Documenting Psychotherapy Essentials for Mental Health Practitioners [Paperback]

This concise volume examines exactly what is involved in keeping adequate clinical records of individual, family, couple and group psychotherapy. The authors discuss: limits of confidentiality; retention and disposing of records; documentation of safety issues; client access to records; treatment of minors; and training and supervision issues. Throughout the book, legal cases, vignettes and professional commentary help readers to consider legal and ethical issues.This concise volume examines exactly what is involved in keeping adequate clinical records of individual, family, couple and group psychotherapy. The authors discuss: limits of confidentiality; retention and disposing of records; documentation of safety issues; client access to records; treatment of minors; and training and supervision issues. Throughout the book, legal cases, vignettes and professional commentary help readers to consider legal and ethical issues.PART ONE: THE IMPORTANCE OF RECORD KEEPING IN PSYCHOTHERAPY
Protecting the Client and the Therapist
Limits of Confidentiality
PART TWO: THE CLINICAL RECORD
Contents of a Good Record
Families, Couples and Group Psychotherapy
Supervision and Training
PART THREE: DOCUMENTATION OF SAFETY ISSUES
Danger to Self
Danger to Others
Abuse
PART FOUR: SPECIAL TOPICS RELEVANT TO RECORD KEEPING
Treatment of Minors
Client Access to Records
Retention and Disposition of Records
Conclusions and Frequently Asked Questions
PART FIVE: APPENDIXES