The Paper Office for the Digital Age: Forms, Guidelines, and Resources to Make Your Practice Work Ethically, Legally, and Profitably - Softcover

Zuckerman, Edward L.; Kolmes, Keely

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1462528007 ISBN 13: 9781462528004

Publisher: The Guilford Press, 2016

Synopsis

Significantly revised and updated to include online and computerized aspects of private practice, this essential manual has given many tens of thousands of clinicians the complete record-keeping and risk-reduction tools that every psychotherapy practice needs. The book provides effective methods for obtaining informed consent, planning treatment and documenting progress, managing HIPAA compliance, maintaining clinical and financial records, communicating with clients and third-party payers, and reducing malpractice risk. Drawing from the professional literature, it features key guidance and easy-to-digest pointers about the ethical, legal, and business aspects of practice. With a large-size format and lay-flat binding for easy photocopying of the 53 reproducible forms and handouts, the book includes a CD-ROM that lets purchasers customize and print the reproducible materials.

New to This Edition:
*Updated throughout to reflect today's greater use of electronic/digital technologies in practice management.
*Chapter on insurance and billing, coping with managed care, and Medicare.
*Chapter on private practice marketing, including Internet and social media dos and don'ts.
*Expanded topics: HIPAA compliance, ICD-10, responding to subpoenas, and using online technologies for billing, communication, and record keeping.
*Information about hundreds of websites dealing with all aspects of operating a practice.

See also Clinician's Thesaurus, 8th Edition, by Edward L. Zuckerman, the indispensable resource for conducting interviews and writing psychological reports.

About this title

About the Author

Edward L. Zuckerman, PhD, consults and creates effective practice tools for clinicians. He found his life’s passion while working as a psychiatric aide at New York’s Bellevue Hospital in the 1960s. Dr. Zuckerman has worked with adults in a variety of clinical contexts, acted as liaison with state hospitals, taught undergraduates, and maintained an independent practice in general clinical psychology for many years. He lives in rural western Pennsylvania.

Keely Kolmes, PsyD, is in private practice in San Francisco and Oakland, California. They currently serve as Chair of the Ethics Committee of the California Psychological Association and as California's Council Representative for the American Psychological Association (APA). Dr. Kolmes is a Fellow of APA Division 42 (Psychologists in Independent Practice) and received its award for Best Article of the Year in Independent Practitioner for the influential paper “Developing My Private Practice Social Media Policy.” A graduate of the APA's Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, Dr. Kolmes is the founder of Bay Area Open Minds, a group of therapists affirming sexual and gender diversity. Dr. Kolmes teaches and consults nationally and internationally on digital ethics and technology issues for clinicians. Their website is http://drkkolmes.com.

Review

"This updated fifth edition is chock-full of details about all aspects of managing a practice, from designing a business card and writing a professional will to understanding the nitty-gritty components of paper and electronic record keeping, maintaining confidentiality, and marketing a practice. When questions arise about ethical guidelines, practice management, and documentation of care, clinicians of all levels of experience will want to turn to this book."--Joan Davidson, PhD, Co-Director, San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy; Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, Berkeley

"Opening a private practice in the mental health professions--and keeping up with all the regulatory, ethical, and clinical requirements--can be very daunting. Zuckerman and Kolmes have provided the most comprehensive and current practice management manual for both new and seasoned professionals. The fifth edition provides in-depth coverage of the challenges and opportunities created by the growing use of digital technologies to conduct and document therapy. This manual is not intended to be read in one or two days, but rather serves as a reference for establishing policies and procedures and answering questions that arise in practice. The detailed table of contents and index make it easy for practitioners to locate the information they need. Zuckerman and Kolmes should be credited for helping clinicians from any discipline put the highest levels of ethical and legal standards into practice. As a text, this book is a good fit for courses on professional ethics, risk management, and establishing a professional practice--students will want to keep it at hand long after graduation."--Allan E. Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD, School of Social Work, Florida Atlantic University; Former Chair, National Ethics Committee, National Association of Social Workers

"This soup-to-nuts guide to opening and operating a therapeutic practice is a 'must read' for every mental health clinician. For the solo practitioner or small office, the sample forms for every conceivable clinical and business issue from intake to termination are a terrific benefit of this absorbing book. And every clinician should read and periodically reread the excellent chapter on ethics and malpractice. If you have an office manager, that person needs this book. If you have this book, you may not need an office manager."--James Morrison, MD, Affiliate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University

"Private practice involves a great deal of hard work, planning, and foresight. This book does a remarkable job of covering the broad range of concerns related to maintaining a practice based on sound risk management strategies plus current HIPAA regulations. Not only do the authors share ideas garnered from other experienced practitioners, but they also offer a wealth of reproducible forms and abundant supporting references. The fifth edition aptly addresses current technological advances, insurance complexities, and general consumer litigiousness. A 'must have' for anyone engaged in private practice."--Ann A. Abbott, PhD, LCSW, past president, National Association of Social Workers; retired Professor and Chair of Graduate Social Work, West Chester University

"When I was training to be a therapist, I studied theory, psychopathology, and treatment--but not the nuts and bolts of running a practice. I learned the rules and policies that guide a successful practice 'on the job,' and it took a long time. The fifth edition of this amazing book contains all the essential information that I wish I had learned during my formal education. It includes expert guidance for therapists working in an environment dominated by social media. This is the ideal text for a practice-based class or one focused on professional issues, and serves as the seminal reference for therapists in private practice."--JoEllen Patterson, PhD, Department of Counseling and Marital and Family Therapy, University of San Diego

"This excellent book covers all the relevant issues involved in starting and maintaining a private practice....This book should be in the hands of all private practitioners, whether newly graduated or seasoned veterans.”, Doody's Review Service Published On: 2017-03-10

“Should be among the most well-thumbed works in the library of virtually anyone in independent practice....Thoughtful perusal of and decision-making based on this volume's detailed, inclusive, carefully crafted information should well equip mental health practitioners to establish or update sound and effective practice procedures and materials. Various chapters walk readers through myriad ethical and practical considerations that should underlie the policies and procedures governing their business.... Much of [the book’s] value lies in the information and advice it provides on practicing ethically--and on thinking through challenging or complex situations and decisions.” (on the fourth edition), The National Psychologist Published On: 2009-04-01

“An essential resource for every practicing clinician. This book is the premiere guide for professional record keeping. Adopting the suggested record-keeping strategies outlined in the text will help to ensure maximum profitability, increase clinical efficiency, and minimize risk for professional liability....An essential resource for any therapist's office.” (on the third edition), The Master's Advocate

“The entire book is worthwhile and essential reading for every clinician....Solidly written, practical, with easy-to-implement forms and guidelines, this book is the definitive resource for the busy clinician.” (on the third edition), Doody's Electronic Journal

Edition details

• Publisher: The Guilford Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1462528007
• ISBN 13: 9781462528004
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 502