5 Common Documentation Mistakes (And What to Write Instead)

Documentation can feel overwhelming when you're first starting out. If you've ever stared at a blank progress note wondering what to include (or worried that your notes aren't "clinical enough"), you're not alone.

This free guide walks through five of the most common documentation mistakes newer therapists make and offers practical, actionable strategies to help you write clearer, more clinically meaningful notes.

Inside, you'll learn:

• Why these common mistakes happen
• Why they matter clinically
• What to do instead
• Real documentation examples
• Reflection questions to help strengthen your clinical thinking

Whether you're a student, intern, associate therapist, or simply looking to feel more confident with documentation, this guide is designed to give you strategies you can apply immediately.

If you find it helpful, be sure to check out The Clinical Phrase Book: a comprehensive guide with over 600 adaptable documentation phrases covering client presentation, symptoms, interventions, client responses, progress, risk assessment, tricky situations, and more.