How to start a private therapy practice
Going out on your own can come with a learning curve, especially if you’re not familiar with the business aspects involved in a private practice.
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How much does a typical therapist make?
5 signs you’re ready for private practice
How to get credentialed with insurance companies
How to market your practice and get more therapy clients
How to write a great bio for your therapy practice
The art of the voicemail script
Social media marketing for therapists
EHR vs. EMR: What’s better for your practice?
What 3 therapists wish they knew before starting their own practice
How many clients do most therapists have?
Part-time vs. full-time practice
8 welcoming therapy office design ideas
How to refer your client to another therapist
What are reciprocity states for therapists?
When to hire billing help as a private practice therapist
10 key tax deductions for self-employed therapists
Why is insurance verification important?
What is provider credentialing in mental health care?
How to evaluate the costs and ROI on an EHR for your practice
How do you implement an EHR system?
The pros and cons of starting a private practice
A comprehensive EHR evaluation checklist
Here’s how to obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certification
7 ways to restore your social fuel when you talk all day, every day
7 tiny ways to build self-care into your day
Therapist burnout: Signs, causes and how to prevent it
5 ways to plan for time off in private practice
5 tips for working from home, from private practice therapists
Student loan forgiveness for mental healthcare providers
A provider's take on battling your own burnout
Continuing education for mental health professionals
CEUs for counselors
CEUs for social workers
Why the 30 minutes after your last telehealth session are so valuable
5 ways to regulate your system after a difficult session
5 ways to make more money as a therapist
How to use a cognitive triangle worksheet with clients
How to use a thought record worksheet with clients
How to use a cognitive distortions worksheet with clients
How to use a core beliefs worksheet with clients
How to use a behavioral activation worksheet with clientsHow to use a cognitive triangle worksheet with clients 
How to use a cognitive restructuring worksheet with clients
How to write a PTSD treatment plan
How to write an adjustment disorder treatment plan
How to write a treatment plan for anxiety
How to write a treatment plan for grief
How to write a treatment plan for stress management
How to write a treatment plan for bipolar disorder
How to write a treatment plan for substance use disorder
9 therapy prompts for quiet clients
5 therapy techniques for trauma
5 person-centered therapy techniques
6 group therapy techniques to try
Here’s what to know about setting SMART goals for therapy
5 therapy techniques for when clients shut down in therapy
7 therapy activities for resistant clients
Clean up your caseload
Tips for conducting successful intake sessions
How to have a successful client discharge (with summary template)
Urgent vs. emergent: Understanding the difference
Annual refresh checklist for therapists
What do therapists have to report, as mandated reporters?
What is a clawback?
Signs a client is “stuck” in therapy—and how to help
What are doorknob confessions?
How to use the Wiley treatment planner
How to structure a therapy session
What is countertransference?
How to have a great 15-minute therapy consultation
5 of the best cognitive behavioral therapy books
When to review and revise your treatment plans
9 therapist referral networks for finding new clients
4 ways to find your niche as a therapist
What to do when a client stops coming to therapy
Patient vs. client: Which term should therapy providers use?
6 common barriers to mental health treatment
The ultimate insurance verification checklist for therapists
What providers need to know about behavioral health equity
How to improve access to mental healthcare as a therapist
Therapist vs. clinician: Which term should you use in documentation?
Compliance — a Headway Guide
What are therapy intake assessments?
How to write a mental health treatment plan
How to write progress notes
The golden thread of therapy documentation
How to write SOAP notes
Writing effective progress notes for family and group therapy sessions
10 insurer requirements commonly missing from notes
How to use the PHQ-9 to assess depression
How to use the GAD-7 for anxiety assessment
How to use the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) assessment
What you need to know about medical necessity in mental health
How to use the PCL-5 to assess PTSD
How to use the WHO-5 to assess wellbeing
Using measurement-based care in therapy
What is a biopsychosocial assessment?
A documentation checklist for prescribing therapists
The 3 things that help therapists finish progress notes faster
How to write client treatment plans quickly and efficiently
The “O” is the hardest part of SOAP notes. Here’s how one therapist tackles it
How to use the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) assessment
How to use the ADNM-8 assessment for adjustment disorder
SOAP vs. DAP notes: Which should you use?
