Today did not start off as a productive day. I took my time getting out of bed. And then made some coffee and spent 2 hours sitting at the table putting a puzzle together (I still have a ways to go). Once I finally sat down at my desk, I was able to focus on the worst part of my job…paperwork.

As a therapist, there is an unending amount of paperwork that needs to be done so insurance will pay you. There is the initial assessment that includes everything about a new client’s past and present history and symptoms in which you have to diagnose them with something and justify that diagnosis. Then you create a treatment plan with 2-3 long and short SMART goals with 2-4 interventions. Each session, there are progress notes, including no-show or late cancel appointment notes. After 6 months, you can get to review whether the client is benefitting from therapy and what modalities are most useful to the client. And you get to revisit and rewrite the treatment plan. It is all a bit overwhelming.

Paperwork in any of my careers/jobs has always been my least favorite, which is odd because I actually do like to write. I guess I just don’t like to write in a specific way. Looking back on that detail, I am incredibly glad that I didn’t go to law school as it seems that is all lawyers (at least associates that I worked with) do all day. I understand the benefits of documenting services, however, I just wish there was a more efficient way to get it done.