- Recorded Webinar
Clinical Documentation & Treatment Planning: Treatment Plans, Progress Notes and Legal and Ethical Compliance (RV)
Frances Patterson, PhD, LADAC II, MAC, DAC, QCS.
- Recorded Webinar
Overview:
Accurate and intentional clinical documentation is a cornerstone of ethical, effective, and defensible mental health practice. Beyond a regulatory requirement, the client record serves as a comprehensive narrative of the client’s therapeutic journey from initial assessment through discharge — while also reflecting clinical decision-making, treatment progress, and outcomes. Inconsistent or incomplete documentation can lead to ethical vulnerabilities, legal risk, and barriers to quality care.
This 6-hour training provides a practical and clinically relevant framework for developing clear, concise, and compliant documentation, along with effective, individualized treatment plans. Examine the full continuum of clinical documentation, including assessment summaries, progress notes, treatment plans, clinical reviews, group documentation, and discharge summaries. Learn to create documentation that is both clinically meaningful and aligned with legal, ethical, and third-party payer standards.
Through didactic instruction, case examples, and applied learning, you’ll strengthen your ability to translate clinical work into accurate written records, develop measurable treatment goals, and ensure that documentation supports continuity of care, accountability, and positive client outcomes. This training is designed to increase clinician confidence, improve efficiency, and reduce risk while enhancing the overall quality of care.
Designed for mental health professionals who want practical tools to write better notes, build stronger treatment plans, and protect themselves legally.
Objectives:
- Describe the essential components of high-quality clinical documentation, including accuracy, clarity, timeliness, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Differentiate between various forms of clinical documentation (e.g., intake assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, group notes, and discharge summaries) and identify their specific purposes in the therapeutic process.
- Explain the role of clinical documentation in supporting continuity of care, treatment effectiveness, and risk management.
- Identify the core elements of an effective, individualized treatment plan, including measurable goals, objectives, and interventions.
- Develop a treatment plan that aligns with client needs, diagnostic considerations, and evidence-based practices.
- Analyze legal and ethical considerations related to client records, including confidentiality, documentation standards, and potential audit or subpoena risks.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This 6-hour training provides a practical framework for clinical documentation and treatment planning, including assessment summaries, progress notes, treatment plans, group documentation, discharge summaries, and legal and ethical considerations related to client records. Content is presented for educational purposes and is intended to strengthen documentation practices and treatment planning skills. This course does not substitute for clinical supervision or specialty training when working with complex, high-risk, or legally sensitive documentation matters. Participants are responsible for applying course content within the boundaries of their individual scope of practice, agency policies, licensure requirements, and applicable ethical and legal standards. Completion of this training does not confer certification or an independent credential beyond the provider’s certificate of completion.
Commercial Support Disclosure
Dr. Patterson is the author of “The Addiction Supervisor’s Toolbox” and may reference this and other professional materials she has developed during the presentation. No purchase of any book, program, or material is required to complete this training. No other financial relationships, sponsorships, or commercial support relevant to the content of this activity have been received by the presenter or provider.
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Frances Patterson, PhD, LADAC II, MAC, DAC, QCS.
Dr. Frances Patterson received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Alcohol and Drug Education Rehabilitation Program and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at California Southern University. In addition to being a level 2 licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor in TN, she is a National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) certified Master addiction counselor and Qualified Substance Abuse Professional. She also holds a certification as a Doctoral Addictions Counselor with the National Association of Forensic Counselors. She is certified by the State of TN as a Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Alcohol and Drug licensure. She has worked as a counselor and program administrator in treatment programs in Virginia and Tennessee for almost 35 years, providing clinical supervision for 25 of those years. She is the owner of Footprints Consulting Services, LLC in Nashville, TN. Dr. Patterson provides client education, program consultation, professional training, and clinical supervision. In addition, she currently works part-time at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office where she supervises addiction counselors toward licensure, provides program staff training and assists with program development. Dr. Patterson has conducted professional training locally, statewide and nationally for over 28 years on a variety of topics in addictions, mental health and professional counseling issues. She has extensive experience as a trainer and is skilled in training development. Dr. Patterson is the past chair of NAADAC’s clinical issues committee and a past ethics committee member. She served four years as SE Regional Vice President, is a member of the NAADAC Trainers Academy, and is a trainer for “Trainings by NAADAC.” She received the Middle TN Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (MTAADAC) Professional of the Year award in 2004 and the MTAADAC and TAADAC Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2005. Dr. Patterson received the Mel Schulstad award, NAADAC’s national Professional of the Year award in 2006. For several years, Dr. Patterson has published articles in professional magazines and in 2020, completed her book “The Addiction Supervisor’s Toolbox”. In her spare time, she loves to play and have fun with her husband and family. She enjoys her dogs, knitting, traveling, scuba diving, reading, and Scottish Highland Games and fantasy fairs.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.
Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2026 – 06-03-2029
CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336, #50-29024). eCare BHI directly reports CE hours to CE Broker for the following licensees:
- Professional Counselors and Mental Health Counselors — Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia
- Marriage and Family Therapists — Florida, Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee
- Social Workers — Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia
- Psychologists — Florida (Home Study Courses), Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, Wyoming
- Addiction Counselors — Kansas, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina
- Other specialized licensees — Tennessee (Clinical Pastoral Therapist), South Carolina (Licensed Psycho-Educational Specialist), New Hampshire (Pastoral)
Licensees are encouraged to confirm reporting scope with their state board.
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
| Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
| Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | ||||||
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
| Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
| New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | |
Notes:
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
| Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
| New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
| Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
| Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
| Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
| Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | |||
Note: Please note that Individual Board Rules are subject to potential changes. The approval and acceptance details we furnish are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of documentation.
Should you have any inquiries or uncertainties not addressed by the provided information, it’s advisable to consult your State Regulatory Board. Ultimately, the decision of whether your license renewal credit hours are accepted or denied rests with you.
Georgia Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (ADACBGA) #19-12-17-1212.
Florida Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Florida Certification Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (FCB) #5387-A.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling: The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider.
Oklahoma Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (OBLADC) #20220136.
Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure: E Care BHI is an approved CE provider for LPC & LMFT
Ohio Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (OCDP)#50-29024.
Note: eCare’s OCDP-approved courses are for renewal continuing education only and do not fulfill initial CDCA Preliminary or CDCA certification requirements.
The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider.
VA Mental Health Employee: E Care BHI VA COMMERCIAL VENDOR # 81-3353387-01
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP): E Care BHI is recognized by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) Provider Number OS-22-344-0526
Connecticut Certification Board CCB Approved): E Care BHI is recognized & approved by the Connecticut Certification Board.
Texas Certification Board (TCB): E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Texas Certification Board as an approved education provider. Number 2041-19
South Carolina E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board as an approved education provider Provider #4628
New York (MHC) E Care Behavioral Health is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0277
New York (SW) E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0745 LA-ADRA – E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by Louisiana The Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority as an approved educational provider AEP #E122
Who This Training is For:
This program is intended for mental health professionals such as Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Addiction Counselors, & MFT’s. Psychologists are encouraged to verify if this specific course meets their board’s approval requirements.
CE Guarantee
If you no longer wish to take the course, we’re happy to offer a credit transfer to another course of equal CE value
Unlimited Access
Enjoy unlimited replays to the video lesson that you can always review later for your own resource
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If you're from Florida, Ohio, or South Carolina, we'll report your CEs to the CE broker
How It Works
Sign Up & Watch The Training
Pass Quiz & Complete Evaluation
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we are approved Continuing Education providers by ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, APA & many other state boards.
Programs that do not qualify for ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, & APA are clearly identified. eCare Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
To view all of our board approvals, click here
1) After watching the video lesson, you’ll be prompted to complete a short course evaluation
2) Pass the quiz
3) Receive your certificate immediately
80% or above with 3 attempts.
No. Our courses are not “book to buy” and do not require any other materials in advance.
Yes. (If you’re from Florida, Ohio, & South Carolina). We report CEs to the CE broker daily for courses completed the day before. For both live and recorded webinars.
Recorded Webinar CE Courses:
- Refunds are only eligible if the course was purchased within 30 days or less.
- If the customer doesn’t want the course anymore, or was unsatisfied from it – We can transfer credits to another course of their choice (with same CE credit amount).
Unlimited CEs for $297/year
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