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I've created your practice's entire intake and documentation process ... with attorney approved consents! ... so that private practice doesn't have to be a long-term dream, but something that you can get started on today!
After completing this affordable, high value 5+ hour training, you'll feel confident to:
* identify your ideal client
* screen referrals
* develop lightning fast rapport
* gather a ton of info during that first intake session
* review a biopsychosocial history
* complete a Mental Status Exam
* screen for risk of harm
* create a crisis plan
PLUS you'll understand what insurance companies are looking for so you can be confident in creating iron clad treatment plans and session notes, including:
* an overview of CPT codes commonly used in private practice
* two sample treatment plans and a dozen sample goals
* a 90-second session note temple
This training includes 5+ hours of video instruction PLUS downloadable, editable versions of everything you need to get a new client up and running in your practice TODAY!
Keep scrolling for a detailed list of everything included in Fundamentals of Private Practice!
What to Expect
5+ Hours of Video Tutorials
Detailed, thorough, step-by-step instructions using real life examples to compete each phase of the intake process!
Finding Your Ideal Client
Fill you practice with your dream clients! Use worksheets to identify exactly who you'd like to work with, create website copy that speaks directly to your ideal clients, and figure out your "dealbreakers" to screen out folx who aren't the best fit. Plus download and use my referral tracking form to stay on top of prospective new clients!
Screening Referrals
Stop panicking when the phone rings and set the tone for treatment by using my word for word scripting to steer initial screening calls ... including addressing difficult topics like crisis situations, referring out, and wrapping things up with aplomb.
Attorney Approved Paperwork
See below for a detailed rundown of every single form you'll get! :)
Talking About Finances
No one enjoys discussing fees. Learn to communicate with confidence and transparency, understand how to provide superbills and discuss your "private pay" fee without cringing.
Biopsychosocial History
Whether you work with adults or children (or both!), these 10-page Biopsychosocial History templates will provide everything you need to know about clients before they walk into your office for the first session, starting with a client-friendly symptom checklist to get the ball rolling. (Two separate templates for adults and children.)
Mental Staus Exam
Learn when, why, and how to complete a Mental Status Exam. Not exactly sure what's different about "mood" and "affect" or what "though content" might indicate? I've got you covered with a thorough rundown of each section on the MSE and an easy-to-use template.
Risk Assessment
Use this multi-page risk assessment tool to help determine if your client has a history of risk or is currently in need of immediate crisis intervention. In addition to this tool, you'll also receive a list of other useful suicide risk assessment tools that you can download for free online!
Crisis Planning
Review a sample crisis plan and use this template to create crisis plans for your clients, including identifying what life looks like when they're feeling well, triggers and read flags, and even things that are often overlooked ... like who is caring for pets when a crisis situation arises.
First Session Flow and Scripting
Okay, they're walking in the door! Now what?!? Build rapport quickly and keep that first session on track by using my word for word scripting to cover everything from a warm welcome to talking about a diagnosis with confidence.
Treatment Planning
Review TWO sample treatment plans (one child and one adult) and use this template to create client treatment plans that will stand up to an audit. BONUS: I've created a dozen measurable goals with objectives for common symptoms / diagnoses that you'll see in your practice!
The 90-Second Session Note
For real. For really real. Write a session note in under two minutes with this checkbox style template that covers everything insurance companies want to see, while also tracking progress over time. Spend less time at the computer and more time walking your dog, reading mysteries, and eating cheese (or, you know, whatever you enjoy doing)!
Care Coordination
Learn how to best communicate with primary care physicians, prescribers, adjunctive therapists, schools, and anyone else that your client is also working with!
Termination
Sometimes breaking up is hard to do. Learn how to talk about collaborative planning for termination and how to address unilateral termination when it's necessary.
CPT Codes
So was that session a 90791 or a 90837? What about a crisis session? I'll demystify the most commonly used CPT Codes in private practice with a rundown of when to use each, plus you'll receive a downloadable list to keep on hand for your own documentation needs!
Attorney Approved Paperwork
Adult Consent for Psychotherapy
This document provides and overview of what clients can expect from the therapeutic process, including inherent risks and limitations, your scope of practice and credentials, roles and responsibilities, when and how diagnosing is used, and how medical records can be accessed.
