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Now offering in-person (NJ) and virtual appointments (NJ & PA)

Psychotherapist:  For over 30 years, Leslie has been providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults and empowering them to make positive changes in their lives.   Through a collaborative process, you will gain valuable and practical tools to help you cope with life's stressors, achieve your goals and improve your overall health and well-being. Find out more. 

 

Private Practice Building Consultant, Educator and Trainer:  As New Jersey’s premier ethics and private practice building consultant, Leslie offers a wide range of services for mental health practitioners focused on enhancing clinical skills, incorporating traditional business methods and minimizing malpractice risk.

Thinking of starting a private practice? Want to shore up an existing practice? Need help understanding what forms, consents and policies are required? With so much conflicting information out there, clinicians need someone who understands the clinical, ethical, practical, business related and legal aspects of starting and running a successful, fulfilling and ethically sound private practice.  

Leslie provides one-on-one and group consultations in order to help you launch your ideal practice and sells forms, templates and guidelines to ensure compliance with ethical guidelines, legal and 3rd party reimbursement requirements and best practice standards. Take your next step!

Leslie offers a series of clinical and ethics continuing education workshops approved by the ASWB/ACE Individual Course/Conference Approval program for New Jersey social workers and social workers who are licensed in states that recognize ASWB/ACE Individual Course/Conference Approval. According to ASWB, most states accept courses with ACE Individual Course/Conference status.  These courses are not accepted in New York and West Virginia.

CLICK HERE to verify your state's CE requirements. 

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She is also available to customize a presentation for your agency, hospital, organization or peer supervision/consultation group. Contact Leslie is you are interested in hosting/sponsoring a workshop.  

WORKSHOPS CURRENTLY APPROVED BY THE ASWB INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE/COURSE APPROVAL PROGRAM:

 

Audit-Proof Progress Notes:

An In-Depth Look at Documentation and Record-Keeping in Private Practice

 

Friday, December 8, 2023

11:00-1:00, EST

Live, Interactive on Zoom

This workshop is designed for the intermediate clinician in private practice who wishes to gain a better understanding of how to create an audit-proof mental health progress note.

2 Clinical CE

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Course Objectives: 

  • Outline key components of a mental health progress note in private practice

  • Identify general documentation and record-keeping guidelines and apply them when writing mental health progress notes in private practice

  • Identify the differences between progress notes and psychotherapy notes

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Warning: Boundary Crossing Ahead

​Friday, October 20, 2023

9:30-3:00, EST

Live, Interactive on Zoom

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5 Ethics CEs

 

This course is designed for mental health practitioners who serve as clinicians, managers, case workers, supervisors/supervisees, students, mentors and educators.

 

Course Objectives:

  • Identify and successfully manage challenging ethical dilemmas involving boundaries in mental health practice

  • Implement practical strategies to strengthen boundaries in the clinician/client supervisor/supervisee, and employer/employee relationships

  • Develop ethically based, technology-related, policies and procedures for mental health practitioners in a variety of practice settings   

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Raves from past participants:

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     “Leslie made it interesting with humor, case studies and her personality” – Alexia

   

     “Leslie was wonderful. Very passionate and kept my attention on what is usually a dry topic” – Marcia

     

     "Leslie knows her subject. Hours were good, important topic, easy to access, satisfying experience" -       J.Z.

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      "I have ADD and often lose concentration when attempting Zoom conferences, but this held my

      interest throughout" - Gail R.

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     "It was very informative and the examples provided were excellent as they really made you think

      about the client-practitioner relationship and ethics. The break-out rooms were also good as people

      raised perspectives that I hadn't thought about"- G.P.

   

     “Very informative, engaging, well-done. I liked the open discussion and case scenarios where the             hypothetical situations were discussed and Leslie provided us with examples of real-life     

     consequences and potential outcomes” - G.F.

 

     "Leslie is very knowledgeable on the topics of ethics and risk management! Leslie's guidance has 

     been invaluable for years. I highly recommend her as a supervisor/consultant! I liked the case   

     presentations. They all had multiple complexities not easy to navigate" - Anonymous

   

      “It was very educational and enlightening. I enjoyed the breakout groups allowing for discussion

     and communication with other professionals working through case scenarios” - Anonymous

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     "Very good review of ethical issues which pertain to real-life scenarios. I liked the case scenarios   

     which led to thinking about these kinds of dilemmas" - Susan S.

