Therapy Writing

• Every client's notes in one place, in order, instead of spread across notebooks and files.
• A consistent structure for every note, so nothing important gets missed.
• Notes save automatically as you type, so you do not lose work if you close the tab.

• The client exists in PsychDesk. Notes are saved into a client's folder, so add the client first. See the Bookings guide for registering a client.
• Pick the note format you normally use. PsychDesk offers seven; see the table below.

Click Therapy Writing in the left-hand menu.

The page has three parts.

Your Notes (left)

• A list of folders. Click the arrow beside a folder to open it and see its notes.
• The number beside each folder is how many notes it holds.
• Filter notes finds a note by its name.
• The two icons at the top create a New Folder and a New Note.

The editor (middle)

• The note title at the top. Click it to rename the note.
• A line showing the folder, the date, the word count, and Auto-saved once your changes are stored.
• A formatting toolbar: undo and redo, headings, font, line spacing, lists, quote, tables, images, Import, bold, italic and more.
• Templates, PDF and Save buttons.

Note Templates (right)

Opens when you click Templates. Close it with × to give the editor more room.

Click a template to insert its headings and prompts into the current note.

Things to know:

• Inserting a template replaces the note's title with the template name. Rename the note afterwards.
• Insert the template before you start writing, since it is added to the note body.
• The prompts, such as "Client reports mood as...", are there to guide you. Write your notes after them, or delete them.

1. Create a folder for the client (once per client)

1. 1
   Click the New Folder icon at the top of Your Notes. A folder called "Untitled Folder" appears.
2. 2
   Right-click the folder and choose Rename.
3. 3
   Type the client's name and press Enter.

2. Start a note in their folder

1. 1
   Right-click the client's folder.
2. 2
   Choose New Note.

The editor opens with the folder name shown above the title.

3. Add a template and write

1. 1
   Click Templates and choose a format, for example SOAP Note.
2. 2
   Click the title and rename the note, for example "Session 1 - SOAP Note".
3. 3
   Write your notes under each heading.

4. Save it to the client's folder

1. 1
   Click Save.
2. 2
   Choose Save for Client. Choose Save for Self instead for personal notes that do not belong to a client.

1. 3
   Search for the client, click their name so it shows a tick, and click Save to Folder.

The note now appears under the client's folder with its date, and the folder count goes up by one.

Right-click any folder to:

• New Note: start a note inside it.
• Add to Favorites: keep it easy to find.
• Rename: change the folder name.
• Delete: remove the folder. Check what is inside first.

A My First Folder is created for you. You can rename it or use it for your own notes.

• PDF: download the note as a PDF, for example to share with a supervisor.
• Import: bring in text from an existing document.
• Insert Image and Table options: add a diagram or a table, such as a mood tracker.
• Hide Notes Panel (the icon left of the folder name): hides the folder list to give you a larger writing space.

• Notes contain some of the most sensitive information you hold. Do not leave a note open on a shared screen.
• Only download a PDF when you need one, and delete the downloaded copy once it has been shared.
• Keep to the minimum needed for clinical care. Clients may be able to request access to their records.

1. 1
   Open the client's folder in Your Notes.
2. 2
   Confirm the note is listed with today's date.
3. 3
   Click it and check the content is all there.

• Share worksheets and exercises with clients: see the Therapy Worksheet guide.
• Track follow-up tasks after a session: see the Follow Up guide.