Category: Session Documentation

  • Client vs Patient (Do therapists have patients or clients?)

    Client vs Patient (Do therapists have patients or clients?)

    You have patients, right? Or do you have clients? As a therapist, the words you choose hold immense power. They shape the nature of your relationships with those you serve. Whether you use the term “clients” or “patients,” each carries its own weight. This weight can influence the dynamics of your interactions and the effectiveness […]

    Reading Time: 8 min.

    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • Top Billed Mental Health CPT Codes in 2024

    Top Billed Mental Health CPT Codes in 2024

    Figuring out the complexities of mental health billing requires a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the most current CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes. These codes are important for therapists and mental health professionals to accurately bill for their services, ensuring they are compensated appropriately while maintaining compliance with insurance requirements. In this blog we will […]

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    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • What is Assessment in Soap Note (How to Write it)?

    What is Assessment in Soap Note (How to Write it)?

    SOAP note is a standardized method mental health professionals use to document and organize information gathered during client sessions. SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, which are the components of this documentation method. Writing practical SOAP notes is a fundamental skill for psychotherapists. It provides a structured way to document therapy sessions. This […]

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    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • CMS Psychotherapy Documentation Requirements

    CMS Psychotherapy Documentation Requirements

    As a mental health pro, your main focus is to help people rather than being overwhelmed by paperwork. However, there are times when it is crucial to focus on paperwork, especially when it comes to meeting the requirements set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for documenting psychotherapy sessions. Maintaining proper documentation ensures compliance, […]

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    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • How to Write the Objective in SOAP Notes?

    How to Write the Objective in SOAP Notes?

    SOAP notes are a widely adopted method of progress note documentation used by mental health professionals to write down and organize information clearly, concisely, and systematically. The SOAP method offers a structured framework to document therapy sessions, track client progress, and support clinical decision-making. This method fosters a holistic view of the client while focusing on specific […]

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    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • Pediatric SOAP Notes (With Examples and Template)

    Pediatric SOAP Notes (With Examples and Template)

    You won’t believe the transformation your SOAP notes will undergo when you start working with kids! It’s time to take your pediatric SOAP notes to the next level. Get ready to learn how to make your notes to fit the needs of your little clients, including what to include, examples, templates, and expert tips. We’ll […]

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    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • Autonotes Vs Mentalyc: A Detailed Review and Comparison

    Autonotes Vs Mentalyc: A Detailed Review and Comparison

    Mental health professionals face relentless administrative burdens. Documentation shouldn’t be one of them. This article compares Mentalyc and Autonotes, two prominent AI-powered documentation solutions, to help you choose the platform that best elevates your practice. While Autonotes offers a basic option, Mentalyc goes beyond, empowering you to deliver exceptional care with greater efficiency and accuracy. […]

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    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist Avatar
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist
  • Improving Note-Taking for Neurodivergent Mental Health Professionals

    Improving Note-Taking for Neurodivergent Mental Health Professionals

    Note-taking can be a tedious process for many mental health professionals. It can be time-consuming and knowing what information goes into your notes to protect against insurance audits and prove medical necessity can be overwhelming. If you’re writing progress notes, the challenges, and limitations associated with neurodiversity can make documenting therapy intakes and psychotherapy sessions difficult. Holding attention and space […]

    Reading Time: 8 min.

    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC Avatar
    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC
  • ADHD and Progress Notes: Strategies and Tools for Therapists

    ADHD and Progress Notes: Strategies and Tools for Therapists

    Imagine you’ve had a long day, and your practice is full. You have a day’s worth of progress notes to write but do not know where to start. Maybe you’re struggling to remember what happened in your first session this morning or have fallen behind and feel overwhelmed. You may do something else entirely because […]

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    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC Avatar
    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC
  • How to Write a Biopsychosocial Assessment (With Template) – Mentalyc

    How to Write a Biopsychosocial Assessment (With Template) – Mentalyc

    Have you ever stared at a blank screen, wondering how to even begin a new client’s biopsychosocial (BPS) assessment? You’re not alone. Many therapists across the U.S. say that this report is the single most overwhelming piece of clinical documentation. Unlike progress notes such as GIRP or SOAP notes, which are brief and tied to […]

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    Ann Dypiangco, LCSW Avatar
    Ann Dypiangco, LCSW
  • 15 BEST Mental health Progress Note Templates & Examples

    15 BEST Mental health Progress Note Templates & Examples

    How many times have you stared at your notes thinking, ‘What exactly do I need to include so this is compliant and makes sense later? You may wonder what a progress note should include or what mental health progress note templates to use. When you are writing therapy progress notes, there isn’t one template that […]

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    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC Avatar
    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC
  • What are DAP Notes & How to Write them?

    What are DAP Notes & How to Write them?

