July Membership Meeting Write-Up — Quentin Dunne, M.S., LMFT

The Business of Practice: Are You and Your Practice at Risk?

Presented by Elizabeth Irias
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

“So,” one psychotherapist inquires of another (and we do tend to be an inquiring bunch), “what do you like most about being a therapist?” There are many possible answers to this question, but it’s hard to imagine one of them being, “Obviously, because I love the documentation so much!” Be that as it may, during the July Membership Meeting, presenter Elizabeth Irias, LMFT, made a clear and compelling case why something many in our profession might think of as a burdensome chore is not only an integral part of being a skillful clinician, but a great and valuable resource to both clients and clinicians.

Delivering a polished PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Irias provided an entertaining and educational look at the multiple benefits of timely, accurate, and thoughtful clinical documentation… and the multiple risk of the lack thereof. Using both real life and theoretical examples, she deftly conveyed the ways in which approaching paperwork with the same energy and integrity with which we approach (or, at least, should approach!) our sessions can make us more effective healers. Oh, and a nice little side benefit: such an approach can provide helpful protection in case of an audit, lawsuit, or other circumstance which would result in our clinical records being reviewed by an outside party.

Ms. Irias demonstrated a sharp and lively sense of humor throughout her talk, freely acknowledging that the subject of clinical record keeping might not be among the most popular of subjects while also incorporating playful pop culture references from such iconic television shows as Friends and The Big Bang Theory to help convince the chapter members of why it really should be among the most popular. In this chapter member’s mind, she succeeded admirably.

To learn more about Elizabeth Irias and her professional services, please visit her website, www.clearlyclinical.com or call her at 805.398.0733

Quentin Dunne, M.S., MFT provides nature-based therapy through his private practice in Calabasas. He specializes in trauma recovery, grief and loss/pet loss, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. He can be reached through his website www.naturetherapyheals.com, by e-mail quentindunne@gmail.com, or by phone 818.636.8639.