This popular manual provides the clinical, financial, and legal record-keeping tools that every psychotherapy practice needs. It is ideal for new practitioners who want to hit the ground running and for seasoned pros who want to overhaul their paperwork and risk-reduction procedures. Provided are methods for documenting informed consent, treatment planning, and progress; advice on fee structures, billing, and marketing; tips on joining managed care panels and communicating with MCO reviewers; recommended online resources; and much more. Special features include 60+ forms and handouts/m-/in a ready-to-use, large-size format/m-/which may be duplicated directly from the book or from the accompanying CD-ROM. "I went into private practice last year and this book became my practice bible. At first, it was alarming for me to think about the need for obtaining written consent, developing a business strategy, writing a notice of privacy practices, and all those other details. But that was a good thing, because it motivated me to work harder, and The Paper Office gave me practical tools to ensure I was providing the best care for my patients."--Gregory M. Martino, PhD, private practice, DuBois, Pennsylvania "Dr. Zuckerman's work is an excellent contribution to every clinician's set of practice procedures."--Bryant L. Welch, JD, PhD "Dr. Zuckerman has created a wonderful resource for mental health practitioners. I have sung the praises of The Paper Office for years in trainings I have conducted on ethical and legal issues in clinical practice. The third edition builds on the strengths of the second edition with practical, user-friendly information and forms related to ethical, legal, and clinical issues, and expands the contents to include timely information on managed care, HIPAA, malpractice issues, and more. This book will be very helpful to practitioners from all of the mental health disciplines, regardless of their experience level."--Eric M. Johnson, PhD, ABPP, Oregon Forensic Institute "I have been using The Paper Office like a bible as I inch toward opening my first practice. Don't make the mistake I did in assuming from the title that this book is simply a set of forms. It's not--not by a long shot. Instead, I urge you to consider it an indispensable tool for all clinicians, both new and seasoned. Moving logically from topic to topic, Zuckerman delves into all the practical and ethical nuts and bolts you need to know and consider carefully as a responsible practitioner. Everything you need in order to develop the forms and handouts you'll use in your business is provided in the book and accompanying CD-ROM, and you can edit and photocopy these documents for individual use. I can't say enough good things about The Paper Office . Buy it today; you'll be glad you did!"--Debbie Klingender, PhD, North Carolina Edward L. Zuckerman received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and remained there as an adjunct teacher of personality psychology and human sexuality for 14 years. He taught abnormal psychology at Carnegie Mellon University for 9 years and now consults to the Social Security Disability Determination Division. He was in the independent general practice of clinical psychology for more than 15 years and has worked in state hospitals and community mental health centers. He lives on a small farm in Pennsylvania with his wife, a daughter, and their horses, chickens, dogs, cats, geese, and ducks. CONTENTS Introduction 1. Basic Paperwork and Communication Tools 2. Financial Tools and Procedures 3. Reducing Malpractice Risk by Operating Ethically 4. Getting Informed Consent 5. Intake and Assessment Forms and Procedures 6. Planning and Then Documenting Treatment 7. Confidentiality and Releasing Records Appendices: Resources References Index Used Book in Good Condition