Mentalyc Blog

  • Recognizing and Managing Manipulative Clients in Counseling

    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 […]
    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scale (Conners CBRS)

    Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scale (Conners CBRS)

    Supporting the mental health of children and adolescents often feels like piecing together a complex and ever-changing puzzle. The Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) serves as a vital component, offering therapists, parents, and teachers a reliable framework to understand and address behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges in individuals aged 6 to 18. Whether identifying […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • Common Mistakes Therapists Make in Progress Notes

    Common Mistakes Therapists Make in Progress Notes

    Progress notes are vital aspects of mental health care. They keep track of the therapeutic process and provide a record of the client’s progress. However, therapists can make mistakes during the documentation, which compromises the effectiveness of client treatment. This can subject clinicians to vulnerabilities related to professional liability. These errors include using unclear language […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • Common Mistakes Therapists Make in Progress Notes

    Time Management Counseling (Techniques, Tips and Tools)

    As psychologists and therapists, we’re in the business of helping others manage their mental health, relationships, and life challenges. Yet one of the most common struggles I encounter among my clients—and frankly, among colleagues as well—is the seemingly simple yet profoundly challenging task of managing time effectively. In my practice, I’ve found that time management […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • Progress Notes in Mental Health

    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 […]
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine Avatar
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine
  • How to Write ABA Session Notes: Tips, Templates & Best Practices for RBTs, BCBAs & BCaBAs

    Ever catch yourself thinking, “Am I doing ABA notes the right way?” Whether you’re a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or another kind of therapist, you’ve probably been writing notes since your very first client. Yet most of us never received clear guidance on how to make ABA notes both efficient and meaningful for the client’s […]
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine Avatar
    Dr. Salwa Zeineddine
  • Treatment Plan for Eating Disorders

    Treatment Plan for Eating Disorders

    Eating disorders are often very complex and affect multiple parts of a person’s life. For many, food is not just food; it is security, punishment, or even a means of self-expression. It is a complex interplay of psychological, biological, and social factors, making recovery a difficult but achievable process.That’s why a structured treatment plan for […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • Top HIPAA Compliant EHRs

    Top HIPAA Compliant EHRs

    The importance of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) cannot be over-emphasized. Making sure that you and your organization stay compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is of utmost importance with respect to keeping patient information safe. A step in the right direction is choosing the right HIPAA compliant EHR for your practice. […]
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist Avatar
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist
  • HIPAA Compliant Scheduling Software

    HIPAA Compliant Scheduling Software

    Every therapist knows the importance of protecting client data from prying eyes. However, making a choice from several HIPAA compliant scheduling software could be difficult. In this article, we will be showing you the 10 best HIPAA compliant scheduling software, their features including the pros and cons. Best HIPAA Compliant Scheduling Software in 2024 1. […]
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist Avatar
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist
  • Therapy Intake Questions

    Therapy Intake Questions

    When we meet with a client for the first time, we are not just checking boxes on an evaluation sheet; we are witnessing someone’s courage in seeking treatment and sharing their story. Every question we ask serves two purposes: gathering vital clinical information while also creating connection and demonstrating genuine empathy. Through careful investigation and […]
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist Avatar
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist
  • The 8 Best Books for Therapists in 2025

    The 8 Best Books for Therapists in 2025

    For therapists seeking to increase their knowledge and improve their practice, selecting the right literature can be life changing. Good books not only offer insights into complex psychological theories and therapeutic techniques but also provide real-life examples that can be used in daily sessions with clients. These books often cover a broad range of topics, […]
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist Avatar
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist
  • Treatment Plan for Couples Therapy

    Treatment Plan for Couples Therapy (with Examples)

    Couples therapy is a structured way of helping partners navigate relationship problems, improving communication, and reestablishing closeness. A clearly defined couples therapy treatment plan serves as a guide to therapy, offering guidance for sessions and progress monitoring. It helps couples and therapists stay goal-oriented when addressing specific problems that arise in the relationship. Assessment and […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • Communication Skills Therapy

    Communication Skills Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide

    In the context of mental health, communication skills therapy refers to the abilities individuals utilize to express their feelings, thoughts, and emotions effectively while also understanding the verbal and non-verbal messages conveyed by others. These skills include: Enhancing communication skills is crucial for effective therapy, fostering strong interpersonal relationships, and deepening self-awareness. Importance of communication […]
    Gargi Singh, Psychologist Avatar
    Gargi Singh, Psychologist
  • Therapy Shelf vs Note Designer