How to write DARP notes
Therapeutic interventions to use in documentation
How to write SIRP notes
Who does HIPAA apply to? Compliance for therapists
How to write GIRP notes
The 10 most common CPT codes (and how to use them)
How to bill insurance for therapy
How to use CPT code 90837
How to use CPT Code 90791
ICD-10 codes for ADHD
ICD-10 codes for depression
ICD-10 codes for anxiety
Billing group psychotherapy with CPT code 90853
The 13 most common psychiatry CPT codes (and how to use them)
What you need to know about behavioral health billing
How to use CPT code 90836
How to use CPT code 99203
How to use E/M codes
Here’s how to find the CPT codes you need
What you need to know about billing for telehealth
How to bill insurance as a prescribing psychiatrist
Your guide to ICD-10 F codes
Differences between CPT codes and HCPCS codes — and why they matterThe 2024 Report: How providers expanded mental health care access in partnership with Headway 
Getting started with Headway in 30 days
Why Headway doesn’t charge a membership fee
Meet Headway's clinical leadership team
Provider Resource Center
Guides to start, grow, and run your practice
Starting a practice
View all resourcesHow to start a private therapy practice
How much does a typical therapist make?
Curious about the average salary of people in your profession? It depends on a few factors.
5 signs you’re ready for private practice
Building a business as a therapist means wearing multiple hats — here’s how to know if you’re cut out for the challenge.
How to get credentialed with insurance companies
Here’s what goes on behind the scenes — and how Headway’s relationships with insurance plans help us get you credentialed faster.
How to market your practice and get more therapy clients
Growing your clientele can be a lot less complicated than you think. All you’ll need is a simple mindset shift and a couple basic strategies that help potential clients find and connect with you.
How to write a great bio for your therapy practice
As a therapist, your superpower is helping other people. So it may feel a little weird to turn the tables and talk about yourself and your accomplishments as you’re building your website, creating social media profiles, and signing up for therapist directories.
The art of the voicemail script
Your voicemail should extend the same warmth and professionalism you convey in person — while ensuring the same privacy and confidentiality someone expects from a therapy session. copy block
Social media marketing for therapists
If you want to optimize your social media profiles and boost your reach, here’s what you need to know to get started.
EHR vs. EMR: What’s better for your practice?
Electronic medical records and electronic health records may sound the same, but there are key differences in how they function.
What 3 therapists wish they knew before starting their own practice
To set yourself up for success, why not learn from people who have gone through the process before you?
How many clients do most therapists have?
How many sessions you can fit into a “full time” practice depends on several important factors, including your own capacity and your clients’ needs.
Part-time vs. full-time practice
Learn the potential downsides of each, according to private practice therapists, before making a decision.
8 welcoming therapy office design ideas
Here’s how to create a space that supports your work and therapeutic relationships.
How to refer your client to another therapist
Here are some ways to tell your client they need a different therapist, plus reasons you might refer a client out.
What are reciprocity states for therapists?
Here’s how reciprocity allows therapists to practice outside the state they’re licensed in.
When to hire billing help as a private practice therapist
Here’s how self-employed providers can find the financial administration support they need.
10 key tax deductions for self-employed therapists
While some deductions seem obvious, you may be missing important ones.
Why is insurance verification important?
Insurance verification can help ensure the process of providing your therapeutic services is as smooth as possible.
What is provider credentialing in mental health care?
The journey of getting credentialed as a provider doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
How to evaluate the costs and ROI on an EHR for your practice
Wondering how much an EHR system costs and if it’s worth the investment? We’ll help you analyze what your practice truly needs.
How do you implement an EHR system?
Follow these steps to ensure success, regardless of if you’re just starting out or if you’re leveling up your practice.
The pros and cons of starting a private practice
Owning your own practice can be rewarding, but it’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks.
A comprehensive EHR evaluation checklist
Are you looking for a new EHR system and feeling overwhelmed? Our list makes the process more seamless.
Here’s how to obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certification
Read our guide covering what you need to know about DEA licenses.
Life as a provider
View all resources7 ways to restore your social fuel when you talk all day, every day
Here’s how you can ensure you bring your best self to your friends and family and your clients.
7 tiny ways to build self-care into your day
Some of the most effective ways of taking care of yourself in a caring profession are small, affordable, and can be built into your work day.
Therapist burnout: Signs, causes and how to prevent it
It’s a common phenomenon in helping professions, but work-related burnout can feel debilitating.