    How to Write DAP Notes There are a variety of methods therapists can use to write progress notes. With various ways to document client sessions, mental health professionals may have difficulty choosing which documentation format to use. DAP notes have three clearly defined sections, which help therapists cover the necessary information in their therapy progress […]

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    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC Avatar
    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC
  • Psychiatry CPT Codes – A Complete Guide (+Cheat Sheet)

    Psychiatry CPT Codes – A Complete Guide (+Cheat Sheet)

    Are you tired of feeling intimidated by the maze of complex CPT codes associated with psychiatry? Don't worry, you're not alone! Understanding psychiatry and CPT codes can be demanding. However, with our exclusive cheat sheet, you'll have everything you need to confidently navigate psychiatry's most common behavioral health codes, from diagnostic and evaluation codes to […]

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    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • CPT Code 90846: Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2024)

    CPT Code 90846: Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2024)

    Description Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Code 90846 is used within mental and behavioral health services to denote a specific type of therapeutic interaction. This code is important in the coding and billing process as it helps categorize mental health professionals' services. CPT code 90846 is used for 50-minute face-to-face or telehealth family psychotherapy sessions when […]

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    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • 90838 CPT Code (description, code time, reimbursement, modifier, documentation requirements, frequency)

    90838 CPT Code (description, code time, reimbursement, modifier, documentation requirements, frequency)

    CPT Code 90838 Description CPT Code 90838 refers to individual psychotherapy sessions that last 60 minutes, with the patient physically present for the session. This code is essential to the billing and documentation process for mental health professionals, including psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and counselors – any mental health professional providing and paying […]

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    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • 90847 CPT Code: Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2024)

    90847 CPT Code: Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2024)

    You’ve probably heard about CPT codes, but how familiar are you with the nitty-gritty details? If you’re a mental health professional interested in couples and family therapy, it’s time to get up close and personal with CPT code 90847. When used correctly, this code is the key to unlocking insurance reimbursement for couples and family […]

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    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • CPT Code 90832: Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2024)

    CPT Code 90832: Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2024)

    CPT Code 90832 Description CPT code 90832 is a code used in the mental and behavioral health field, and it reflects the provision of an individual 30-minute psychotherapy session with the patient physically present. This code is part of a broader set of CPT codes designed to categorize and standardize mental health treatments for billing […]

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    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • 99404 CPT Code (description, code time, reimbursement, modifier, documentation requirements, frequency)

    99404 CPT Code (description, code time, reimbursement, modifier, documentation requirements, frequency)

    First let's see What is a CPT Code? A CPT code, or Current Procedural Terminology code, is a medical code used to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services and procedures. CPT codes are part of a coding system created by the American Medical Association (AMA). These codes, used by healthcare providers, insurance companies, and accreditation […]

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    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • DSM 5 Cheat Sheet

    DSM 5 Cheat Sheet

    You may feel confident in your counseling skills, but it is still challenging to remember all the details of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5th Edition (DSM-5). The DSM-5-TR diagnostic codes for different disorders and their symptoms can be overwhelming, especially for those new to the field who need to keep up with code changes—introducing the ultimate pocket […]

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    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • Mental Status Exam (MSE) Cheat Sheet & Checklist

    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 […]

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    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine Avatar
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine
  • Collaborative/Concurrent Documentation (With Examples)

    Collaborative/Concurrent Documentation (With Examples)

    Are you ready to shake things up and transform the mental health field? Imagine a world where mental health practitioners collaborate seamlessly to provide tailored, comprehensive care for each client. With collaborative documentation, this vision is within reach. By pooling your expertise with other professionals, you can unlock invaluable insights and develop innovative treatment plans that genuinely […]

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    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • 90853 CPT Code: Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2025)

    90853 CPT Code: Complete Description (+Reimbursement Details 2025)

    CPT codes are numbers used to reimburse specific mental health services. CPT codes are essential for billing, ensuring the accuracy of services reported, and receiving reimbursement from third-party payors. Billing the correct CPT code is necessary for a mental health clinician. CPT codes help ensure accurate documentation of the services you provide. Psychotherapists must know […]

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    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC Avatar
    Marissa Moore, LPC, LCPC
  • How to Properly Identify and Document Impairment in Mental Health?

    How to Properly Identify and Document Impairment in Mental Health?

    As a mental health professional, providing accurate and detailed documentation of a client’s case history and present symptoms is crucial. By thoroughly and ethically reporting on impairments in functioning, you ensure your clients get the coverage and care they need. But how do you accurately and ethically record the client’s impairments to make a case […]

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    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • How to Take Effective Psychology Notes: Importance, Techniques & Best Practices

    How to Take Effective Psychology Notes: Importance, Techniques & Best Practices

    A sometimes-overlooked skill, note-taking can significantly impact the quality of mental health professionals’ work. Effective notetaking helps psychologists: This article explores several techniques and best practices for note-taking that are tailored to the specific needs of psychologists. The Importance of Note-taking for Psychologists Psychologists manage vast amounts of information that includes data obtained through clinical […]

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    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist