Mentalyc Blog

  • Using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) in Therapy or Treatment Planning

    Using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) in Therapy or Treatment Planning

    The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) is an 18-item checklist made by the World Health Organization (WHO) along with ADHD experts, psychiatrists, and researchers to check for ADHD symptoms in adults, since ADHD looks different in adults than in kids. The questions follow DSM-IV criteria but use adult-focused language that shows how symptoms might pop […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • 15 Tips for Effective Couple Therapy Sessions

    15 Tips for Effective Couple Therapy Sessions

    Couple therapy sessions are different compared to individual therapy sessions. Therapists have to handle the complex back-and-forth between partners while staying neutral and making sure everyone feels safe enough to be vulnerable. New therapists often find nothing in grad school that prepares them for how intense these sessions can get or how complicated the patterns […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • How can Therapists Reduce Paperwork Burnout when Writing Progress Notes

    How can Therapists Reduce Paperwork Burnout when Writing Progress Notes

    Paperwork burnout happens when therapists engage in client documentation to the point of emotional and physical exhaustion. Mental health professionals often face this when writing progress notes. High caseloads and administrative tasks can make it worse. This creates a cycle of stress and burnout that hurts therapists. This stress affects therapists and the care they […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • A Therapist’s Guide to the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale – Revised

    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 […]
    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • A Therapist’s Guide to the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)

    A Therapist’s Guide to the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)

    The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a psychological instrument to assess the degree to which individuals perceive situations in their lives as stressful. Rather than focusing on specific life events or objective stressors, the PSS measures a person’s subjective experience of stress. This makes it especially useful in therapeutic settings where a client’s emotional interpretation […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • A Therapist’s Guide to the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES)

    A Therapist’s Guide to the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES)

    The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is one of the most widely used and trusted tools for measuring self-esteem. For therapists, it serves not only as a diagnostic aid but also as a springboard for deeper conversations and goal setting within the therapeutic process. Self-esteem is a foundational element of emotional well-being and psychological resilience. It […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • A Therapist’s Guide to the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale

    A Therapist’s Guide to the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale

    The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is a standardized, evidence-based assessment tool developed to help clinicians identify the severity and immediacy of suicidal ideation and behaviors in clients. Originally developed through a collaboration between Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh, it has since become one of the most widely […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • Best Note-Taking App for Therapists (2025)

    Best Note-Taking App for Therapists (2025)

    One of the most critical parts of being a therapist is taking and documenting good notes on your clients. The note-taking process in therapy sessions can be a very complicated task. Fortunately, there are several note-taking apps and software available online that will help you to take great notes while at the same time keeping […]
    Maria Szandrach, CEO of Mentalyc Avatar
    Maria Szandrach, CEO of Mentalyc
  • ABA Session Notes Generator for RBT (2025)

    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 […]
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine Avatar
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine
  • Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)

    Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)

    The assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder needs good tools that help diagnose correctly and plan treatment. Without a comprehensive assessment, clinicians might miss PTSD symptoms or mix them up with other problems. Among these tools, the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale stands out as the gold standard for mental health workers. It gives a structured but […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • Interactive Complexity CPT Code 90785

    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 […]
    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • What is Strength-Based Therapy?

    What is Strength-Based Therapy?

    Strength-based therapy is a client-focused model that aims to identify and build on an individual’s strengths, capacities, and resources to foster personal growth and resilience. In contrast to more conventional problem-centered models of therapy, which seek to identify and repair deficits, the strength-based model invites clients to identify their current strengths and use them as […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

    Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

    The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a widely used behavioral screening tool that helps identify emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. It was developed by British child psychiatrist Dr. Robert Goodman to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of a young person’s mental health. It captures both strengths and challenges across multiple […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • A Therapist’s Guide to the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)

    A Therapist’s Guide to the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)

    The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) helps clinicians measure the severity of an individual’s OCD symptoms. This tool has become the standard way to evaluate OCD in both therapy offices and research studies. When first meeting with someone who has OCD symptoms, the Y-BOCS gives clear numbers that show how serious the condition is and […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • Legal Risks of Poor Documentation, and how Therapists can Protect Themselves

    Legal Risks of Poor Documentation, and how Therapists can Protect Themselves

    Documentation is a key component of therapeutic practice and ethical professional practice. Therapists have an obligation to keep comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate session records with their clients. Poor documentation exposes therapists to the risk of lawsuits such as malpractice action, complaints with licensing boards, and denial of claims. This piece explains the legal ramifications of […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • How to Start a Therapy Session as a Therapist (Tips from Experienced Therapists)

    How to Start a Therapy Session as a Therapist (Tips from Experienced Therapists)

    Starting a therapy session effectively sets the tone for the entire conversation. A well-structured and thoughtful opening can create a safe space for clients, fostering trust and openness. Whether you are a new therapist or looking to refine your approach, these insights from experienced therapists can help you navigate those first crucial minutes. 1. Ground […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • 10 Best Trauma-Informed Therapy Trainings for Therapists

    10 Best Trauma-Informed Therapy Trainings for Therapists

    Trauma-informed therapy is a key intervention in mental health treatment that allows therapists to deliver safe, empathetic, and effective therapy to clients with trauma. Being a trauma therapist, keeping up with the finest training programs can make your job better and enhance your knowledge further on how trauma affects the body and mind. Below are […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • Group Therapy Notes (With Group Note Template for Therapists)

    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 […]
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine Avatar
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine
  • 15 SOAP Note Examples and Templates (2025)

    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 […]
    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • What to do When a Client Shuts Down in Therapy

    What to do When a Client Shuts Down in Therapy

    Therapy sessions don’t always flow smoothly. There are moments when the conversation suddenly halts. A client who was actively engaged just seconds ago now stares at the floor, answers in monosyllables, or seems to have mentally left the room entirely. These shutdowns aren’t roadblocks but doorways that, when approached with care, often lead to the […]
    Gargi Singh, Psychologist Avatar
    Gargi Singh, Psychologist
  • Clinical Supervision Models in Counselling

    Clinical Supervision Models in Counselling

    Clinical supervision models provide various approaches based on our stage of development as therapists, the challenges we encounter, and the feedback that best supports our growth. Clinical supervision isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. In fact, the type of supervision that helps a brand-new therapist build confidence isn’t necessarily what a seasoned clinician needs to refine their […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • How to Reduce Stigma and Bias in Clinical Communication?

    How to Reduce Stigma and Bias in Clinical Communication?

    Stigma affects individuals that need mental health support in many ways. It creates shame and makes them feel judged. This prevents clients from seeking mental health treatment. Some avoid treatment altogether. Others withhold important information that is necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Clinical communication play a vital part in shaping client’s therapy experience. The way […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • How can Therapists Improve Their Note-taking Efficiency?

    How can Therapists Improve Their Note-taking Efficiency?

    Therapists play an important role in helping clients manage mental health challenges but their role goes beyond holding sessions with clients. Note-taking is one of their most essential yet time-consuming tasks. Clear and organized notes enable the tracking of clients progress after each session. It also ensures continuity of care. Still, many therapists find documentation […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC) for Children

    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 […]
    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW