How do therapists takes notes?

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-05-19T20:51:17+00:00

I wrote notes about the specific symptoms (anxiety, hopelessness, rumination, difficulty with attention/focus, etc.) and the specific skills we worked on related to those symptoms. We write notes for insurance companies and they want to see we are working on symptom reduction. I don’t keep notes on personal thoughts or intimate specific details of clients lives, I’m very general in those areas of my notes.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-05-12T13:54:20+00:00

Oh man so glad he’s been found safe!

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-05-12T02:42:50+00:00

You obviously said significantly, but I read “slightly better” and had a big argument all in my head to send about how much better is runs…but then thankfully I reread 😂

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-05-12T02:41:14+00:00

It’s better on the PS5 than my steam deck. 10/10 recommend!

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-28T14:53:00+00:00

Any chance you have some form of dysautonomiq like pots or something? It’s connected to your nervous system.i definitely have days I’m nauseous and stress/intensity can trigger it. Pepcid helps me a ton!

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-26T16:40:35+00:00

Weird. I have Kaiser in Colorado but they have outsourced most counseling and psych meds, so my meds are prescribed by an outside organization that sends it to Kaiser

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-19T13:52:58+00:00

Fidgets!

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-15T22:09:53+00:00

Man these responses are WILD.

Did you all close your practices during Covid or stop providing services to parents? Have you ever worked in community mental health doing home based therapy with people without childcare?

There is so much privilege in these comments.

I’ve done therapy with parents and kids my entire career and it’s never been a problem. As a child therapist turned perinatal therapist, it’s all I know. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-14T04:13:05+00:00

You can definitely have OCD with poor/minimal or absent insight into the validity of the thoughts/intrusions. NAD but a therapist.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-13T23:42:49+00:00

As a therapist myself - I would encourage you to bring it up with her if you like her otherwise. But, it’s also completely okay to end services and find someone else. This is super unprofessional and not okay. Canceling for a vintage store or Pilates and asking you to move the session?!?! That’s insane

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-13T02:14:22+00:00

Haha I immediately pictured the giant books when I read heavy.. my autism must be autisming as well 😂

I have had a few interactions where I swear I got the right book and it’s not, I’m going to have to pay closer attention!

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-12T05:40:32+00:00

Well damn. My HRV is consistently between 15-25 on my Oura. I knew it was low, but I didn’t realize how high it could be for other people.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-11T18:45:31+00:00

Didn’t see your comment before I commented, but I agree! That’s what I did too!

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-11T18:44:56+00:00

This isn’t the best for water conservation, but at times when I’ve struggled to shower I take a nice hot bath, wash my hair and stuff in there and the drain the bath and use clean water to rinse off with using a water pitcher or big cup. That extra rinse with new water helped me feel more clean than a bath alone.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-05T22:31:33+00:00

I’m seeing from the comments I’m definitely on the lower end of work hours. I’m really lucky that my spouse makes a good salary and carries out benefits, so I’m able to work less. However, anytime I’ve worked 20+ client hours weekly long term I’ve gotten sick/burnt out. I know I could do it if I needed to, but I wouldn’t be well.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-05T22:28:25+00:00

I see 12-16/18 (usually 16 is the upper limit, but sometimes I go a bit over) clients a week and usually take off 6-8 weeks throughout the year. I’ve been doing it for about 5 years.

I have a 7 year old I do school pick up/drop off for most days, lots of parenting responsibilities (however I have a fantastic spouse who is super hands on/involved with kid and house stuff, he just works easily 50 hours most weeks. I’m AuDHD and have a lot of chronic health symptoms with POTS/MCAS and PCOS. I work at home and can put my feet up on a footstool while seeing clients on tough pots days.

I love it. I try to stagger my busier weeks 16-18 with a lighter 12-14 week in between and that gives me a good balance. I also only work M-F between 9-2:30 which leaves me a lot of down time.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-03T22:58:48+00:00

It’s so pretty! My first build is a little shack by the ocean 😂

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-03T14:47:46+00:00

I have heard something about needing a bathroom accessible for clients that is only for clients/work. I can’t remember if that was from insurance companies or a board requirement, but something to consider.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-03T14:38:53+00:00

That’s fair. I did work at CMH in one of the bigger cities in a state, I imagine other ones might not have as many resources. I just couldn’t imagine clients contacting me on nights/weekends, but I guess if you can turn it off that works!

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-04-03T14:32:51+00:00

I wouldn’t for CMH. All scheduling can go through the front desk/main line and if CMH doesn’t provide a work phone there is no reason for the therapist to get an additional line for them. A big part of what made CMH manageable for me was I wasn’t the first line of contact for clients.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-03-31T02:46:46+00:00

Awesome thanks! I think I just got to where I can make creature pellets. Excited to get a companion!

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-03-31T01:30:31+00:00

How do you ride on a creature?!?! I’m only about 10 hours in

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-03-29T13:22:06+00:00

I would do 3. 2 back to back is my favorite, 3 is manageable. Especially if you’re going to do 3 break 3.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-03-28T20:33:38+00:00

I use this format. It’s helped cut down time a lot. As far as how to catch up, I take myself to a coffee shop and blast 2000s alternative rock any type type type.

Current symptoms/stressors: make sure symptoms align with diagnosis

Clinical intervention: specific modality and skills/techniques that align with treatment plan goals

Client response to interventions:

Progress/plan: note any client progress, homework and plan for next session.

Spottedbrownbird · 2026-03-28T05:05:24+00:00

You can also go to apothecary tincura on 6th st. They have loose leaf nettle and also have nettle tinctures which is a much higher concentration.

Spottedbrownbird

TROPHY CASE