ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan’s Counseling and Psychological Services has developed a computerized client charting system specially designed for and available to university counseling centers.

Called ChartMaker, the program was designed for counselors to document services provided to clients. To encourage increased use of computer technology in counseling centers, ChartMaker is available for a nominal royalty fee.

As a public institution, the U-M is devoted to teaching, research and service, says Jackie Sproat, systems administrator in the U-M Counseling and Psychological Services center. “One aspect of our mission is the application of knowledge to problems of general public interest. The motivation for making the program available is to contribute to the counseling profession, not to make large profits.”

ChartMaker has the look and feel of a paper chart, Sproat says. It is used to record appointment date and length, service provided (crisis intervention, assessment, individual counseling, group counseling, etc.), patient diagnoses, intake assessment (clients presenting concerns), treatment plan, summary notes of ongoing counseling sessions, termination summary, groups and workshops available, and names of students who are registered for each group or workshop.

ChartMaker can also include client psychological assessment instruments (general symptom distress, eating disorders, substance abuse) and demographic information. Scores on assessment questionnaires are produced automatically in a format that is easy for clinicians to understand and apply to their work, according to Sproat. Security is maintained by passwords, internally generated identification numbers unique for each client, and storage of client names apart from confidential data.

Although designed to assist clinicians with day-to-day work, ChartMaker also meets the needs of administrators and supervisors. Generating administrative reports takes only a few minutes, says Sproat.

In use at U-M for three years, ChartMaker, has received highly positive reviews from outside testers as well.

To request a free demo, call (734) 764-8312, or e-mail [email protected]