5 ways to plan for time off in private practice
One of the most important ways to practice self-care as a therapist — and provide better support to your clients — is to schedule time off for yourself on a regular basis.
5 tips for working from home, from private practice therapists
Here are some proven ways to set up your work space for successful therapy sessions and maintain work-life balance when you shut down your computer for the day.
Student loan forgiveness for mental healthcare providers
Becoming a licensed therapist involves a lot of work, and a lot of education.
A provider's take on battling your own burnout
If you’re feeling empowered to take your burnout head-on, read on for advice on five ways you can battle burnout as a therapist.
Continuing education for mental health professionals
Acquiring CE credits helps you better serve your clients — and grow your business.
CEUs for counselors
Here’s how to find the continuing education options that are right for you.
CEUs for social workers
One important way to continue offering the best possible care to your client base is to stay current with your continuing education units.
Why the 30 minutes after your last telehealth session are so valuable
Check in with yourself to see how the day has affected you — and take the time you need to recover.
5 ways to regulate your system after a difficult session
Use these therapist coping skills to prevent being at a higher risk for burnout.
5 ways to make more money as a therapist
Whether you want to go full-time with your practice or boost your current income, here’s where to start.
Clinical support
View all resourcesHow to use a cognitive triangle worksheet with clients
Clearly illustrate the relationship between thoughts, emotion, and behavior to help your clients improve their well-being.
How to use a thought record worksheet with clients
Help your clients understand how their negative thoughts affect their emotions and behaviors.
How to use a cognitive distortions worksheet with clients
Together, you can begin to challenge biased, inaccurate, unhelpful (and often irrational) ways of thinking.
How to use a core beliefs worksheet with clients
Inspire your clients to discover the deeply ingrained, fundamental beliefs that shape their automatic thoughts.
How to use a behavioral activation worksheet with clients
Provide a helpful framework for your clients to commit to activities that may help their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
How to use a cognitive triangle worksheet with clients
Clearly illustrate the relationship between thoughts, emotion, and behavior to help your clients improve their well-being.
How to use a cognitive restructuring worksheet with clients
Help your clients become aware of — and replace — thoughts that may be contributing to unwanted emotions and actions.
How to write a PTSD treatment plan
Here’s what you need to know, plus a treatment plan example.
How to write an adjustment disorder treatment plan
These treatment plans aren’t one-size-fits-all, but following a few key steps can ensure you provide the support your clients need.
How to write a treatment plan for anxiety
Here’s what you need to know about treating generalized anxiety disorder, plus a treatment plan example.
How to write a treatment plan for grief
Grief and mourning are highly personal processes that can look different depending on the individual.
How to write a treatment plan for stress management
Stress management counseling techniques can help you hone in on appropriate treatment plan goals.
How to write a treatment plan for bipolar disorder
Here's how to write a treatment plan for bipolar I disorder, plus information about distinguishing between bipolar subtypes.
How to write a treatment plan for substance use disorder
Familiarize yourself with the diagnostic criteria for SUD and the basics of creating a treatment plan for substance use disorder.
9 therapy prompts for quiet clients
Struggling to engage quiet clients in sessions? Here are some ideas to help spark conversation and build trust.
5 therapy techniques for trauma
Trauma can affect clients in any number of ways. Here’s how you can help.
5 person-centered therapy techniques
Here’s what you need to know about person-centered therapy, or Rogerian therapy.
6 group therapy techniques to try
Just as there are many styles of individual therapy, group therapy sessions can be conducted in several different ways.
Here’s what to know about setting SMART goals for therapy
Learn how to create goals to track progress and make the most of your sessions.
5 therapy techniques for when clients shut down in therapy
Learn what to do with our expert techniques to help re-engage and support clients through difficult moments.
7 therapy activities for resistant clients
Here are some common signs of resistance — and what therapy activities you can try to help.
Running a practice
View all resourcesClean up your caseload
Taking the steps to keep your caseload current can be tedious — but it’s important.
Tips for conducting successful intake sessions
Be strategic and ensure you and your potential client have the information you need to start therapy on the right foot.
How to have a successful client discharge (with summary template)
Every discharge situation is different, but a few best practices can help ensure the transition and documentation process is successful.
Urgent vs. emergent: Understanding the difference
It’s your role as a mental health clinician to determine when and how to best support your clients — and when it’s appropriate to refer someone to a higher level of care.
Annual refresh checklist for therapists
Here are 7 of the most important housekeeping tasks to keep on your to-do list as a therapist in private practice.