Child / Adolescent Consent for Psychotherapy
Working with children, and especially adolescents, presents some unique challenges surrounding confidentiality. This document is designed to help younger people understand exactly what a therapist a is, what your role in their is, and how you will work to protect their privacy.
Telehealth Consent
If you are providing psychotherapy via a telehealth platform, as many of us began doing in 2020, it is vital to have this additional consent signed by clients prior to beginning services.
Support Group Consent
Bullying? Breaking confidentiality? Paying for a group series upfront? This consent covers expectations for behavior within the group, as well as how the need for additional 1-on-1 support will be assessed.
Privacy / HIPAA Policy
This 4 page document is required for all healthcare providers, or anyone who handles PHI, to review with their clients or patients.
Consent for Release of Information
If you would like to coordinate care with other providers, talk with a child's school, have an emergency contact on file, or request records from a former therapist, a Consent for Release of Information is required ahead of time.
Email Privacy Notification
Add a layer of HIPAA security to your practice by tagging this email privacy notification onto all of your emails, after your signature, so that all recipients are clear on your privacy policy.
Practice Policies
There is SO MUCH to cover with clients! This 4 page document covers financial related issues, appointment and cancelation expectations, crisis support (or lack thereof), contact between sessions, social media engagement, professional boundaries, and termination.
Inclement Weather Policy
What happens when it snows? Or when local schools are out for the day unexpectedly? This policy will provide a clear framework to reduce "no shows" due to inclement weather.
Assignment of Insurance Benefits
If you are "in-network" with insurance companies, this document is a must have, allowing your to file claims on your clients' behalf and share information necessary for you to receive payment for services.
Election to Self-Pay
Clients can have many reasons for declining to use their insurance benefits, even if you are an in-network provider, and this document provides them with the opportunity to "opt out" of using insurance benefits.
Superbill Template
You'll need a Superbill to provide to clients who have insurance that you are not in-network with. Just fill this out, send it to the client along with their invoice, and they can request reimbursement from their insurer!
Collections Notice
The dreaded collections letter. Hopefully things won't reach this point, but in the event it's necessary you can send this letter via certified mail to ideally receive payments before having to turn things over to collections.
Work or School Excuse Note
There are extra protections with public schools (and some work places) for individuals to attend medically necessary appointments. Be prepared to send your clients out the door with the documentation they need for school or work.
Chart Note
Document any contact you have outside of a session with clients, family members, other providers, etc.
Care Coordination Form
You'll likely be asked to coordinate care with schools, primary care physicians, adjunctive therapists, or other providers and this form provides an easy cover letter to establish that initial connection.
Treatment Summary
Use this template to provide a thorough overview of your clients' progress throughout the treatment process, including dates of services, diagnoses, engagement, and clinical observations and recommendation.
Termination Letter
Unfortunately, termination of services isn't always a shared decision between you and a client. In the event that you have to unilaterally decide to terminate a client from services, this letter provides a clear termination date as well as referral options and crisis support information.
Ready to invest in yourself and your new private practice?
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the instructor
Jill Williams, LCSW
Jill has completed *hundreds* (if not thousands) of client intakes since 2009. She has mastered the art of screening referrals in under 15 minutes, getting a ton of useful information from an intake packet before even meeting her new clients in person, and developing rock solid therapeutic rapport during a first session.
Jill currently has a booming 6-figure private practice full of her ideal clients ... with new referrals streaming in every week!
When not working, you'll find Jill out on the trails in the morning, at the brewery in the afternoon, and in the front row at a concert in the evening. She has an awesome husband, a witty tween daughter that barely wants to hang out with her anymore, and a big ol' dog that only listens when treats are visible.
Jill currently has a booming 6-figure private practice full of her ideal clients ... with new referrals streaming in every week!
When not working, you'll find Jill out on the trails in the morning, at the brewery in the afternoon, and in the front row at a concert in the evening. She has an awesome husband, a witty tween daughter that barely wants to hang out with her anymore, and a big ol' dog that only listens when treats are visible.
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