 

    “Leslie is very knowledgeable and using case examples really helped show how various situations

      that seem clear at first can be very tricky to navigate” - K. Hayes

 

      “A reminder of the ethical implications one may/will face eventually in practice. Helpful to identify            future pitfalls and how to prevent stepping into them” – Elizabeth M.

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Everything You Need to Know:

Documentation for New Jersey Social Workers in Private Practice 

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​Sunday, November 5, 2023

9:30-3:00, EST

Live, Interactive on Zoom

This workshop is designed for the intermediate level private practitioner who wishes to gain a better understanding of how to fulfill their ethical and legal obligations to create, maintain and protect their clients' clinical/medical records..

5 Ethics CEs

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Course Objectives:

  1. Identify and apply general documentation and record-keeping guidelines

  2. Outline key elements of the clinical medical record

  3. Recite the essential features of a compliant progress note

  4. Discuss ethical standards and legal mandates around privacy and confidentiality relating to clients and others access to the medical record and the social worker's obligations to release/protect the client record

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Perpetrating Fraud? Accurate Diagnosis, Documentation, Billing and

Coding in Private Practice

Formerly, Are You Ready for An Audit? Diagnosing, Documenting, Billing and Coding in Private Practice

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5 Ethics CEs

New dates coming soon

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This workshop is designed for the intermediate level private practitioner who wants to avoid committing fraud and to gain a better understanding of the most accurate and ethical ways to diagnose, code, document and bill.

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Course Objectives: 

  • Identify fraudulent practices around billing, coding diagnosing and documentation

  • Outline key elements to ensure accurate and compliant billing, coding, diagnosing and documentation practices

  • Develop and implement practice policies and procedures that ethically and legally support and facilitate clients' access to mental health services 

 

Raves from participants

     "Every time I attend one of Leslie's seminars I walk away with new information that is applicable to my       

      practice. She stretches me to consider situations that I may not have encountered and always provides a   

      friendly environment to allow for discussions and questions. I highly recommend Leslie's seminars

      and feel we are lucky to have someone of this caliber in NJ to consult and learn from." -DW

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     "This was one of the more helpful ethics workshops I have taken. Very clear and practical information." -KG

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     "This workshop was "thorough, relevant to practice, comprehensive, and presenter was very

      knowledgeable and informed about the topics"- Anonymous

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     "All clinicians in private practice need this training in order to operate an ethical and legal practice" -Laura T.

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Avoiding the Slippery Slope in Private Practice:

Managing Complex Ethical Issues

This course is designed for intermediate social workers and mental health professionals

in private practice.

5 Ethics CEs

New dates coming soon

Course Objectives:

  • Identify, approach, manage and avoid complicated ethical issues

  • Recognize the most frequent ethical issues encountered by private practitioners

  • Develop a framework to approach ethical decision-making

  • Apply 6 key steps to reduce ethical malpractice risk

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Raves from participants

    “This workshop was excellent” -Anonymous

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    “…very engaging presenter. To be honest, I often dread ethics trainings but found this training surprisingly

     enjoyable!” - Lynne

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    “After years of practicing, we can become a little less diligent so this course was extremely helpful in 

    displaying and understanding ethical pitfalls.” - Robin Guterman

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    “Very relevant to the work we do! Leslie really breaks down ethics in an understanding, non-threatening

    and nonjudgmental way!!”- Lena Suarez-Angelino, MSW, LCSW

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    “It was informative, interactive, and interesting!” - Giovanna Coppola

Using Technology as a Mental Health Professional: Ethical and Legal Implications

Formerly, Using Technology in Social Work Practice: Ethical and Legal Implications

This course is designed for all mental health professionals who use or plan to use any form of digital technology (ex. e-mail, text, social media, video-conferencing, PMS/EHR) in their work.

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5 Ethics CEs

New dates coming soon

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Course Objectives:

  • Cite the various laws, ethical guidelines and regulatory standards that impact the use of digital technology in mental health practice.

