CPT® code 90832 is used to report a 30-minute psychotherapy session with a patient, addressing emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and interpersonal issues that affect functioning and mental health. This code is commonly used by psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and other qualified mental health professionals.
What is CPT Code 90832?
CPT 90832 represents individual psychotherapy services lasting 16 to 37 minutes face-to-face with the patient. The therapy focuses on improving mental health and emotional well-being through evidence-based talk therapy modalities such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Supportive therapy
- Trauma-focused therapy
The session may address conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, relationship issues, and adjustment disorders. Psychotherapy involves active engagement with the patient, including assessment of mood and thought content, therapeutic dialogue, coping skill development, and ongoing treatment planning.
When to Use CPT Code 90832
This code should be used when the psychotherapy session duration is approximately 30 minutes, and no additional evaluation or management (E/M) services are provided. If psychotherapy is provided in conjunction with an E/M service (such as medication management), you may instead report CPT 90833, an add-on code.
Providers must document:
- Time spent in psychotherapy
- Therapeutic interventions used
- Patient response and progress
- Treatment goals and any updates to the plan of care
Coding Considerations
- The minimum required time for billing 90832 is 16 minutes.
- The code includes only psychotherapy; if medical management or diagnostic evaluation is also provided, additional codes may be warranted.
- Must be performed by a provider licensed and credentialed to deliver psychotherapy services independently.
CPT 90832 and Documentation Best Practices
Payers may require clinical justification showing that therapy is medically necessary and part of an ongoing treatment plan. Providers should use structured, time-based documentation formats and include measurable outcomes when possible.
Using tools like symptom rating scales (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7) can help demonstrate progress and support continued treatment under this code.
Simplify Mental Health Documentation and Billing with OptiMantra
For therapists and behavioral health practices, keeping pace with clinical documentation and payer requirements can be time-consuming. OptiMantra offers a streamlined solution:
- Customizable mental health templates built for psychotherapy workflows with time-tracking
- Quick superbill generation from completed chart notes
- Easy integration of 90832 billing with insurance claim workflows
Whether you're a solo therapist or part of a larger integrative team, OptiMantra ensures your psychotherapy sessions are clearly documented, compliantly coded, and quickly reimbursed—so you can focus on helping patients heal.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
