Working with couples is not only clinically challenging, but it can be difficult to navigate the added complexities in the areas of billing, documentation, and ethical practice. When can you ethically bill insurance? Who really is your client? Do you need two charts and treatment plans? What does insurance expect? When one member of the couple comes in alone, how do you handle confidentiality?

This 2.5 hour pre-recorded presentation will cover practical issues you deal with daily when working with couples, challenge myths you may have, clarify areas of confusion, and invite you to think more carefully about your current policies.

Best of all, you'll get a chance to view two couples session notes and a sample couples treatment plan that would satisfy insurance, legal, and ethical expectations.

The webinar is applicable nationwide, for anyone who bills for – or works with – couples.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

• When you can (and can’t) ethically bill insurance for couples therapy
• Common mistakes in billing for couples
• Will Medicare cover couples therapy?
• New advice about billing for longer couples sessions
• Common billing/diagnosis practices that are actually fraud
• Must I choose an identified patient? If so, how do I choose?
• Confidentiality and “no-secrets" policies
• Do you need separate treatment plans and charts?
• Seeing a member of the couple individually
• Changing roles (from individual to couples therapist, or vice versa)
• What should be in your treatment agreement with couples
• Some telehealth issues with couples, including when interstate therapy is legal
• Appropriate couples therapy treatment goals

Recorded June 2025

CEs: 2.5 LEGAL AND ETHICAL CE CREDITS are available for California LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and registered Associates; other licensees will have to check with their licensing boards for possible credit. See below for more CE info

EASY TO VIEW: The webinar takes no technological know-how to watch – after purchase you will immediately be sent a link. With one easy click you can watch it on your computer or smartphone at your convenience. The recording link is available for one year after purchase, so you can stop and start, and refer back to it as needed. A link to the handout and templates discussed will also be provided.

PRICE: $49.98* FOR WEBINAR; ADD $15 FOR 2.5 LEGAL AND ETHICAL CE HOURS for California MFTs/LCSWs/LPCCs/LEPs; other therapists must check with their licensing board for possible credit.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Barbara Griswold, LMFT, is author of "Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working with Insurance – And Whether You Should" (10th edition). She served on the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists State Ethics Committee. After 33 years in private practice working with more than 15 insurance plans, she now provides trainings to therapists and groups nationwide about insurance, progress notes, and the business side of private practice.

AFTER PURCHASE, YOU SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY REDIRECTED TO A PAGE WITH DOWNLOADS – THE WEBINAR LINK AND HANDOUTS (AND IF YOU PURCHASED THE CE CREDITS, THE LINK TO THE CE EVALUATION). We will send a follow up email with these links within one business day. If you do not receive this email, please CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER. Contact us at orders@theinsurancemaze.com if you do not receive it within 1 business day.

*All Prices Subject to Change

Want a Couples Therapy Treatment Agreement? Check out my Couples Forms and Handouts Mini-Packet – click here

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DISTANCE-LEARNING CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM POLICIES: Barbara Griswold, LMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs and Registered Associates licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (CEPA Provider 023504). To receive your CE certificate: Pay the fee above and complete a brief evaluation that will be sent to you in a link. YOUR CERTIFICATE WILL BE SENT VIA E-MAIL ATTACHMENT WITHIN one week of completing the test, if you scored above 70% on the post-test. If you did not pass you will receive notification with instructions on how to retake the test. Barbara Griswold, LMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Contact her at theinsurancemaze.com, 408.985.0846, 4010 Moorpark Avenue #118, San Jose, CA 95117. Grievance Policy: If a participant files a grievance regarding the course level or content, program administration, or non-receipt of certificates, the individual will be asked to put his/her comments in writing. All complaints will be responded to in an ethical and timely manner within 7 days. Questions and concerns should be addressed to Barbara Griswold at the email or phone number above. Refund Policy: Full refunds for CE test payment will be granted when request is submitted in writing and a post-test has not been submitted and graded. Refunds will be issued within 7 days of request. Accommodations for the Disabled: Arrangements may be made for some attendees with disabilities or special needs; please contact us at orders@theinsurancemaze.com or 408-985-0846.