What do therapists have to report, as mandated reporters?
While you as a therapist have an essential responsibility as a mandated reporter, the process can be challenging to navigate.
What is a clawback?
Learn more about clawbacks and how you can prevent them.
Signs a client is “stuck” in therapy—and how to help
If your client isn’t progressing, even after a long period of time, you may need to change your strategies.
What are doorknob confessions?
These last-minute disclosures can be challenging for therapists to deal with.
How to use the Wiley treatment planner
Wiley PracticePlanners provide customizable, evidence-based treatment goals, objectives, and interventions.
How to structure a therapy session
Learn more about creating a routine that works for you and your clients.
What is countertransference?
Understanding the signs of countertransference is an important way to maintain an effective therapy practice.
How to have a great 15-minute therapy consultation
There’s no official guidebook for this important milestone in the therapy journey, but here’s a start for structuring it.
5 of the best cognitive behavioral therapy books
Add these CBT books to your shelf to support your clients on their mental health journeys.
When to review and revise your treatment plans
Because clients’ needs change over time, your treatment plan will eventually change, too.
9 therapist referral networks for finding new clients
Here’s how to find and schedule more clients using referrals and online directories.
4 ways to find your niche as a therapist
Choosing a speciality can benefit you and your patients. Here’s how to decide which one to pursue.
What to do when a client stops coming to therapy
Most, if not all, therapists experience client dropout at one point or another. Here’s how to handle it.
Patient vs. client: Which term should therapy providers use?
Understanding the nuances between the terms can help you choose the one that best supports your therapeutic work.
6 common barriers to mental health treatment
Learn about helping clients overcome them to make you a better advocate for mental health care for all.
The ultimate insurance verification checklist for therapists
It’s easy to forget the questions you should ask. Our insurance verification checklist — and features — make this process easier.
What providers need to know about behavioral health equity
Here are ideas for providers to help marginalized communities.
How to improve access to mental healthcare as a therapist
Looking for ideas to help in the fight to improve access to mental healthcare? Here’s how to increase accessibility.
Therapist vs. clinician: Which term should you use in documentation?
It can be confusing to know which term providers should use. Read our guide to see what’s right for you.
Compliance and documentation
View all resourcesCompliance — a Headway Guide
Navigating compliance can be time-consuming and stressful. We’re committed to changing that.
What are therapy intake assessments?
The intake assessment is your chance to get a deep understanding of your patient — and maybe connect some elements from their journey that they wouldn’t connect themselves.
How to write a mental health treatment plan
Whenever you want to change the goal of your therapy care, or the path you want to take with the client to reach that goal, you’ll want to document a treatment plan.
How to write progress notes
Progress notes are the core piece of documentation a mental health care provider should write after each session with a client, but it’s more than just a record of what happened in the session.
The golden thread of therapy documentation
The “golden thread” helps connect the dots between your clinical and administrative work.
How to write SOAP notes
Here’s how SOAP notes can help you write better, faster notes — and effectively document your work as a clinician.
Writing effective progress notes for family and group therapy sessions
When it comes to family therapy and group therapy, progress notes can become more complex due to the multiple parties involved.
10 insurer requirements commonly missing from notes
Based on our conversations with insurers, here are 10 of the items most commonly missing from charting documentation, including examples of what it takes to meet the requirements for each.
How to use the PHQ-9 to assess depression
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 helps screen for, diagnose, and track progress with depression.
How to use the GAD-7 for anxiety assessment
The GAD-7 can help you narrow down a diagnosis if your client is experiencing anxiety symptoms, along with allowing you to track their progress over time.
How to use the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) assessment
Learn more about the ISI assessment and how you can incorporate it into your practice.
What you need to know about medical necessity in mental health
Here’s what you need to know about medical necessity — like how to make sure your 90837 and 99205 notes are compliant.
How to use the PCL-5 to assess PTSD
Learn more about the PCL-5 assessment and how you can incorporate it into your practice.
How to use the WHO-5 to assess wellbeing
Learn more about the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index and how you can use it in your practice.
Using measurement-based care in therapy
Administering assessments to diagnose and treat symptoms can provide a picture of how your client is doing over time.
What is a biopsychosocial assessment?
Biopsychosocial assessments allow therapists to understand the most important components affecting clients’ mental health symptoms.
