Now I think this is great, Stormy. It is a more person-centered approach. When I was the case manager (QP) for the group homes at the company I'm now trying to expand to provide more services, any client could read anything they wanted in that 500 page chart or have someone read it to him/her. In our Supported Employment program, the client sees most of the info from VR and they are certainly not restricted from seeing notes.

What do you think of this? My T said that in her circle of therapist contacts and CE trainings that she has been through, it has been said that it is unethical for a client to see his/her own therapy notes. She said she didn't understand it, but it seemed to be the prevalent theory in our area. Most mental health providers I know in our area (although I can't speak much for therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists in private practice) are trying to be more person-centered and transparent.

My T told me she used to write her notes giving her own opinion and the stated opinions of the client, but she was told, "Stick to the facts only." In fact, in a recent training I attended, we were told to go with Sgt. Joe Friday's phrase, "Just the facts, ma'am," when writing notes or PCP's.

The world of mental health is paradoxical and juxtaposed. I hope you are in private practice (but then you have to deal with insurance companies). There are pros and cons to everything! Thanks for your unique perspective as a therapist and a client!