments in…
/
-
What Is the Anger Iceberg?
Anger is generally a secondary reaction concealing deeper needs or fears. Just the other day, I met with a distraught teenage client struggling with overwhelming family conflict. To her, it seemed she could do nothing right in her parents' eyes. Every little mistake was met with rage and reprimand. As we spoke, it became clear the situation…
/
-
Golden Thread Mental Heath Documentation (The Golden Thread Approach to Progress Notes)
Clinical documentation… Ugh! Just hearing those words makes me want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head. I often hear colleagues say, “I hate paperwork”. And honestly, who can blame them? The thought of sitting down to meticulously document every session can feel like a chore, especially after a long…
/
-
Adult Attachment Scale (AAS)
We’ve all felt nervous meeting new people or putting ourselves out there socially. Making that first move to interact with others requires a degree of vulnerability that can stir up anxious feelings inside. This is normal human experience, at least for me! I recall how avoidance and distance were once my automatic reactions in relationships due to…
/
-
Outcome Measures in Mental and Behavioral Health
Mental health outcome measures are valuable instruments used to assess the progress of individuals' mental well-being. These measures effectively capture a range of metrics, including various aspects of client functioning, symptomatology, and treatment experiences. Such assessments capture baseline data at the commencement of services, as well as progress documented as support continues. What Are We…
/
-
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 is a user-friendly, self-administered questionnaire for screening and measuring generalized anxiety disorder severity. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Questionnaire (GAD-7) The GAD-7 score is obtained by adding the scores for each of the 7 questions (total points) (range: 0-21) Scoring & Interpretation Now that you’ve completed the GAD-7 questionnaire, it’s important to understand…
/
-
Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS)
We've all been there. Your heart starts racing as you think about having to give a presentation in front of the class. Or maybe the idea of making small talk at a party makes you break out in a cold sweat! Social anxiety is something most people can relate to on some level. But for…
/
-
Mental Status Exam (MSE) Cheat Sheet & Checklist
As helping professionals, our primary aim is to gain a thorough understanding of those who seek our guidance. There exist various respectful avenues for cultivating knowledge about an individual’s experiences and circumstances, whether through brief check-ins or more extended discussions. Often, a carefully organized interview allows for in-depth learning about how someone functions and behaves…
/
-
Informed Consent in Counseling (Benefits, Tips & Examples)
Have you ever found yourself in a hospital awaiting surgery or sitting in a therapist’s office, only to be handed a consent form before your treatment commenced? In healthcare, it is commonplace for doctors and mental health professionals, including counselors and therapists, to ask clients to provide their informed consent. This crucial step ensures that individuals have been adequately…
/
-
Occupational Therapy Documentation – OT Notes (With Examples)
As occupational therapists and healthcare professionals, we know how important thorough documentationis. Not only does it protect us legally, but it allows us to monitor our clients’ progress over time and collaborate with other providers. Among the various notes we write, occupational notes seem to get the least love 🙁 They’re often an afterthought we scribble down between sessions rather than an opportunity to showcase…
/
-
SOAP Notes in Mental Health Counseling (With Examples)
Sometimes, one might have nightmares for no reason at all. At other times, your work might be spilling over into your dreams! You are astonished. Aren’t you? Let me explain: you are a mental health provider struggling with hundreds of patient cases. You scribble down unorganized therapy notes, and you end up crashing with therapeutic standards…
/
-
How to Write Therapy Notes (With Examples)
What Are Therapy Notes and How to Write Them? Your last session ran over time, you are making sure your patient is wearing the broadest smile, feeling supported, and having all his questions answered; tens of patients are still waiting for your consultation; you have a pile of client emails that need an answer, and…
/
-
ICD-10 Code for Bipolar Disorder
Yes, That’s Me! In the wacky world of bipolar disorder, life’s a rollercoaster, and I’m the enthusiastic (and occasionally terrified) rider! One day, I’m soaring through the skies, convinced I can conquer the world with my brilliant ideas – I even tried to launch a business selling glow-in-the-dark socks for fish (don’t ask). But then, faster…
/
-
Diagnostic Criteria for Autism: DSM-5
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism, often referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex developmental condition characterized by a diverse range of challenges related to communication, social interaction, and behavior. This condition is a lifelong companion, and its manifestation varies significantly from one individual to another. In this blog post, we will explore the world…
/
-
ICD-10 Code for Alcohol Use Disorder
The modern way of life has thrown us all for a loop, and let's be real, it's even messed with our booze habits. I mean, who could blame us? With the whole world flipping upside down, the bottle has been there to lend a sympathetic ear. Picture this: You're stuck at home, your work schedule's…
/
-
Find the Right ICD 10 Code for ADHD
The ADHD Journey Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurological condition that weaves its presence into countless lives, manifesting as behavioral challenges related to attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity, oftentimes casting shadows upon daily lives and personal growth. Also recognized as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), this condition can potentially lead to substantial adverse outcomes if left untreated. Understandably,…
/