Couple's Therapy

Many clinicians will create two patient charts, one for each member of the couple. This allows them to track personalized goals separately, while also listing their convergent goals. When you select this option, you can group the two charts on the group list tab. Click add new group, it will open a new box. In the box most clinicians will enter a group name like "Jones Couple" to indicate the members. Then click edit membership and add the members of the couple. When you are writing most progress notes you can then navigate from the group list to the progress note which will place a copy of the one note in both members charts. With this set up you then would have the option to add personalized notes to either individual's file regarding their specific presentation, goals, or progress. This method also allows private sessions if they are deemed appropriate.

Other clinicians work exclusively on coupled goals. They will not meet individually with members of the couple. These therapists will often create one patient chart using the first name field for "Couple" or "Marital" or another signifier and the last name for the last name of the couple. They will use the contact fields to record the members of the couple's contact and personal information. This means that there is only one treatment plan and intake that treats the couple as a single organism with united goals. The charting then is similar to an individual patient where the patient is selected from the list and one progress note is made that addresses any clinical interactions.