    Therapy Shelf vs Note Designer

    Therapy Shelf and Note Designer are note-writing software platforms used by mental health professionals. They both offer reliable organizing features that provide efficient documentation for therapists. The two software tools help therapists to easily write accurate progress notes seamlessly. Therapy Shelf and Note Designer enables therapists efficiently manage their workflow and provide better services to […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • Gottman Treatment Plan Example

    Gottman Treatment Plan Example

    As mental health practitioners, we often come across couple clients dealing with communication issues, emotional disconnection, and unresolved conflicts. Dr. John Gottman’s research-driven method provides a systematic framework that can lead couples to deeper intimacy and lasting fulfilment. The Gottman treatment plan method developed by Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman over 40 […]
    Gargi Singh, Psychologist Avatar
    Gargi Singh, Psychologist
  • Exploring ChatGPT for Therapy Notes: Benefits, Limitations, and HIPAA Concerns

    The use of AI in therapy is an emerging field, and one application that has been discussed among therapists is the use of ChatGPT for therapy notes. While the idea of using AI to assist with the tedious task of writing therapy notes is appealing, there are also concerns about the ethics and legality of […]
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist Avatar
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist
  • Evidence Based Practice in Mental Health

    Evidence Based Practice in Mental Health (With Examples)

    Evidence-based practice (EBP) in mental health is perceived as the standard for delivering effective, personalized care. By weaving together scientific research, clinical expertise, and the unique needs of patients, EBP transforms treatment into a dynamic, patient-centered process. This approach addresses a long-standing challenge: bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world therapy. In doing so, […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • Conducting a Successful Therapy Intake With Your Clients

    Conducting a Successful Therapy Intake With Your Clients

    That therapy intake session is where everything begins—part art, part science, and completely essential to get right. In those initial 45-50 minutes, we’re not just gathering information; we’re setting the foundation for the entire therapeutic relationship. The questions we ask (and how we ask them) determine whether clients will share what’s truly going on or […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • Compare ICANotes vs Kareo Clinical

    Compare ICANotes vs Kareo Clinical – A Detailed Comparison

    ICANotes and Kareo Clinical are web-based electronic health records (EHR) software designed for therapists. They are helpful for therapists by simplifying documentation processes and reducing administrative tasks. Knowing the best EHR software to use in your practice will enable therapists deliver quality and excellent client care. Selecting the right EHR software as a therapist is […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • Treatment Plan for Panic Disorder

    Treatment Plan for Panic Disorder

    Panic attack is an exaggerated perception of danger. Panic disorder on the hand is a recurrent, unexpected panic attack. These attacks include a variety of physical and mental symptoms. One major marker is that the individual is often afraid and worries about repeated attacks. These fears result in abnormal changes in behavior. This article provides […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale

    Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)

    The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a widely used clinician-administered tool for assessing the severity of depression. Developed in 1979 by Stuart Montgomery and Marie Åsberg, the scale was designed to be more sensitive to changes in depressive symptoms than earlier instruments, such as the  Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Purpose and Significance of the […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • How to Bill Insurance for Couples Therapy

    How to Bill Insurance for Couples Therapy?

    When it comes to billing, couples therapy can be more challenging than individual therapy sessions. Unlike individual therapy, insurance companies hardly cover couples therapy unless it is considered “medically necessary”. As a result, therapists often face difficulties with insurance policies. This includes using the right CPT codes, and understanding the necessary billing requirements. This article […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • Clinical Supervision in Counselling

    Clinical Supervision in Counselling

    Clinical supervision represents a crucial element of professional development in mental health fields. It is far more than a mere administrative requirement – it is a dynamic, collaborative process that intertwines professional skill enhancement, emotional support, and ethical accountability. Clinical Supervision – Supervisory Relationships Supervisory relationships are a complex blend of professional, education and therapeutic […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • How to Improve Counseling Staff Retention Rates

    How to Improve Counseling Staff Retention Rates

    Mental health professionals (MHPs) support the well-being of clients seeking emotional and psychological help. However, extensive turnover in this field breaks up continuity in client care, raises organizational expenses, and puts strain on the remaining workforce. Contributing factors to these poor staff retention challenges are employee burnout, low compensation, limited career advancement, and poor support […]
    Gargi Singh, Psychologist Avatar
    Gargi Singh, Psychologist