3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Effective Documentation and Record-Keeping for Psychologists: Ethical, Legal, Risk Management, and Clinical Perspectives is presented by Jeffrey E. Barnett, PsyD, ABPP in partnership with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

This on-demand professional training program explains the goals and potential benefits of effective clinical documentation as well as the ethical and legal requirements for doing so. Documentation is addressed from a clinical and risk management perspective. Specific recommendations are made for how to document the clinical services provided in a competent and effective manner.

Additionally, common pitfalls to avoid are addressed. How to store and maintain records is addressed for both paper and electronic records. Precautions to take to protect and preserve records are described in detail, along with how and when to dispose of them. Guidance is provided for following HIPAA and other laws and regulations relevant to documentation and record-keeping.

Participants in this program receive practical guidance that can be integrated into daily practice to document more effectively, to better achieve the goals of thoughtfully created treatment records, and to meet and exceed professional standards and practice guidelines relevant to documentation and record-keeping.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the goals of documentation
  • 2 Describe the elements of effective documentation
  • 3 Describe how effective documentation is a risk management strategy
  • 4 Describe steps to take to protect electronic health records

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health professionals who wish to enhance their clinical documentation skills, with a focus on ethical, legal, statutory, and regulatory standards that influence psychological practice, education, and research. The program emphasizes record-keeping requirements, risk management, and compliance with current professional guidelines, providing a comprehensive understanding of documentation practices and professional standards. The training does not address the direct application of psychological assessment or intervention methods, but rather the broader context of documentation and record-keeping in mental health fields.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Clinical Psychologists
    • Counselors
    • Social Workers
    • Psychotherapists
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • School Psychologists
    • Case Managers
    • Behavioral Health Specialists

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with clinical documentation and record-keeping.

    • Beginner: Participants new to clinical documentation or unfamiliar with ethical, legal, and risk management requirements will gain foundational knowledge and practical skills for effective record-keeping.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in documentation will deepen their understanding of best practices, refine their skills, and learn strategies to avoid common pitfalls and enhance compliance with professional standards.

    • Advanced: Participants with extensive experience in clinical documentation and record-keeping will have the opportunity to update their knowledge on current laws and regulations, further strengthen risk management strategies, and integrate advanced practices into their daily work.

  • Practice Setting

    This program suits practitioners working in diverse clinical and organizational environments where accurate, compliant documentation under ethical, legal, and regulatory standards is essential. These settings prioritize secure paper/electronic records, risk management, and adherence to HIPAA and agency policies within daily workflows.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private and group practices
    • Outpatient clinics
    • Community mental health centers
    • Hospitals/behavioral health units
    • Integrated primary care settings
    • School/university counseling centers
    • Telehealth/virtual care
    • Correctional/forensic programs
Presented By

Jeffrey E. Barnett, PsyD, ABPP

Jeffrey E. Barnett, Psy.D., ABPP is a licensed psychologist and is board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology and in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Additionally, he is a Distinguished Practitioner in Psychology of the National Academies of Practice. He also is a Professor of Psychology at Loyola University Maryland. He is a nationally recognized expert in professional ethics issues for mental health professionals and has served as chair of the ethics committees of the Maryland Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Board of Professional Psychology. He also has served as the Vice Chair of the Maryland Psychology Licensing Board. Dr. Barnett has numerous publications to include 13 books and over 250 articles and book chapters and over 300 professional presentations that focus on ethics, legal, and professional practice issues for mental health professionals. Among his many awards he is a recipient of the American Psychological Association’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Ethics Education and the ABPP award for Distinguished Service and Contributions to the Profession of Psychology.

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Goals and Benefits of Effective Clinical Documentation
    -Clinical, ethical, legal, and risk management perspectives

  • Standards and Requirements
    -Ethical and legal obligations
    -Relevant laws and regulations, including HIPAA

  • Best Practices for Documentation
    -How to document services competently and effectively
    -Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Record Storage and Maintenance
    -Procedures for both paper and electronic records
    -Protection and preservation of records
    -Guidelines for appropriate disposal

  • Integrating Practices into Daily Work
    -Practical guidance to enhance clinical documentation
    -Strategies to meet and exceed professional standards

We are proud to partner with

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

<center>American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

We are proud to partner with The American Board of Professional Psychology for this training. The American Board of Professional Psychology serves the public by promoting the provision of quality psychological services through the examination and certification of professional psychologists engaged in specialty practice. ABPP is the primary organization for Specialty Board Certification in Psychology. There are currently 15 Specialty Boards and one Subspecialty Board.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 


  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, 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-0073.