The ABCs of Documentation for School Counselors: Notes, Forms, Templates, and More Welcome to school counseling, where dedicated professionals tirelessly support and guide students on their educational journey. As a school counselor, your role is vital in helping students cope with challenges, develop essential life skills, and navigate through the ups and downs of adolescence. […]
SimplePractice and TherapyNotes are two popular electronic health records (EHR) and practice management platforms that offer several great features for mental health professionals. TherapyNotes delivers simple efficiency, while SimplePractice offers a wealth of premium options. This article explores how each platform differs in features, cost, and value. How User-Friendly are the Platforms? TherapyNotes is known for its user-friendly […]
Attention all mental health professionals! Are you tired of flipping through countless pages and scrolling endlessly through online databases to find the perfect ICD-10 code for your mental health diagnosis? Well, look no further! This comprehensive guide has everything you need to revolutionize how you navigate the world of mental health coding. Whether you're a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Receiving a subpoena is not something many mental health clinicians like to deal with. You may feel overwhelmed and scared if you’ve received a subpoena to release information about a client. Many clinicians have questions about what is and isn’t required of you. Subpoenas are tricky to deal with because psychotherapy notes aren’t a part of the […]
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 […]
A significant shift in the field of psychotherapy was the transition from traditional in-person group therapy sessions to online group therapy. Accelerated (and in many cases, required) by the COVID-19 pandemic, online group therapy expanded opportunities for therapists to provide support and treatment to a much larger audience. This article explores how psychotherapists can effectively […]
Accurate coding is critical for proper billing, record-keeping, and statistical analysis. It is the linchpin that connects various aspects of client care, administrative processes, and research data and analyses. Accurate and appropriate coding is even more critical in the field of mental health, where understanding the client's condition through precise codes is essential for proper […]
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has a long history of revisions and is essential to a mental health professional’s work. If you’re a mental health provider, you most likely work from the DSM-5, one of the more recent manual versions. The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) is […]
Are you a mental health professional looking to enhance your skills and dive deeper into the world of psychosocial assessments? Look no further! Our exciting guide will take you on a journey to mastering this critical aspect of mental health care. From the differences between psychosocial and biopsychosocial assessments to insights from nursing and social […]
As mental health professionals, we understand that accurate diagnosis coding is crucial for your practice. With 2024 fast approaching, we know that keeping up with the latest updates to the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes while managing your cases can be overwhelming and stressful. We're here to support you in providing the best care […]
If you have recently joined the mental health profession or are seeking an update on a familiar system, you are embarking on a fulfilling and rewarding career path. As you progress, you will realize the significance of staying up-to-date with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) 2023 coding system. This system is crucial […]
As a mental health practitioner, we understand that providing the best possible care for your clients is your top priority. We also recognize that to achieve this, it's essential to continuously improve your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest best practices. Don't settle for mediocrity – seek ongoing supervision to take your skills to […]
The Ultimate Guide to Case Conceptualization: Our Top Tips, Outlines, and Real-life Examples As a mental health counselor, case conceptualization is one of the most essential skills you can develop to understand your clients and find the most effective treatment. But for new counselors, the process can be overwhelming. How do you synthesize all the […]
As a mental health professional, the intake assessment is one of the most crucial moments in your work with new clients. During this initial meeting, you can establish trust and rapport, gather information about your client's situation, and set the right tone for your work together. With a well-structured mental health intake assessment, you can […]
Do you need help to keep up with creating practical treatment summaries for your clients? We know it’s tough to balance everything while providing exceptional care. But what if we told you you can learn to write stunning summaries quickly? Yes, you heard it right! Our ultimate guide is here to take you on a journey of […]
IGBIRP Introduction Within the mental health field, effective documentation and structured treatment planning are essential elements of providing quality care to clients. The IGBIRP Progress Notes Method offers mental health professionals a systematic framework for organizing, documenting, and evaluating client progress. This method assures comprehensive assessment, individualized treatment planning, and ongoing monitoring to support clients in achieving their therapeutic […]
Introduction "Altered Mental State, Unspecified" is a term used to describe a change in a person's mental function or consciousness that is not specifically identified or diagnosed. This diagnosis indicates there is a noticeable difference or disturbance in typical mental clarity, perception, awareness, cognition, or responsiveness, but the exact cause or specific nature of the […]
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 […]
As mental health professionals, we all know how crucial it is to communicate our client's condition effectively. But let's face it; it can be challenging to share all the necessary information without sounding like a broken record or missing out on essential details. Thankfully, a fantastic communication tool called SBAR can help us out. The […]
What's a panic disorder? Panic disorder is a psychiatric condition that affects approximately 4.7% of U.S. adults at some point in their lifetimes (NIMH, 2023). Panic disorder often starts in the teens or early adulthood, and it is twice as common in women than in men (NIMH, 2023). This condition is characterized by unexpected and […]
Do you feel overwhelmed by how many progress notes you have to write as a mental health professional? Although essential for quality care, they can be tedious and time-consuming. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We want to introduce you to the FIRP method – an incredibly effective and efficient way to take notes. […]
