Description
If you are a psychotherapist who never received training in how to write progress notes, you are in good company. But you may not realize how your current note-keeping habits can hurt you — or your clients. Especially with insurance plans more frequently reviewing client charts — even those of out-of-network therapists —this training couldn’t be timelier.
This two-hour and 10 minute course (applicable nationwide) will give you a great overview of how to write progress notes, with an eye toward meeting legal, ethical, and licensing boards requirements. After viewing this, you will be able to create brief, helpful notes that can allow you to feel confident if you ever receive a records request, or if you have to defend yourself in a complaint. In addition, you will learn about health plan documentation requirements, in case you are audited. For all therapists, more detailed notes can mean protecting ourselves, as well as helping clients get the treatment they deserve.
Topics will include:
- Why we don’t keep good notes — and why we need to
- 3 key ingredients to great progress notes
- 8 Examples of good progress notes (5 individuals, 2 couples therapy, 1 child therapy)
- SOAP and DAP (and one other) note templates, downloadable and customizable
- The trouble with some checkbox template notes
- What insurance plans expect in our notes
- How telehealth documentation is different — NEW!
- Documenting “medical necessity” — the secret to treatment approvals
- Why insurance plans are asking to review charts more frequently
- Why even therapists who don’t work with insurance should write great notes
- Paper vs. electronic notes
- 10 situations where you should write more detailed notes
- Tips on how to save time writing notes, and how to deal with it when you fall behind
- Why an insurance plan might ask for notes or review treatment — and how to respond
(Note: This webinar will not address treatment plans — see my 5-Minute Treatment Plan webinar for this!)
The webinar takes no technological know-how or special program — you will be sent a link in an e-mail, and with one easy click you can watch it on your computer at your convenience. The link has no expiration date, so you can refer back to it as needed. A link to the handout and templates discussed will also be provided.
CE CREDITS: 2 CE credits are available for California BBS Licensees — counts toward Legal and Ethical CEs! Other professionals should check with their licensing boards about possible credit. To receive your CE certificate, just pay the additional $15 fee and complete a brief evaluation and post-test after viewing. If you get 70% correct, YOUR CERTIFICATE WILL BE SENT VIA E-MAIL within 15 minutes of submitting the evaluation. Please check your spam folder if you do not see it. If you do not receive it, please contact us at orders@theinsurancemaze.com.
IMPORTANT: AFTER PURCHASE, DON’T LEAVE THE PAGE! YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REDIRECTED TO A PAGE WITH A LINK TO THE WEBINAR & HANDOUTS (and CE Evaluation link, if purchased). We will follow up with a separate email with these links within 1 business day, in case you didn’t get them. If you do not receive this email, please CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER.
Reviews: “Thank you, Barbara, for the exceptionally well-organized, detailed, and insightful webinar. I have been in this field for 33 years, and have never had such a comprehensive training as yours. Absolutely outstanding and first-rate webinar. The handouts provided served as a great reference as well. This training should be required for all graduate programs and mental health agencies. While I was Director of a large mental health program, I made sure my entire mental health staff and our financial team viewed the webinar –this way we were all on the same page. Highly recommended. FIVE STARS and THUMBS UP!” — Tom Fronczak LCSW-R, Buffalo NY
“I just completed your webinar on progress notes and treatment plans. It helped me figure out what and how I can improve. I was feeling very anxious before and now feel more confident! Thank you!” — Theresa Fitzpatrick-Barkley, LCSW
“Thank you for this valuable and important webinar!! I can’t wait to start using your tips! Finally someone can bring some clarity and useful practical information on how to navigate this maze.” — LMFT, Los Gatos, CA
About the Presenter: Barbara Griswold, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in San Jose, CA, and author of “Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist’s Complete Guide to Working with Insurance — And Whether You Should” (8th edition). Barbara teaches workshops and provides phone consultations to therapists nationwide about insurance and private practice-building. She invites you to contact her — just click here.
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, and LEPs licensed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Barbara Griswold, LMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Contact her at www.theinsurancemaze.com, 408.985.0846, 4010 Moorpark Avenue #118, San Jose, CA 95117, or barbgris@aol.com. 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 address, email, and 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 can be made for those with disabilities or special needs; please contact Barbara Griswold, LMFT at barbgris@aol.com or 408-985-0846 or the address above.
