Psychologist's confirmation of ongoing care: what you can (and cannot) write
Psychologist's confirmation of ongoing care: what you can write (dates, frequency), what you cannot (unverifiable cause, diagnosis), and the rules of caution. Template to download.
Countries covered : France
The confirmation of ongoing care is often requested by the patient for an administrative procedure, a file, or sometimes in view of legal proceedings. It is a useful document, but one to be handled with caution: the psychologist is responsible for its content.
This page clearly distinguishes what can be certified, what should be avoided, and offers a template to download.
The principle: certifying facts, not causes
What you can write
- The reality of the follow-up: that the person is receiving care, since which date.
- The number and frequency of sessions, their dates.
- The general and objective reason, only if it has been observed (and not assumed or reported).
What to avoid
- Attributing an unverifiable cause (origin of the disorder, responsibility of a third party).
- Making a medical diagnosis: this is not within the psychologist's scope of practice.
- Expressing an opinion on a person who has not been seen (e.g., in a family conflict or legal proceeding).
- Writing for a purpose contrary to the patient's interest.
Best practices for issuance
The certificate is provided at the patient's request. Before writing it, find out the intended use: this allows you to refuse if the request seems inappropriate or contrary to the person's interest. Remain factual, dated, and signed, and keep a copy.
Confirmation of ongoing care template to download
Factual and cautious (certified facts, standard disclaimer), ready to customise. Access the PDF by entering your email:
The structure of a confirmation of ongoing care
- Header. Your identity and professional title (psychologist), contact details.
- Patient's identity. The person concerned.
- The certified fact. Follow-up since a certain date, frequency, number of sessions.
- If applicable, the general objective reason. Without assumed cause or diagnosis.
- Standard disclaimer. "Certificate issued to the person concerned at their request, for all appropriate purposes."
- Date, place, signature.
Save time, without compromising on caution
A fixed template helps you avoid risky phrasing and ensures that the certificate remains factual. For your clinical writings (reports, notes), Delta generates a structured document according to your template from your live note-taking or dictation, with HDS hosting, GDPR compliant. The certificate itself remains a short document that you control from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
What can a confirmation of ongoing care contain?
Confirmation of ongoing care (since which date), the number and frequency of sessions, and potentially a general objective reason, only if it has been observed.
What should the certificate not contain?
An unverifiable cause (e.g., the origin of a disorder), a medical diagnosis, or statements about a person who has not been seen.
Can the psychologist make a diagnosis in the certificate?
No. Medical diagnosis is not within the psychologist's scope of practice; the certificate remains factual.
Is it necessary to know the intended use of the certificate?
Yes. Finding out the intended use allows you to refuse an inappropriate request or one that is contrary to the patient's interest.
To whom is the certificate given?
To the person concerned, at their request. The psychologist keeps a dated and signed copy.
Cut the time spent on your writing in half
Delta generates your reports and notes from your note-taking or dictation, in complete confidentiality (HDS / GDPR).
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