Confidence under scrutiny
Learn how to write notes you can stand behind, whether they’re read in supervision, by a client, or in court.
Clarity without over-noting
Understand exactly what belongs in your records (and what doesn’t) so your notes stay clear, concise, and professional.
Ethical and legal alignment
Walk away knowing your documentation practices meet professional standards and protect both you and your clients.
What You’ll Learn: Confidence in your notes
By the end of this course, you’ll know how to: • Apply ethical and regulatory standards (BCACC, CRPO, BCCSW, CCPA) to your notes. • Write clear, objective, and defensible records without losing your therapeutic voice. • Know what to include, and what to leave out, across different contexts. • Respond with confidence to subpoenas, lawyer requests, and release of records. • Protect your clients, yourself, and your profession with documentation you can stand behind.
About the Creators
Becky Palmer, RCC, is a clinical director and counsellor with a depth of experience in ethical decision-making and trauma-informed care. Betti White, JD, is a family lawyer with experience in how counselling notes are used in court. Together, they bridge the clinical and legal worlds to give you clear, practical tools for writing notes that protect both you and your clients.
Course Outline
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1
Introduction: Why Notes Matter More Than Ever
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(Included in full purchase)
Welcome + Introduction
- Course Learning Objectives Free preview
- The Triple Lens: Clinical • Ethical • Legal Free preview
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(Included in full purchase)
The Real-World Stakes: From Client Care to Court Cases
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(Included in full purchase)
Mini Quiz: Myth, Misunderstanding or True
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Common Myths and Misunderstandings About Notes: Mini Quiz Discussion
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(Included in full purchase)
Downloadable Resource: Note-Keeping Quick Reference Sheet
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(Included in full purchase)
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2
Ethical & Regulatory Foundations
- 📝 Survey: What’s Your Current Note-Taking Style, and Why? Free preview
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(Included in full purchase)
Documentation Standards Overview (BCACC, BCCSW, CCPA, CRPO)
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(Included in full purchase)
Ethical Principles: Objectivity, Client Dignity, and Informed Consent
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(Included in full purchase)
Confidentiality Limits in the Context of Written Records
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(Included in full purchase)
“Notes for Me” vs. “Notes for the Record” : Where to Draw the Line
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(Included in full purchase)
Notes for the Record and Notes for Me Template
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3
Clinical Accuracy Meets Legal Defensibility (Betti)
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(Included in full purchase)
What Makes Chart Notes Legally “Defensible”
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Objective vs. Subjective Statements and How To Phrase Each
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(Included in full purchase)
Avoiding Speculation, Labels, and Bias
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(Included in full purchase)
Writing for Clarity When your Reader May Be a Judge, Lawyer, or Insurance Provider
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Case Example: A Note Re-read in Court vs. in Ethics Board (Becky and Betti)
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4
Structuring Your Notes for Different Contexts
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(Included in full purchase)
Pros and Con of Documentation Formats (SOAP, DAP, Narrative, Etc.)
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(Included in full purchase)
Integrating Treatment Plans, Progress Measures, and Interventions
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Managing High-Risk Content (Suicide Risk, Harm Disclosure)
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(Included in full purchase)
When Brevity Works, When Detail is Essential
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Subpoena-Safe Note Structure
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5
When the Legal System Knocks (Betti)
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(Included in full purchase)
Understanding Subpoenas, Court Orders, and Requests for Records
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(Included in full purchase)
The Difference Between “Must Release” vs. “May Release”
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Lawyer Correspondence: Tone, Timelines, and Boundaries
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Sample scripts: Responding to a Lawyer Request
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(Included in full purchase)
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6
Documentation as an Ongoing Practice
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(Included in full purchase)
Building Documentation Into Your Workflow
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Consultation and Supervision for Tricky Cases
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Learning From Past Legal Experiences Without Over-noting
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(Included in full purchase)
When to Write an Addendum
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(Included in full purchase)
Release of Records Protocol and Best Practices
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(Included in full purchase)
Checklist: Daily & Weekly Note-Keeping Habits
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(Included in full purchase)
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7
Wrap-Up & Resources
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Key Takeaways from Becky & Betti
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Final Q&A Prompts for Self-study
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• CE Quiz for Certificate
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Resource List: Ethics Codes, Legal References, Templates
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A Very Short Survey
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CE Credits: Instructions for certificate, self-reflection question, and CE logging
- MORE Ethics & Law CE Courses with Becky+Betti Free preview
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(Included in full purchase)
This course will take you about 2 hours to work through and earn you -2 ethics CE credits-
*The course outline may be refined as we develop content, but this gives you the overall structure and content.
What People Are Saying
For now, these testimonials are based on the parts of the course I've shared internally in my group practice. More coming soon as the course is released and experienced- Becky
I’ve been counselling for 15+ years and honestly I thought I had notes figured out but was worried I had some bad habits or was missing something important. But seeing it laid it out this way made me realize I was overcomplicating things. Now my notes are actually shorter AND stronger, and take less time!
-BC group practice
I feel like documentation advice is always broad and overwhelming. But this felt down to earth and real, like Becky was in the room with us. Betti’s legal side was an eye opener too, I never knew how much wording could matter in court.
-BC group practice
I really liked how practical of a teacher Becky is. Not just theory, but what to actually write down (and what not to). Especially when clients bring high risk stuff. My confidence in note keeping has gone up a lot.
-BC group practice
As a newer counsellor I always worried I’d get it wrong if my notes were ever looked at by a lawyer or even the client. I didn't realize how often records are requested. I still have more to learn, but I don’t feel panicked every time I sit down to write now. That’s huge for me. Thanks guys!
-BC Group Practice
The bottom Line...
Your notes don’t need to be perfect. They need to be clear, ethical, and defensible. This course will show you how to gain confidence in your skills. Pre-order now and save 15% Course releases October 2025 Use promo code: PREORDERDOC15 at checkout.
$155.00
FAQ
Is this course tax-deductible? Yes! Most therapists can write off continuing education as a business or professional development expense. That means the true cost to you is often much lower. Will I get a certificate for my regulatory college or association? Yes! You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion with clear learning objectives, CE hours, and relevant ethical standards noted and ready to submit to BCACC, CCPA, BCCSW, etc. How is this different from other ethics trainings? We made the course we wished existed: relatable, case-based, and useful. You’ll leave with tools, and insights you can use in your next ethically sticky moment. No ivory tower theory, just grounded support from two practitioners who get it.
Disclaimer
This course is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, clinical advice, or formal supervision. Participation in this course does not create a supervisory, clinical, or legal relationship. For matters requiring legal counsel, clinical judgment, or professional supervision, participants are encouraged to consult a qualified lawyer, clinical supervisor, or regulatory body. We are not affiliated with any regulatory college, association, or governing body. The views expressed in this course are solely our own and reflect our personal and professional perspectives. While we aim to align with ethical best practices, participants should always refer to their own professional standards, codes of ethics, and licensing requirements when applying course content to their work.