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 designed for mental health professionals seeking to strengthen their clinical documentation skills across all experience levels. The program emphasizes ethical, legal, statutory, and regulatory standards that influence psychological practice, education, and research. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of record-keeping requirements and risk management, ensuring compliance with current professional guidelines. The training does not focus on the direct application of psychological assessment or intervention methods, but rather on the broader context of documentation and professional standards.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Clinical psychologists

    • Counselors

    • Social workers

    • Other mental health professionals in related fields

Presented By

Jeffrey E. Barnett, Psy.D., ABPP, Professor of Psychology at Loyola University Maryland

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.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jeffrey E.  Barnett, Psy.D., ABPP

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)

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.

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.