Pear Tree Software

  Bahama, North Carolina

IFS Insight News

Version 2.1 Released
October 18, 2006.  In this version (Therapist Edition) the Client Billing system has been expanded to include a Health Insurance Claims Management system. Therapists can now print health insurance claims forms (CMS-1500) and track claims and payments. Once you have entered the health insurance information for a client, the claims forms can be printed on whatever schedule you wish. Pending claims are easily reviewed, and insurance claims and payments are integrated into the billing system.

Minor Update
August 16, 2006.  Version 2 now gives you the option of displaying one or more diagnoses on billing statements.  Just download the Therapist Edition on the Product Updates page.

Printing health insurance claim forms (CMS 1500) is in the works and should be available in a week or two.

Version 2 Released
July 28, 2006. Version 2.0 is now available. Two major new features are the Sharing of IFS Materials, and the Client Billing System (therapist version only).

The Sharing facility allows you to send narratives, diagrams, and other IFS materials to other IFS Insight users via email. The other person is able to view and work with the materials just as if they had been created in his or her system.

This ability can be used to enhance collaboration between therapist and client, co-therapists, trainers, researchers, etc. IFS is known to work well by telephone. Consider the benefits of adding the exchange of  narrative and visual materials to that mode.

The Client Billing System provides a simple yet effective set of tools for logging completed therapy sessions, optionally printing billing statements, and tracking receivables and client payments.

If you use the IFS Insight Appointment Calendar your therapy sessions are automatically transferred to the billing system. If not, sessions are very easy to log into the system.

The Client Information Window now includes a client billing history. A monthly income statement and a receivables aging report can be viewed or printed at any time.

What's In A Name?
With version 2 we are making some product name changes. The term "client version" seems a little narrow. Some users may no longer be therapy clients, or may not like to think of their inner work defining them as a "client". So "client" is becoming "personal".

Also, the twin meanings of "version" (therapist/client, version 2.0) can be confusing. So we will now have "editions".

And while we're at it, we are dropping the second digit after the decimal point in the version number - not needed. So, the new names are:

IFS Insight - Therapist Edition

IFS Insight - Personal Edition

Both are currently in Version 2.0

New Version Released
April 28, 2006.  Version 1.03 is now available for downloading at no cost. This versions contain two exciting new features: clove diagrams and freehand drawing.

Clove Diagrams provide a way to display and work with small sets of parts that are clustered around a particular issue or situation (clove). The diagrams are primarily visual - Part symbols or images in a spatial arrangement, with arrows or symbols indicating relationships. But they can also be quite verbal, with labels on the relationship arrows, free standing notes on the diagram, or "bubble" notes attached to the part symbols (so they can "talk" like comic strip characters). There can also be longer narratives or notes for the clove as a whole, each part and each relationship. You may create a series of diagrams for a clove as your understanding of it evolves, or as it changes over time.

Freehand Drawing allows for various kinds of "art therapy" techniques. Sometimes a picture IS worth a thousand words. You "draw" with the mouse, much like using a magic marker on paper. There is also an "air brush" for effects similar to a water color "wash".

Current IFS Insight users can download the new version on the Product Updates page. Your data files will not be affected.  If you're not yet an IFS Insight user, go to the Download Demo page for a 30 day free trial.

Product Update - Version 1.02
IFS Insight (both therapist and client) has been updated to version 1.02. Several new features have been added:

- Progress Notes window in Therapist version. Record progress notes in several standard formats. Print out individual notes, client histories, or all client notes for a period.

- IFS Tips system on IFS Tools Window. Add or define your own guidelines, descriptions or checklists for various IFS techniques and approaches. Two examples provided: "Part, Role and Burden Primer", and "Working With Parts On Your own".

- Part Picker, a small popup optionally displayed on the Narratives tab for quickly inserting a part name into the narrative or at the start of a new paragraph.

- Select fonts for Narratives, Conference Table, and Progress Notes - typeface, size, color.

- Many windows now resizable. Some have splitters for allocating space, for example between narrative and parts group on Narratives window.

- Parts List And Conference Table sessions can now be printed out.

 If you have downloaded the demo or purchased IFS Insight you should download the update on the Product Updates page. Your data files (IFS material) will not be affected.
 

Software Developer In IFS Level 1 Training
Well, I've taken the plunge! I've decided to deepen my knowledge of the IFS model by taking the Level 1 Training. I look for this to help me to make the software more effective and more responsive to the needs of both therapists and clients. I'm also planning on becoming a therapist, at least part time.

If the first weekend is any guide, the training is a terrific experience. I'm in the Boston group - back to my roots. And there's the added bonus that I get to stay with my daughter, Jessie. 

Future Directions

IFS Insight, version 1, was released in September of 05. Many potential features came from feedback at the IFS Conference. Most ideas have now been incorporated. Here are some highlights from the "wish list":

Sharing IFS Material

A system will be developed for sending IFS material from one computer to another. This will allow, for instance, client and therapist to share narratives, diagrams, drawings, parts lists, etc. This ability could lead to new modes of treatment, such as extended work between therapy sessions, and peer counseling collaboration. This approach, in turn, might enable IFS to reach a whole new group of clients who live several hours from the nearest IFS therapist. Other potential applications for this sharing ability include teaching, training, and research.  In version 2.00!

Mapping/Drawing Canvas

The current Parts Diagram tab or "canvas" will be made more flexible, and available for many other uses. Freehand drawing directly on the canvas will be added, along with a richer selection of symbols, shapes, arrows, etc. This will mean that clients and therapists can create a variety of visual maps, drawings, diagrams, etc., save them for future use and reference, or share them for collaborative work in a remote treatment or peer counseling mode. In version 1.03

Resizing

There are a number of places in the program where it would be helpful to be able to resize a window, or portions of it. In version 1.02

Medicaid & Insurance Support

The client intake and therapy session narrative functions will be adapted to recording and providing the kinds of information needed for Medicaid and insurance purposes. Diagnostic codes will be available in a lookup list, and some form of templates will be used to create appropriate documentation of each session. In version 1.02

Billing & Receivables

A billing and receivables module will be added, perhaps as an extra cost item, for those who bill their clients in that manner. Coming soon in version 2.00. No extra cost!

Institutional Version

A multi-user, or institutional version will be made available for agencies, treatment centers, group practices, and other situations where multiple users share one program over a network, with individual or shared client lists. In testing, version 1.02

What else?

The Conference was intense. We know that many people could not find time to sign up and discuss the software. If you have ideas for features you would like to see, don't be shy! Put your idea into a request on the Tech Support page.

Free Upgrade

By the way, many of the above features will be in the next major version of IFS Insight, which will be available at no additional cost to current users. So don't delay - get started using IFS Insight now.

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