Quick Overview
- 1#1: SimplePractice - All-in-one HIPAA-compliant practice management platform for therapists and counselors with scheduling, telehealth, billing, and progress notes.
- 2#2: TherapyNotes - Secure EHR software designed specifically for mental health professionals featuring notes, scheduling, billing, and client portal.
- 3#3: TheraNest - Comprehensive practice management tool for behavioral health practices with client management, billing, reporting, and telehealth integration.
- 4#4: CounSol - Counseling-specific practice management software offering scheduling, secure messaging, billing, and compliance tools for private practices.
- 5#5: Practice Better - Integrated platform for wellness professionals including counselors, with charting, scheduling, billing, and client portals.
- 6#6: Power Diary - Online practice management software for therapists with secure video sessions, notes, invoicing, and automated reminders.
- 7#7: Jane - Cloud-based practice management for clinics and solo practitioners featuring online booking, charting, and telehealth.
- 8#8: Cliniko - Practice management software for allied health professionals including counselors, with scheduling, SOAP notes, and billing.
- 9#9: Kareo - EHR and billing platform tailored for independent mental health practices with revenue cycle management and patient engagement.
- 10#10: Valant - Behavioral health EHR with practice management, outcome measurement tools, and telepsychiatry for counselors and therapists.
Tools were evaluated based on feature relevance to counselor workflows, user-friendliness, data security, and overall value, prioritizing platforms that integrate scheduling, documentation, telehealth, and billing into cohesive, reliable systems for both solo practitioners and clinics.
Comparison Table
For counselors seeking the right software, comparing features like client management, documentation tools, and pricing is crucial. This table explores tools such as SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, TheraNest, CounSol, Practice Better, and more, highlighting their key functionalities and unique benefits. Readers will gain actionable insights to choose a solution that aligns with their practice's specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SimplePractice All-in-one HIPAA-compliant practice management platform for therapists and counselors with scheduling, telehealth, billing, and progress notes. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | TherapyNotes Secure EHR software designed specifically for mental health professionals featuring notes, scheduling, billing, and client portal. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | TheraNest Comprehensive practice management tool for behavioral health practices with client management, billing, reporting, and telehealth integration. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | CounSol Counseling-specific practice management software offering scheduling, secure messaging, billing, and compliance tools for private practices. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Practice Better Integrated platform for wellness professionals including counselors, with charting, scheduling, billing, and client portals. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 6 | Power Diary Online practice management software for therapists with secure video sessions, notes, invoicing, and automated reminders. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Jane Cloud-based practice management for clinics and solo practitioners featuring online booking, charting, and telehealth. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Cliniko Practice management software for allied health professionals including counselors, with scheduling, SOAP notes, and billing. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Kareo EHR and billing platform tailored for independent mental health practices with revenue cycle management and patient engagement. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 10 | Valant Behavioral health EHR with practice management, outcome measurement tools, and telepsychiatry for counselors and therapists. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.1/10 |
All-in-one HIPAA-compliant practice management platform for therapists and counselors with scheduling, telehealth, billing, and progress notes.
Secure EHR software designed specifically for mental health professionals featuring notes, scheduling, billing, and client portal.
Comprehensive practice management tool for behavioral health practices with client management, billing, reporting, and telehealth integration.
Counseling-specific practice management software offering scheduling, secure messaging, billing, and compliance tools for private practices.
Integrated platform for wellness professionals including counselors, with charting, scheduling, billing, and client portals.
Online practice management software for therapists with secure video sessions, notes, invoicing, and automated reminders.
Cloud-based practice management for clinics and solo practitioners featuring online booking, charting, and telehealth.
Practice management software for allied health professionals including counselors, with scheduling, SOAP notes, and billing.
EHR and billing platform tailored for independent mental health practices with revenue cycle management and patient engagement.
Behavioral health EHR with practice management, outcome measurement tools, and telepsychiatry for counselors and therapists.
SimplePractice
specializedAll-in-one HIPAA-compliant practice management platform for therapists and counselors with scheduling, telehealth, billing, and progress notes.
Integrated telehealth with automatic session-to-note linking for effortless documentation
SimplePractice is a comprehensive practice management platform tailored for mental health professionals, including counselors, offering tools for appointment scheduling, secure telehealth sessions, electronic health records (EHR), billing, and client portals. It streamlines administrative workflows with customizable progress note templates, insurance claims processing, and HIPAA-compliant communication features. Designed to reduce paperwork and enhance client engagement, it enables counselors to focus more on therapy while ensuring compliance and efficiency.
Pros
- All-in-one platform with seamless EHR, telehealth, and billing integration
- HIPAA-compliant with robust security and excellent customer support
- Customizable templates and client portal for efficient documentation and communication
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features like superbills
- Learning curve for new users despite intuitive interface
- Additional fees for credit card processing and intakes
Best For
Solo counselors or small mental health practices needing a fully integrated, compliant solution for telehealth, documentation, and billing.
Pricing
Starts at $29/user/month (Essentials) up to $99/user/month (Professional), billed annually; additional per-client intake fees and payment processing apply.
TherapyNotes
specializedSecure EHR software designed specifically for mental health professionals featuring notes, scheduling, billing, and client portal.
Therapy-specific progress note templates with auto-population and dropdowns for efficient, standardized documentation
TherapyNotes is a cloud-based practice management software tailored for behavioral health professionals, including counselors, therapists, and psychologists. It provides comprehensive tools for scheduling appointments, creating customizable progress notes, handling insurance billing, and conducting secure telehealth sessions. The platform also features a client portal for communication, payments, and homework assignments, all while maintaining full HIPAA compliance.
Pros
- Award-winning progress note templates customized for therapy sessions
- Seamless integration of scheduling, billing, and telehealth in one platform
- Exceptional customer support with live chat and phone assistance
Cons
- No free trial, only demos available
- Pricing can be steep for solo practitioners without volume discounts
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Ideal for solo counselors or small to mid-sized mental health practices needing an all-in-one HIPAA-compliant solution for notes, billing, and client management.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month for the first clinician (billed annually), $39/additional users; includes all features with no setup fees.
TheraNest
specializedComprehensive practice management tool for behavioral health practices with client management, billing, reporting, and telehealth integration.
Automated claims scrubbing and superbills generation for efficient insurance billing
TheraNest is a cloud-based practice management software tailored for mental health professionals, including counselors, offering tools for client scheduling, secure EHR documentation, billing, and telehealth. It streamlines administrative tasks with features like customizable progress notes, treatment plans, client portals for self-scheduling and payments, and robust reporting. Designed to enhance efficiency while ensuring HIPAA compliance, it's particularly suited for solo practitioners and small to medium-sized practices.
Pros
- Comprehensive billing and insurance claims processing with superbills
- Intuitive client portal for intake forms and secure messaging
- Strong HIPAA-compliant telehealth and mobile app support
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Note templates lack deep customization options
- Occasional performance lags reported during peak usage
Best For
Solo counselors or small counseling practices needing an affordable, all-in-one platform for scheduling, billing, and documentation.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (Essentials), $49 (Professional), $59 (Advanced); 20% discount for annual billing, with a 30-day free trial.
CounSol
specializedCounseling-specific practice management software offering scheduling, secure messaging, billing, and compliance tools for private practices.
Automated superbills and one-click insurance claims tailored for counseling reimbursements
CounSol is a comprehensive EHR and practice management platform tailored for mental health professionals, including counselors, offering tools for scheduling, billing, secure messaging, progress notes, and telehealth. It streamlines administrative workflows with HIPAA-compliant features like a client portal for self-scheduling and homework assignments. Designed for solo to mid-sized practices, it emphasizes ease in documentation and revenue cycle management to let counselors focus on therapy.
Pros
- Robust scheduling with automated reminders and availability syncing
- Integrated billing with superbills and insurance claims processing
- Counseling-specific templates for notes, treatment plans, and intakes
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting compared to enterprise competitors
- Steeper learning curve for custom configurations
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-provider practices
Best For
Solo counselors or small group practices needing an affordable, all-in-one solution for documentation and billing.
Pricing
Starts at $49.95/month for solo Basic plan; Pro at $69.95/month and Group plans from $99.95/month per provider, with add-ons for telehealth.
Practice Better
specializedIntegrated platform for wellness professionals including counselors, with charting, scheduling, billing, and client portals.
Program Builder for creating custom, multimedia client programs with tasks, videos, and progress tracking
Practice Better is an all-in-one practice management platform tailored for health and wellness professionals, including counselors, offering tools for client scheduling, HIPAA-compliant telehealth, customizable charting, and billing. It features a robust client portal for self-scheduling, payments, and homework assignments, streamlining administrative tasks. Counselors benefit from pre-built SOAP notes, intake forms, and progress tracking to enhance session delivery and client engagement.
Pros
- HIPAA-compliant telehealth and secure client portal for seamless virtual sessions
- Customizable forms, assessments, and Program Builder for personalized client plans
- Integrated billing, insurance claims, and reporting to simplify finances
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for group practices or advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for customizing advanced templates and workflows
- Limited native integrations with popular EHRs or accounting tools
Best For
Solo counselors or small practices needing an integrated platform for telehealth, client engagement, and administrative automation.
Pricing
Solo plan at $29/month (annual), Group at $59/month, Plus at $99/month (annual billing); telehealth add-on $19/month.
Power Diary
specializedOnline practice management software for therapists with secure video sessions, notes, invoicing, and automated reminders.
Customizable intake forms and progress tracking tools integrated directly into the client portal for seamless therapy workflows
Power Diary is a cloud-based practice management platform tailored for health practitioners, including counselors, offering comprehensive tools for appointment scheduling, secure client notes, billing, and telehealth consultations. It features an intuitive client portal for self-booking, form completion, and secure messaging, reducing administrative burdens. Counselors benefit from customizable SOAP notes, automated reminders, and reporting to track practice growth and client progress.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with excellent mobile app support
- Robust telehealth integration with secure video and session notes
- Comprehensive client portal for self-service booking and forms
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-user practices
- Limited native integrations with some EHR or accounting tools
- Advanced customization requires initial setup time
Best For
Solo counselors or small therapy practices seeking an user-friendly, all-in-one platform for scheduling, notes, and telehealth.