A documentation checklist for prescribing therapists
Here are the documentation and notes requirements you’ll want to remember as a prescribing mental health provider.
The 3 things that help therapists finish progress notes faster
Learn more about how you can boost your efficiency with documentation.
How to write client treatment plans quickly and efficiently
These tips from therapists can help you stay focused.
The “O” is the hardest part of SOAP notes. Here’s how one therapist tackles it
You can make writing the “objective” section of SOAP notes even easier.
How to use the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) assessment
Learn more about the IES-R assessment and how you can incorporate it into your practice.
How to use the ADNM-8 assessment for adjustment disorder
Learn more about the ADNM-8 assessment and how you can incorporate it into your practice.
SOAP vs. DAP notes: Which should you use?
Here’s how to decide which progress note-taking style is right for you.
How to write DARP notes
Learn more about DARP notes and how you can incorporate them into your therapy practice.
Therapeutic interventions to use in documentation
Here are some precise language examples and effective techniques for improving therapy progress notes.
How to write SIRP notes
SIRP notes are concise yet thorough, allowing therapists to make detailed assessments of their clients.
Who does HIPAA apply to? Compliance for therapists
Unsure if HIPAA applies to you? Our guide helps clarify compliance expectations.
How to write GIRP notes
GIRP notes are a format for therapy progress notes. These examples can help you effectively document your work as a clinician.
Billing and coding
View all resourcesThe 10 most common CPT codes (and how to use them)
Understand the ins and outs of CPT codes to help make documentation and billing more efficient — and give you more time to focus on other areas of your practice.
How to bill insurance for therapy
Headway strives to simplify billing insurance so you can focus on providing care. Read our comprehensive guide to mental health billing.
How to use CPT code 90837
The 90837 CPT code is often understood to be the standard of a therapy session among providers. However, insurers have a tendency to flag 90837 more frequently than other codes.
How to use CPT Code 90791
Code 90791 is officially deemed a “diagnostic evaluation,” but you might know it better as an initial assessment. It typically happens in your first session with a client.
ICD-10 codes for ADHD
A client presenting the symptoms of ADHD will most commonly be diagnosed with a specifier code that provides detail about how their symptoms present.
ICD-10 codes for depression
Here are some of the most common ICD-10 codes associated with depressive symptoms, with different criteria for frequency, severity, and other features.
ICD-10 codes for anxiety
There are many ICD-10 codes associated with anxiety disorders. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is most common, but there may be a more precise code that documents your diagnosis more effectively.
Billing group psychotherapy with CPT code 90853
Here’s how to properly document and bill group therapy sessions.
The 13 most common psychiatry CPT codes (and how to use them)
Understand the ins and outs of CPT codes to help make documentation and billing more efficient — and give you more time to focus on other areas of your practice.
What you need to know about behavioral health billing
With the right tools and resources, billing can become second nature.
How to use CPT code 90836
Code 90836 represents an add-on for 38-52 minutes of psychotherapy with an E/M code.
How to use CPT code 99203
CPT code 99202 represents a new patient appointment that’s at least 15 minutes in duration.
How to use E/M codes
Within behavioral health, billing and documentation for E/M codes can sometimes be confusing.
Here’s how to find the CPT codes you need
CPT codes can seem complex at first, but they simplify the process of coding and billing.
What you need to know about billing for telehealth
Here's how to bill for telehealth appointments, which CPT codes to use, and more.
How to bill insurance as a prescribing psychiatrist
Here’s our guide for billing insurance as a prescriber while avoiding common mistakes and streamlining the process.
Your guide to ICD-10 F codes
Learn more about how to use ICD-10 F codes for mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Differences between CPT codes and HCPCS codes — and why they matter
Learn the key differences, structure, and when to use each for accurate billing and insurance claims.
About Headway
View all resourcesThe 2024 Report: How providers expanded mental health care access in partnership with Headway
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re overwhelmed with gratitude for our provider network: you! Together, we’ve made meaningful strides in transforming mental health care. Here’s how...
Getting started with Headway in 30 days
If the journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step, then the journey to starting or streamlining your insurance practice begins with a single call.
Why Headway doesn’t charge a membership fee
Our vast network of providers like you makes it possible to secure better rates for everyone — without charging a membership fee to use our platform.
Meet Headway's clinical leadership team
Headway’s clinical team helps to build systems and processes that empower clinicians and their practices while offering high-quality clinical guidance.
