Private Practice Paperwork –> Essential Forms for Your Counseling Practice
The Forms Therapists Need to Open a Therapy Practice
Knowing which forms you need for your counseling practice can feel overwhelming. However, having the proper forms on hand is an essential part of running a successful psychotherapy practice.
In order to open a private-pay (out of network) private practice, you will absolutely need the following forms:
- Mandatory Private Practice Forms and Documentation
- Practice Policies & General Information, Agreement for
- Psychotherapy Services or Informed Consent for Psychotherapy
- Informed Consents
- HIPAA Forms
- Release of Information form
- Superbills and Statements
- Intake Forms
- Good Faith Estimate
- Financial Agreement
Private Practice Forms that are nice to have but not mandatory:
- Social Media Policy
- Termination Summary
- Telehealth Disclosure – Telemedicine Informed Consent
- Therapy via Phone, Text or Email
- Treatment of Minors Policy
- Group Therapy Policies
- Online Group Therapy Policies
- Coaching Informed Consent
- Consent for Treatment of Minors & Others
- Responsibility to Pay for Sessions
- Treatment Plan-Initial
- Updated – Treatment Plan
- Professional Will
- Consent to Record or Videotape Training Session
How to find private practice counseling forms:
There are two reliable ways to find low-cost private practice forms.
First, most state professional organizations (such as CAMFT or AAMFT) provide their members with free copies of the forms that are applicable to the licenses in their state (ex LMFT, LPCC, LCSW). Before purchasing forms, consider reaching out to your state professional organization to see if they have any free templates.
Second, you can use the customizable forms on SimplePractice. SimplePractice has an entire library of free intake forms, progress notes, and private practice policy forms that you can edit based on the needs of your private therapy practice.
Similarly, The Private Practice Pro offers an Essential Paperwork Packet, which consists of seven private practice forms designed to be modified according to your personal and professional needs, as well as your state laws and regulations.
This article was written by Kelley Stevens, LMFT. Kelley is a private practice business coach for therapists. Kelley specializes in helping therapists launch a cash-pay private practice from the ground up.
