This continuing education course is based upon the Record Keeping Guidelines developed by the American Psychological Association (APA).  It provides a framework for decision making regarding how to keep client records.  Both state and federal law require the maintenance of records for psychological service.  What to include in those records and what not to include involves complicated choices, this CEU course is designed to help psychologists and other licensed clinicians make those determinations. 

According to the APA, “Psychologists should be familiar with legal and ethical requirements for record keeping in their specific professional contexts and jurisdictions. These guidelines are not intended to describe these requirements fully or to provide legal advice.  These guidelines are intended to provide psychologists with a general framework for considering appropriate courses of action or practice in relation to record keeping.  Record keeping procedures are directed, to some extent, by the Ethics Code and legal and regulatory requirements.  Within these guidelines, more directive language has been used when a particular guideline is based specifically on mandatory provisions of the Ethics Code or law.  However, some areas are not addressed in those enforceable standards and regulations. In these areas, more aspirational language has been used. This document aims to elaborate and provide assistance to psychologists as they attempt to establish their own record keeping policies and procedures.

This CE course serves as an excellent resource for psychologists and licensed mental health professionals who require continuing education in the subject of record keeping and ethics.  It helps to build skills in decision making regarding client records, which are essential to good practice as a means to earn CEUs. 

Psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists can benefit from this course and earn continuing education credits. This course may also be helpful for other practitioners, such as midwives and dieticians and nutritionists who may also need a continuing education course in documentation.

This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to learn more about documentation and ethical decision making.  It is also a good resource for licensed professionals who need continuing education.

Authors:  American Psychological Association (APA)

Learning Objectives:  This course will provide a professional with detailed information about ethics and boundaries in psychotherapy.  Specifically, a professional will:

·    Distinguish the limits and parameters of the record keeping guidelines developed by the APA

·    Identify the guidelines for record keeping identified by APA

·    Identify rationale for each guideline for record keeping

Citation:  American Psychological Association (APA) (2007).  Record Keeping Guidelines.  American Psychologist V62, N9, 993-1004