What software do therapists and counselors use to manage patient notes and billing?

Therapists and counselors typically use **specialized mental health EHR / practice management systems** that combine client notes, scheduling, and billing in one HIPAA‑compliant platform, rather than generic billing or note‑taking tools.[4][7]

Commonly used types of software and leading examples:

- **All‑in‑one therapy EHR / practice management platforms**

These are the most common because they handle **clinical notes + scheduling + billing/claims** in one system.[4][5][7]

Widely used options include:

- **SimplePractice** – Popular with solo and small group practices; offers progress notes and treatment plans, client portal, telehealth, insurance billing, and credit card payments.[1][3]

- **TherapyNotes** – Behavioral‑health‑specific EHR with rich templates for psychotherapy notes, treatment plans, scheduling, patient portal, and integrated insurance billing and claims management.[1][3][6]

- **TheraNest** – Known for affordability; includes session notes, customizable treatment plans, scheduling, and basic billing features for smaller practices.[1]

- **ICANotes** – Built specifically for behavioral health; provides structured therapy note templates, over 100 rating scales, integrated billing, claims submission, eligibility checks, and payment processing.[4]

- **TheraPlatform** – All‑in‑one EHR and teletherapy platform that supports documentation, note entry, scheduling, and billing in a HIPAA‑compliant system.[5]

- **Sessions Health** – Therapist‑designed mental health EHR covering scheduling, notes, billing, telehealth, and client portal in one HIPAA‑compliant system.[8]

- **Therapy Partner** – Practice management for behavioral health that streamlines appointment scheduling, therapy notes, and integrated credit card billing.[9]

- **Valant** – Mental‑health‑specific EHR that unifies patient records and billing, often used by larger or multi‑clinician practices.[1]

- **AI‑assisted or newer EHR platforms**

- **Upheal** – AI‑native EHR for therapists that automatically drafts notes from sessions, with configurable templates (SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP), plus scheduling, telehealth, invoices, superbills, and credit card billing.[2]

- **Billing‑focused tools used alongside EHRs**

Some practices pair clinical documentation in one system with dedicated billing software, especially when dealing with high volumes of insurance claims.[1][7] Examples:

- **Kareo** – Web‑based medical/behavioral health billing and practice management platform with strong tools for insurance claims, reporting, and managing overdue accounts.[1][3]

- **TheraBill** – Cloud billing tool that also provides customizable therapy note templates and scheduling while handling insurance and billing claims.[3]

- Specialty billing tools (e.g., for SLPs) like **ClinicNote** focus on claims, superbills, and EDI workflows.[10]

- **What these systems typically include**

Most therapy‑specific platforms provide:

- **Notes & documentation:** Progress notes, intake notes, treatment plans, and sometimes rating scales and outcomes measures.[3][4][5]

- **Scheduling & reminders:** Appointment calendars, automated reminders, and telehealth links.[1][3][4]

- **Billing & revenue cycle:** Client invoices, superbills, insurance claims (EDI), ERAs, co‑pay collection, and stored credit cards.[1][3][4][8]

- **Client portal & telehealth:** Secure messaging, document sharing, intake forms, and HIPAA‑compliant video sessions.[1][2][4][5][8]

If you share your practice type (solo vs group, insurance vs private pay, in‑person vs telehealth), I can narrow this to a short list of 2–3 platforms that best fit your use case.