Licensed individual with a doctoral degree in psychology who specializes in the study of the structure and function of the brain and related mental processes of animals and humans. Two years of clinical experience in a health setting or meeting standards of the National Register of the Health Service Providers in Psychology is required. Also see clinical psychologist.

1. Study of behavior and of the functions and processes of the mind, especially as related to the social and physical environment. 2. Profession (clinical psychologist) that involves the practical applications of knowledge, skills, and techniques in the understanding of, prevention of, or solutions to individual or social problems, especially in regard to the interaction between the individual and the physical and social environment. 3. Mental, motivational, and behavioral characteristics and attitudes of an individual or group of individuals.

1. Handwritten, recorded, or transcribed typed notes by a mental health clinician that document or analyze conversations between therapists and clients during individual, family, or group psychotherapy counseling sessions. These notes are retained separate and apart from the medical record. However, notes relative to therapy such as information shared in training in consultation with other clinicians, a summary of symptoms, a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or process of treatment are not psychotherapy notes and are known as psychiatric information. Billing for treatment of psychiatric disorders and psychotherapy falls under CPT codes 90804 through 90899 in the CPT Medicine Section. 2. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), notes recorded in any medium by a health care provider who is a mental health professional documenting or analyzing the contents of conversation during a private counseling session or a group, joint, or family counseling session and that are separated from the rest of the individual’s medical record. Psychotherapy notes excludes medication prescription and monitoring, counseling session start and stop times, the modalities and frequencies of treatment furnished, results of clinical tests, and any summary of the following items: diagnosis, functional status, the treatment plan, symptoms, prognosis, and progress to date. Under HIPAA, a clinician is not required to disclose the original psychotherapy notes to the patient. Generally a summary of the notes is done to satisfy a patient’s request.

Abbreviation that means per thousand members per year.