The Paper Office: Forms, Guidelines, and Resources

The Clinician's Toolbox

by Ph. D. Edward L. Zuckerman

This information-packed manual and CD-ROM provide the basic administrative forms that every independent or small group practice needs. Serving as a "malpractice risk reduction kit," The Paper Office, Second Edition will save therapists time while legally protecting them and their clients. Incorporating current ethical standards, the more than 50 ready-to-use forms, checklists, and handouts include client handouts on confidentiality, such as "What You Should Know About Managed Care"; a sample treatment plan for managed care organizations; therapy contracts for adults, children, and groups; and letters for releasing and requesting client records. The accompanying CD-ROM lets users load any of the forms and handouts into their word processing program and modify them as needed. Alternatively, all materials may be photocopied directly from the book. The CD-ROM also contains a CE test with which readers can earn continuing education credits approved by the American Psychological Association (for an additional fee).

Genres: Reference, Counselling

366 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 1997

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful book for those working in a private practice. Awesome that the author provided a CD w/a number of his forms for clinicians to use as needed, & they were all provided in both PDF & MS Word formats (which I think is great). The only downside I found is that the information & resources were primarily - though not entirely - targeted for Licensed Psychologists & not for other mental health professionals (like LPCs or Social Workers), which is why I gave it a mediocre rating. When I bought the book online I was under the impression it would be "incredibly helpful" to "anyone in the helping profession" based on the reviews I read, but there were a lot of sections that I (as an LPC-Intern) skipped over w/out giving the content too much attention b/c it applies solely to what a Clinical or Counseling Psychologist is permitted to do in the state I live in, (i.e., formal assessments & testing). Regardless, I'm glad that I bought the book b/c Zuckerman provides a lot of great document templates that I've utilized a few times when I'm creating or updating a form to use in my practice: on several occasions his examples helped me figure out how to word something I couldn't phrase on my own adequately or they'd remind me of information that is important to include yet I somehow had managed to overlook when updating/creating my own documents.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me about 2 years to fully read, mostly because I only read it when at my private practice office! I started reading it before I started getting clients, and it was invaluable in being prepared for treating people in private practice. Filled with forms, legislation, case law, and everything you need to be an ethically practicing private practitioner. Well worth the money and the time.

[Kristin B.]

This book has been the single most helpful book regarding group and private practice. I wish I would have picked this up in the beginning of setting up shop. It's a book I probably won't read cover to cover but will pick through the things relevant to me.

[Melissa Lee-Tammeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a feeling I will like this book much more when I actually get into doing my own stuff instead of someone else's. A great tool for anyone who is planing on working with clients and need some guidance in the best way to handle the paperwork.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must have if you are starting your own practice!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book, and the included CD, almost daily in my private practice. This is an awesome guide and should be recommended to all new therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists.