Before Covid-19 hit us, thousands of people were using telehealth services to improve their mental and physical well-being. In addition, several programs were running that offered help to ordinary people. Now that we are coming out of the pandemic, the apps and programs used by thousands are now being used by millions of people.
While telehealth programs can diagnose all kinds of illnesses, behavioral disorders are the most common disorders that take up most telehealth appointments. Therefore, the majority of telehealth platforms are aimed to address behavioral disorders.
One of the best things about telehealth platforms is that they are required to comply with HIPAA requirements, so you know your privacy is being protected. In addition, all the telehealth platforms are end-to-end encrypted and offer maximum privacy to the patients. This is one of the reasons why many mental-health specialists are choosing to sign up with such platforms.
If you are wondering why and which telehealth platform you should sign up with as a therapist, continue reading to find out.
Why Use Telemedicine Software Instead of Conferencing Apps?
Covid-19 brought us to the world of digital media like never before. Many specialists who ran private practices were forced to shut down due to the lockdown. So, with digital apps on the rise, they decided to continue offering therapy to their patients online using various conferencing platforms.
While Zoom and Skype did offer great help and complied with the requirements of telehealth programs, they weren’t designed for such practices in the first place.
Not to mention, none of these platforms were fully compliant with HIPAA requirements. And the safety and security of electronically protected health information faced specific security threats that couldn’t be neglected. This is why telehealth platforms were developed, all of which were HIPAA compliant and offered absolute encryption for doctor-patient data.
This is where the thought of developing telehealth platforms explicitly designed for telehealth practices came into being. There are various benefits these platforms offer therapists that a regular video conferencing platform couldn’t, such as:
- Omnichannel secure communication
- Patient management
- Enhanced security and privacy
- Extensive digital forms
- Patient portal features
Telehealth solutions have a very well-thought-out interface that secures patient data and makes functionality 1000 times more manageable. These robust ecosystems are designed to enhance your and your patient’s experience manifold.
Top 5 Telehealth Platforms for Therapists
Let’s explore the five most functional telehealth solutions for therapists so you can better understand which telehealth platform would be the most suitable for you.
1. ExpertBox
ExpertBox offers an all-in-one web-based solution for therapists who want to work online. The platform aims at ensuring a continuous workflow for therapists. This includes video conferencing, appointment booking, one-on-calls, and protecting your patients’ data.
This telehealth platform allows you to communicate with your patients via chat, create intake forms, and collect feedback via reviews once the session ends. Furthermore, you will enjoy various other features on ExpertBox that thoroughly customizes your and your patient’s experience.
The appointment schedule and payment portal are also highly convenient. You must create your account as a therapist, set your schedule, define your available working hours, and submit the paperwork required to run your practice.
You can also take notes during a video conference if your patient consents. Plus, the platform allows you to get payment in advance to ensure you’re paid even if a client skips a session.
2. TherapyNotes
TherapyNotes is a user-friendly web-based telehealth solution that allows you to conduct video conferences with a smooth billing system.
In addition, this platform creates a client portal where you can take notes of your sessions with consent and then write prescriptions while offering maximum support.
Another benefit of using TherapyNotes is that if you have previously used another telehealth platform, you can import all your patient data to this platform. It will keep you from adding new patients and keep your data secure.
Various options will let you schedule therapy sessions while all this data is encrypted for absolute protection.
3. SimplePractice
SimplePractice will let your patients book online appointments and offer HIPAA-compliant video communication services just like all other platforms we have mentioned on this list. This application mainly aims at offering private practicing services and creates a client portal that therapists can utilize for various services.
It is effortless to get started with. All you have to do is register, import your clientele, create scheduling hours and wait for your patients to book appointments. You can also add treatment plans, assessments, and prescriptions for each patient as you see fit.
The billing system is smooth, and this application also allows intake forms.
4. Therapy Brands
Another therapy practice management software that is helpful for therapists is Therapy Brands. While this software might not be the most affordable option, it offers a wide range of tools to complement your services.
The software allows versatile intake forms, scheduling, online payment methods, and reminders for upcoming appointments. If you’d like to start with Therapy Brands, you can easily accommodate yourself with a 21-day trial plan.
This software offers different pricing plans according to the features you sign up for. So, with the help of a free trial, you can first experience the app and see if your patients find it functional. If they do, you can go ahead and purchase a specific plan.
5. Doxy. me
Lastly, Doxy.me is a free telehealth platform allowing you to access video conferencing and a Business Associate agreement. However, if you want to improve the video quality or enable screen-sharing with your patient, you must purchase a monthly subscription.
This platform is more inclined toward practitioners who are looking for platforms that are more HIPAA compliant. There is a payment system available, along with various other features you can use.
Final Words
So, these are some of the best telehealth platforms for therapists that we have come across in 2022. Every single software has its own unique advantages as well as limitations. While some of these platforms are free, most require you to sign up for a monthly subscription to avail yourself of all their features.
But before you try any of them, we’d recommend a thorough assessment based on your requirements, especially your budget. After that, you can sign up for the right platform and use it to its fullest capacity during a trial run. It’ll help you make an informed buying decision.
Hopefully, this article has been helpful to you in more than one way. Do leave us with your feedback below.