  • Apply the information received to guide in the development and implementation of technology-related policies and procedures.

  • Apply, analyze and integrate ethical and legal principals into the use of digital technology in mental health practice.      

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Raves from participants

“Leslie leads excellent workshops. She is mindful of time, involves participation, is patient, explains the complications of legal issues.  She’s simply an excellent teacher and trainer. Important information presented in a clear and articulate manner for technology now used in social work practice.”- Judith Zucker LCSW

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“I thought the pace of the workshop was easy to follow and allowed time to process the information accurately…well organized and structured which I appreciated.” Christina C.

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“I learned so much about the current regs but really appreciated the resources given.” - MaryLou D.

“Lots of great information in the ever-changing world of telehealth and social work” - Denise

Minors' Rights Vs. Parents' Rights: Untangling the Web for New Jersey Clinicians

3 Ethics CEs

This course is designed for New Jersey social workers and mental health professionals who work with minors and their families.

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Course Objectives:

1. Apply the relevant New Jersey state laws, federal laws and ethical standards to determine New Jersey minors’ rights regarding consent to treatment and privacy and confidentiality.

2. Weigh the various clinical, ethical, practical and legal issues when working with minors whose parents are divorced, divorcing or separated.

3. Describe under what circumstances a minor in NJ can consent to their own care and maintain control over who may gain access to their health care information.     

 

   Raves from participants  

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“It is very important to understand the various and often conflicting laws regarding care for minors. I really liked that Leslie pointed out the vague terms, conflicting laws, how to utilize best practice and decision-making when working with minors. It can be confusing navigating the legal and ethical quagmire required when working with this population” - Susan

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“I believe all of the mental health professionals who work closely with minors should take this workshop to understand the legal and ethical issues around the treatment of minors. I can't think of any place/person who covered the topic comprehensively as Leslie did at the workshop. I thought I knew them fairly well, but I learned new information today and realized that I needed to change my practice, such as modifying the consent form and assessment of the minor's custody arrangements. Leslie had another excellent workshop that we cannot usually get anywhere else. I believe her talent is the ability to translate laws and regulations for us to understand the meanings and learn how to apply in our practice. I particularly liked the fact that she compared different disciplines (SW, LPC, Psychologists) for each topic. She made it as clear as possible for us to understand the complexity of the topic. I was also able to understand how laws and the code of ethics around minor's treatment are not user friendly and outdated today, which was helpful for me to understand. In addition, her pacing was great. It was a lot, but I didn't feel she was rushing through the materials” - Anonymous

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“Anyone who works with minors it is crucial information. I think it was handled well and I enjoyed the time put into answering everyone’s questions” - Abigail

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“I think this is a workshop for everyone, whether or not you work with children. I always love Leslie's workshops because she takes a complicated subject and makes it so much clearer. Her workshops are always so informative without being overwhelming. She provides great clinical examples that further clarify her points. I really liked that she leaves room for Q&A after each segment”- DCF

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“Understanding ethics and state/federal regulations and laws is crucial to providing clinical services to our clients. I appreciated the instructor's ability to clarify and explain the laws/regulations in a manner that was understandable and clear” - Anonymous

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“I think there is so many "it depends" moments that we do not realize working with minors and it is important to be aware. I felt like a left knowing a lot more than before. Also, helpful information to use with divorced parents of minors which will be very helpful in my practice” - Ashley P.

“Clears up many misconceptions about parents and minor's rights. Material was presented well and thoroughly” - John P.

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“It was extremely informative and well-presented and interactive. Very thorough” - Anonymous

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“It was a thorough examination of the current status and also an honest exploration of the contradictions involved in the various regulating bodies when it comes to treatment” - Anonymous

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“Great presentation. It clarified all the information needed to effectively and competently work with minors. Leslie proves again to be an amazing educator and clinician who is current in all laws, policies and procedures. I have been able to learn so much from her. I feel so confident in my practice thanks to her knowledge, feedback and support. Highly recommend her as a consultant and as an educator” - Anonymous

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“Essential information. I appreciate learning from Leslie. Very informative presentation.” - Anonymous

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