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Digital Seminar

Ethical Documentation for Clinical Social Workers

3-Hour Workshop on Writing Clear, Compliant Clinical Records

Speaker:
Jessie Timmons, LCSW
Duration:
3.25 Hours
Copyright:
May 15, 2026
Product Code:
POS150700
Media Type:
Digital Seminar - Also available: Live Webinar

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Description

  • What to write, how much to write, and more
  • Turn vague documentation rules into clear, actionable guidance
  • Get real templates and language for documenting
  • Case examples that show what good (and bad) documentation looks like

Your documentation can protect you – or expose you.

Every note you write creates a legal and ethical record. It can defend your clinical judgment in an audit, support continuity of care when a client transfers, or become evidence in a complaint or lawsuit.

But here’s the problem: most social workers were never actually taught how to document well … and when you’re sitting down to write a note, questions creep in:

  • Am I writing too much? Too little?
  • What if this gets subpoenaed?
  • What’s required vs. what’s recommended?
  • What do I do if I think I made a mistake?

This 3-hour training removes the guesswork.

You’ll join Jessie Timmons, LCSW. She’s a former president of the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work with over 15 years of clinical, supervisory, and teaching experience who’s worked at Temple University, Albert Einstein Medical Center, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

She’ll show what to document, how to document it, and how to make your notes work for you – protecting your clients, your practice, and your license.

This training is essential for clinical social workers of any experience level and in any setting – private practice, agencies, hospitals, schools, or community mental health.

Don’t wait until you’re facing an audit, complaint, or legal challenge to wish you’d learned this.

Register now!

Credit


* Credit Note - Self-Study CE Information Coming Soon

Continuing education credit information is coming soon for this non-interactive self-study package.

CE hours may be available for select professions, as listed in the target audience. Hours will be dependent on the actual recording time. Please check with your state licensing board or organization for specific requirements. 

There may be an additional fee for CE certificates. Please contact our Customer Service at 1-800-844-8260 for more details. 

**Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your professions standards.



Speaker

Jessie Timmons, LCSW's Profile

Jessie Timmons, LCSW Related seminars and products


Jessie Timmons, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker with over 17 years of experience in clinical practice, supervision, and social work education. She is a past president of the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work and former adjunct professor at Temple University’s School of Social Work.

Her clinical experience spans private practice, community mental health, and hospital-based settings, giving her a comprehensive understanding of documentation requirements across contexts. Jessie specializes in substance use treatment, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, and trauma-informed care. She is passionate about supporting social workers in developing the practical skills and ethical frameworks they need to practice with confidence and integrity.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Jessie Timmons maintains a private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jessie Timmons has no relevant non-financial relationships.

 

 


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info


Objectives

  1. Identify ethical standards from the NASW Code of Ethics to guide documentation decisions in clinical practice.
  2. Identify essential elements that must be included in every clinical note.
  3. Examine documentation challenges related to client privacy, confidentiality, and privileged communication.

Outline

Foundations of Ethical and Legal Documentation

  • Overview of NASW Code of Ethics related to documentation
  • HIPAA, state regulations, and licensing board expectations
  • Legal and regulatory requirements for record-keeping
  • The role of documentation in continuity of care
  • Risks, research and limitations

Practical Strategies for Effective Documentation

  • Structure notes for clarity, accuracy, and compliance
  • Essential elements every note must include
  • Documentation in private practice vs. agency settings
  • Use templates, progress notes, and treatment plans ethically
  • Case vignettes – real-world examples of documentation mistakes
  • Documentation strategies for challenging clinical scenarios
    • Suicidality, safety concerns, and mandated reporting
    • Termination, boundary issues, client threats

Apply Ethics and Critical Thinking to Documentation

  • How your notes reflect (and support) your clinical reasoning
  • Document consultation and ethical dilemmas
  • Use documentation to support client care and risk management
  • What NOT to do when you realize you made a mistake

Target Audience

  • Social Workers

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