Between Sessions with Berries

What Therapists Get Wrong About Session Notes with Barbara Griswold

Berries Episode 44

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0:00 | 33:46

Most mental health professionals know they need to keep session notes. What they often don't know is that the notes they're writing may not hold up when it matters most, whether that's an insurance audit, a licensing board complaint, or a client requesting records.

In this episode of Between Sessions with Berries, Kym sits down with Barbara Griswold, LMFT and author of Navigating the Insurance Maze, to talk about what actually needs to be in a compliant progress note. Barbara has spent decades helping therapists avoid losing money, and she's distilling that experience into the practical documentation guidance most clinicians never got in grad school.

In This Episode, We Cover:

  • Why out-of-network and private pay therapists are not off the hook when it comes to documentation.
  • The one detail most EHRs get wrong that triggers insurance clawbacks.
  • The four cornerstones of a strong progress note and what to include in each section.
  • Why listing "supportive listening" as an intervention can work against you.
  • How to document medical necessity in every note without overhauling your entire process.
  • Barbara's progress note template, now available inside Berries.

Barbara’s Template in Berries
You can now access Barbara’s template directly in Berries and use it in your own sessions.
Go to Templates → select Barbara’s template → click Add to Library.

Connect with Barbara Griswold:
Website: https://theinsurancemaze.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheInsuranceMaze/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-griswold-mft-b973b69/

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Join the Berries Community - A dedicated space for mental health clinicians to connect, share insights, and grow together. Look for Berries AI Official Community on Facebook at www.heyberries.com/community

Brought to You By Berries:
Ready to stop dreading your notes? Berries is your AI assistant for mental health professionals. Save time, stay compliant, and get back to the work you love. Learn more at
heyberries.com.