Pricing
Starts at $15 USD/month per practitioner (Essentials plan) up to $70/month (Max plan); annual billing discounts available, unlimited clients.
Jane
specializedCloud-based practice management for clinics and solo practitioners featuring online booking, charting, and telehealth.
Therapy-specific customizable charting with progress tracking and automated outcome measures
Jane (jane.app) is an all-in-one practice management platform tailored for health and wellness professionals, including counselors and therapists. It streamlines appointment scheduling, secure telehealth sessions, customizable SOAP notes and charting, insurance billing, and client intake forms. With HIPAA-compliant features, it helps counselors manage their private practice efficiently from any device.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Comprehensive telehealth and secure client messaging
- Customizable charting templates for therapy notes
Cons
- Pricing increases with add-ons like advanced billing
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Geared more toward North American insurance systems
Best For
Solo counselors or small therapy practices needing an easy-to-use, all-in-one tool for scheduling, documentation, and virtual sessions.
Pricing
Starts at $74/month per provider (Essentials), $129/month (Pro), with custom Enterprise plans; telehealth included, plus transaction fees for payments.
Cliniko
specializedPractice management software for allied health professionals including counselors, with scheduling, SOAP notes, and billing.
Customizable online booking widget with waitlist management and automated reminders
Cliniko is a cloud-based practice management platform tailored for allied health professionals, including counselors, offering tools for appointment scheduling, client record-keeping, invoicing, and online booking. It supports secure client communication, customizable intake forms, and basic reporting to streamline counseling workflows. While versatile for solo or small practices, it emphasizes simplicity over advanced therapy-specific features like outcome tracking.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile app access
- Unlimited clients and users regardless of plan size
- Responsive customer support available via chat and email
Cons
- Not HIPAA compliant, limiting suitability for US-based counselors
- No native telehealth or video integration (requires third-party tools)
- Reporting lacks depth for advanced analytics or progress tracking
Best For
Solo counselors or small Australian practices needing simple scheduling and billing without complex therapy tools.
Pricing
Starts at $45 AUD/month for solo practitioners; scales to $135 AUD/month for up to 5 practitioners, billed annually with a free trial.
Kareo
specializedEHR and billing platform tailored for independent mental health practices with revenue cycle management and patient engagement.
Intelligent Revenue Cycle Management with AI-driven claims optimization and real-time eligibility checks
Kareo is a cloud-based practice management and EHR platform designed for independent healthcare providers, including counselors and behavioral health professionals. It offers integrated scheduling, billing, telehealth, and customizable therapy note templates to streamline administrative workflows and revenue cycle management. Counselors appreciate its focus on compliant documentation and insurance claims processing tailored to mental health practices.
Pros
- Robust revenue cycle management with claims scrubbing and denial prevention
- Integrated telehealth and behavioral health-specific EHR templates
- User-friendly mobile app for on-the-go scheduling and charting
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can strain small solo practices
- Occasional learning curve for advanced billing features
- Limited customization options for highly specialized counseling workflows
Best For
Mid-sized counseling practices prioritizing efficient billing, insurance reimbursements, and telehealth integration.
Pricing
Starts at $140/provider/month for core billing; full EHR suite from $300+/provider/month; custom quotes for enterprises.
Valant
specializedBehavioral health EHR with practice management, outcome measurement tools, and telepsychiatry for counselors and therapists.
Valant Intelligence analytics dashboard for real-time practice performance and outcomes insights
Valant is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) and practice management software designed specifically for behavioral health providers, including counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists. It streamlines clinical documentation, appointment scheduling, billing, telehealth sessions, and outcomes measurement using behavioral health-specific templates and tools. The platform emphasizes compliance with HIPAA and supports solo to enterprise-level practices with integrated analytics for practice performance.
Pros
- Specialized behavioral health templates and outcomes tracking tools
- Robust integrated billing and revenue cycle management
- Reliable telehealth and mobile accessibility
Cons
- Steep learning curve for customization and advanced features
- Higher pricing without transparent tiers
- Occasional reports of customer support delays
Best For
Mid-sized behavioral health practices needing comprehensive EHR with strong billing integration.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing, typically $300-$500 per provider per month, with setup fees and add-ons for telehealth or analytics.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed counselor software, the top three—SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, and TheraNest—lead with standout features, each addressing unique practice needs. SimplePractice claims the top spot as the most comprehensive all-in-one solution, integrating scheduling, telehealth, billing, and progress notes effortlessly. TherapyNotes and TheraNest are strong alternatives, with TherapyNotes focusing on secure EHR design and TheraNest offering robust behavioral health management, ensuring there’s an ideal fit for various practices.
Explore SimplePractice to discover a fully integrated platform that streamlines operations and elevates client care—don’t settle for less than the best.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison