Clinical Documentation: The Importance of the Golden Thread: From the Initial Assessment, Treatment Plan, to the Case Notes

Documentation is an important piece of the social services field. From the initial assessment, to treatment planning, to session notes, to intermittent assessments, and discharge planning. All of the information written into the client’s case file are needed documentation to be paid by third parties. Third parties have the right, and so state, when one is credentialed, to have the provider pay back monies if they determine the documentation does not fit their standards. This course will work with the participant to write the best assessments, treatment plans, and document intermittent assessments, by using “The Golden Thread” technique. The participant will learn this technique from meeting the client to the graduation from therapy for the client.

Educational Objectives

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of gathering and reviewing documentation leading up to treatment plans.
• Understand the medical necessity and establishing the need for treatment.
• Implement “The Golden Thread”
• Link to the assessment and defined needs.
• Describe essential elements of effective treatment plans, goals, objectives, and interventions
• Illustrate best practices using examples.

Available Continuing Education: 6 Hours

• CHES-Certified Heath Education Specialist
• CPH-Certified Public Health
• DMH-Addiction Therapist
• DMH-Licensed Administrator 
• DMH-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Therapist
• DMH-Mental Health Therapist
• MAAP-Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals
• NBCC-National Board for Certified Counselors
• SW-Social Work