Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What are "psychotherapy notes" considered as?

1. Notes shared with other professionals

2. Personal notes about a session

3. Clinical records available for review

4. Documents required by law to be disclosed

The correct answer is: Personal notes about a session

"Psychotherapy notes" are considered personal notes about a session that a therapist keeps for their own use. These notes are distinct from other forms of documentation such as clinical records or progress notes, which are often shared with other professionals or used for treatment purposes. The key aspect of psychotherapy notes is their confidentiality and the fact that they are meant to capture the therapist's thoughts and reflections about the therapeutic process, not to convey information intended for communication with other professionals or for legal compliance. They are not typically available for patient review or accessible through routine patient record requests, making them a unique category of protected health information under the law. This special classification is crucial as it allows therapists to maintain their personal reflections and observations without the pressure of those notes being scrutinized or misinterpreted by clients or third parties. Understanding this distinction is vital for both practitioners and clients when discussing confidentiality and the nature of therapeutic documentation.