Best Options for Therapy Practice Management Software in 2022

Everyone had to make adjustments during the pandemic, but a lot of them have fallen by the wayside as things are returning to normal. One thing that isn’t changing, though, is the demand for teletherapy – and that’s definitely a positive development. According to experts, teletherapy won’t be going anywhere for a while. The use of teletherapy has increased by over 50% since March 2020, and it isn’t likely to decrease simply because clients can return to regular in-person therapy sessions. Plus, with 49% of people saying that they’d use a telehealth platform for talk therapy (according to a 2021 survey), the demand will probably always be there.

With so many options for teletherapy platforms, it’s important that therapists and psychiatrists choose the one that suits their needs, as well as the needs of their clients. Would something like TheraPlatform be a good fit, since it’s specifically designed with teletherapy in mind? Maybe they just want a HIPAA-compliant video conferencing service, like Zoom for Healthcare. Whatever the case, there are a few teletherapy platforms that stand out from the rest – read more about them below.

TheraPlatform

Here’s one of the quintessential teletherapy platforms. Unlike a lot of the top telehealth platforms available, TheraPlatform is designed specifically for use by therapists and their clients. Not only does it offer features like automatic invoicing, session recording, and client waiting rooms, but therapists can also take notes during sessions and track patient outcomes on the platform. Every aspect of TheraPlatform, from the video calls to the database backups, are encrypted and HIPAA-compliant.

Zoom for Healthcare

While this option doesn’t offer tools for billing, calendar management, or documentation, it has several other advantages that make it a popular choice. The ability to record and share screens, exchange files, and integrate with medical devices makes it easy for therapists and clients to stay connected. Plus, Zoom is a platform that’s already familiar to many people, so some clients won’t have to get used to an unfamiliar interface before they can effectively use it.

Doxy.me

Here’s a platform that has something for everyone. For the clients, there are virtual waiting rooms and check-ins, plus videos, images, and reading materials to peruse while in the patient queue. For the therapists, there’s a dedicated online store with relevant equipment, like blood pressure monitors, microphones, and laptops. Doxy.me can also be customized to display the logo or brand of the healthcare provider, which looks more polished and professional.

VSee

Not only are scheduled appointments made easy, but clients can also stay in touch with their therapists between appointments. Therapists can set wellness goals, and even help monitor their clients’ progress through Fitbits, blood pressure monitors, wireless scales, and other connected devices. Integrated features let healthcare providers take care of invoicing, billing, and collecting patient intake forms. Even if clients don’t have access to high-speed internet, they can still use VSee, as it’s optimized for slow connections.

Nuna

This platform was designed to be a one-stop-shop for therapists and clients. In addition to holding sessions over high-quality video calls, therapists can also manage workflow and their practice in general. Nuna offers features like file and screen sharing, text chats, and real-time note-taking; appointments can be scheduled on the platform, and clients will get reminders for upcoming sessions. When it’s time to send invoices and collect payments, that can be done on the platform as well.

Core features of therapy practice management software

Every therapy practice’s needs are different, and their management software should be able to meet those needs. If you’re considering a few different teletherapy options, here are some of the key features you should pay attention to.

Data security

While any therapy session should feel like a safe space for the client, their data should also be secure on the platform. Not only is it common sense; it’s also necessary to ensure compliance with HIPAA requirements. Video calls should have end-to-end encryption, and all client-related files should also be encrypted. This includes not only their billing information and personal details, but also session notes and chats. Having the appropriate digital protocols is more important than ever, especially where personal and potentially sensitive topics are concerned.

Key features that improve workflow

From the client’s perspective, the therapist’s work is done during their sessions together. From the therapist’s perspective, though, that’s just the start of it. They also have to keep track of client notes, progress, and outcomes, stay on top of invoicing and billing, and sometimes even maintain communication between sessions. Managing all of these details has to be done somehow, and if it can be done on the same platform, it’ll streamline the entire process.

Acceptable pricing plans

Just like healthcare providers have to pay rent for physical offices, they also have to pay for the platforms where they host virtual appointments. And, just like with the rent, the price of the teletherapy platform will probably impact their fees. When choosing a therapy practice management software, make sure you figure out how it’ll impact your bottom line. Will you have to raise your prices considerably, and if so, will that make you less competitive compared to other therapy practices? Some of the options above have a free plan available, but if teletherapy constitutes a significant portion of your practice, you’ll probably be better off with a paid plan.

Ease of use and performance

A teletherapy platform should make life easier, not more difficult. If the platform is hard to navigate or has issues like poor video quality, that will reflect badly on your therapy practice, and result in a lot of unnecessary frustration. Sometimes connectivity issues are inevitable, though; in that case, it would be handy to have a backup chat feature.

The takeaway

There’s a lot to consider when selecting the right therapy practice management software, but knowing what the best options are is a good start. As long as you know what to look for, and choose a platform that’ll give you plenty of room to grow, you should be in good shape.