Beautiful and intelligent. Two words that described my people. Two words that would describe our descendants. Two words that would place me as a target in one of the most complex wars of all time. The way I figured it, the only way any side would win, would be by deceiving me, distracting me, and throwing me into well planned situations, that would leave me feeling lost... and unnerved. As to who was the final victor-unto whose lap I was thrown upon-I may truly never know. This is my story. A story of how I became a piece of a puzzle, and of how people decided my life's path for me.

Aimed at the registered nurse, this handbook addresses the important but oft-neglected subject of record keeping and provides concise, relevant information on ways to improve and maintain standards within the health care institution.

Record Keeping in Psychotherapy and Counseling provides an essential framework for understanding record keeping within legal, ethical, supervisory, and clinical contexts. Compelling case examples identify dilemmas and strategies in protecting confidentiality. More than a simple reference book, this text introduces the concept of using records as therapeutic tools to strengthen the therapeutic relationship and facilitate clinical supervision. Appendices and an accompanying CD offer sample forms. A reader-friendly style makes this new edition appropriate for undergraduate and graduate students. New material on electronic records, the impact of electronic communication, and practitioners’ experiences with implementing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act bring this book up to date. Everyone from students to seasoned practitioners will continue to rely on it for protecting themselves, their patients, and their trainees.

'This is an excellent book...Those involved in writing agency policy as well as therapists working within these structures and independently should view this as a mainstay of their reference library. Trainers and supervisors will also find it invaluable' - Therapy Today Journal, December 2008 `This book is an original, insightful, comprehensive and practical guide for all working in the field...a must read for any counsellor or psychotherapist or anybody else working in the field of psychological therapies' - Professor Cary L. Cooper, CBE, President of BACP `There are few legal issues as important to clients and their therapists as confidentiality and record keeping. This book is essential reading for all counsellors and psychotherapists' - Esther Rantzen, Chair & Founder of Childline and Vice President of BACP Confidentiality is an essential condition of counselling and psychotherapy that enables clients to talk honestly and openly about their situation. As a core aspect of everyday practice, therapists need to understand both the legal and ethical implications of providing confidentiality and of keeping records concerning their clients. Confidentiality and Record Keeping in Counselling and Psychotherapy provides a practical introduction to the topic, containing guidance on: - why and how records should be kept - how to balance therapeutic benefits from keeping records with potential legal ramifications - confidentiality agreements with clients in a variety of therapeutic settings - confidentiality in training and supervision.

This indispensible text is your students′ first point of reference when faced with a situation or dilemma of a legal nature regarding record keeping or confidentiality issues. Reflecting changes in policy and law and developments in practice since its last publication in 2008, this new edition has been expanded into 14 new and thoroughly revised chapters. New content includes: - The latest Data Protection Act guidance including data protection implications when working with technology and for online therapy - Greater content on sharing information, including sharing information in supervision, training, research, audit and, crucially, across professions - Expanded content on mental capacity with separate chapters for children and vulnerable adults - A new chapter on pre-trial therapy with adults and children, including Special Measures, Crown Prosecution Service guidance and victim support - A new chapter on practice dilemmas, providing advice and encouraging further discussion and reflection - The role of supervision and of the supervisor Using reflective questions, sample dilemmas and case scenarios throughout, the authors illustrate how to practically address the difficult confidentiality and record keeping issues that therapists regularly face. Current legal guidelines and frameworks are interspersed throughout the book which, along with revised disclosure checklists and links to useful organisations and contacts, ensure trainee and practising therapists are well versed in current best-practice.