Best therapy notes software

The best therapy notes software helps therapists create, organize, and securely store clinical documentation, including progress notes, assessments, treatment plans, and discharge summaries.

Many platforms also offer customizable templates, AI-assisted documentation, and integrations with scheduling, billing, and telehealth.

This guide compares TheraPlatform, SimplePractice, and TherapyNotes to help therapists find software that fits their documentation needs, practice size, and budget.

TheraPlatform, SimplePractice, and TherapyNotes documentation software comparison

TheraPlatform, SimplePractice, and TherapyNotes all offer clinical documentation tools, including progress notes, treatment plans, and note templates.

However, they differ in subscription pricing, customization options, AI-assisted documentation, and access to advanced features.

• TheraPlatform offers customizable documentation and a template builder, with Wiley Treatment Planner available as a paid add-on.
• SimplePractice includes customizable progress note templates and Wiley Treatment Planners on its Essential and Plus plans.
• TherapyNotes also supports customizable progress notes and provides a template builder, along with optional AI documentation through TherapyFuel.

When comparing these platforms, consider not only which features are available but also which subscription tier or additional fees are required.

Therapy notes software pricing

Benefits of using the best therapy notes software

Most electronic health record programs (EHRs) contain therapy notes software. The software is an electronic version of handwritten paper notes, forms, assessments, and other documentation.

Therapy notes software programs allow users to use a computer, tablet, or smartphone to enter data in the client’s medical record. 

The best therapy notes software can also improve the efficiency of your practice and streamline processes for you.

Therapy notes software can support your practice through:

• Eliminating the need for endless filing of paperwork
• Allowing for easier reading of documentation (no illegible handwriting)
• Improving compliance with documentation standards by creating necessary components on forms (e.g., dates, signatures, diagnoses, times of sessions)
• Integrating progress notes with treatment planning software, such as the Wiley Practice Planner
• Securing and encrypting therapy notes
• Obtaining electronic signatures from providers and clients 

Features to consider for the best therapy notes software

The best therapy notes software programs offer a wide array of features and benefits. Some of the features may come as a standard component of the software included in the monthly subscription. Some features may be upgrades or add-on features.

How EHRs can help with documentation

Modern EHR/practice management platforms (such as TheraPlatform) can streamline documentation by providing HIPAA‑compliant, integrated systems for note entry, storage, scheduling, and billing.

They allow therapists to:

• Use and customize templates (e.g., SOAP, DAP, and others) or build their own to streamline note writing and ensure consistency.
• Link notes to treatment plans, goals, and session history so client progress is easily tracked over time.
• Utilize e-fax and secure document sharing via client portal to safely exchange information with clients or other providers while maintaining confidentiality.
• Leverage dictation and telehealth transcription, which can automatically convert sessions into therapy or assessment notes, saving time and reducing manual entry.
• Take advantage of AI features that streamline documentation by automatically populating intake form data into assessment templates and generating complete therapy and assessment notes from the information you provide, all with a single click.

Meanwhile, AI‑assisted note tools are emerging which can further help clinicians by:

• Automatically transcribing session audio (if permitted) and highlighting key moments (e.g. emotional shifts, major themes).
• Suggesting draft notes or filling in objective or assessment sections based on observed data, freeing up clinicians’ time.
• Supporting consistency and reducing missing components in notes, which helps from clinical, legal, and insurance perspectives.

Together, structured SOAP‑type notes, good EHR platforms, and smart AI support tools can support more efficient workflows, consistent documentation, and accountability.

Some of the common features of therapy notes software include:

Standard templates: Many of the best therapy notes software programs offer templates for forms, notes, and assessment tools. With the standard templates, you simply log onto your program and begin using the templates.

Templates might include:

• Intake forms 
• Progress notes 
• Initial assessments
• Treatment plans
• Discharge summaries

The best therapy notes software might also include standard templates for different types of progress notes:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Couples work
• Family therapy

Customizable templates: With customizable templates, you can create forms and documents that suit your practice's needs. For example, you can create an assessment with the specific questions needed for your niche or a progress note that includes the information you want in your notes. 

Secure storage: A therapy notes software program should provide you with HIPAA-level secure storage for your client record. Each user should have private and secure access to the program. The company should also offer a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for you. 

Simplified documentation processes: The best therapy notes software program can make it easier and less stressful to create and maintain your treatment-related documentation.

Software can offer features such as:

• Integration of DSM and ICD diagnostic codes into notes, assessments, treatment plans, etc.
• Electronic signatures
• Supervisory reviews and co-signatures 
• Tracking client progress on notes and treatment plans
• Integration with Wiley Practice Planners to simplify treatment planning and progress note writing
• Drop-down menus 
• Checkboxes
• Integration with note-taking apps 
• Transcription of handwritten electronic notes (using a stylus) and input of the notes directly into the therapy notes software
• Ability to review the client’s history while concurrently writing the current note
• Easily look up and integrate correct CPT codes into the progress note
• A mobile app that allows you to create, enter, and upload documentation

Easily share therapy notes: Therapy notes software should simplify the process of sharing documentation with others within the practice, as well as sending documentation outside of the practice. 

Within the office, approved staff and providers can have secured access to the software, which would allow access to the client’s medical records. Administrative staff can access the therapy notes when appropriate and necessary. Other clinicians on the treatment team can review therapy notes from another provider. Or, in a group practice, if the client transfers from one therapist to another, the new therapist can easily access the client’s history. 

When an outside provider or organization requests records, therapy notes software can simplify sharing the requested documentation. Some of the best therapy notes software offer the features of branding the documentation with personal brand information as well as contact information for the practice. Some offer the feature of downloading all the progress notes into one pdf document with a specified date range of services. 

How to select the best therapy notes software for your private practice

With all of the potential features and competitor vendors, selecting the best software for your practice may seem like an overwhelming process. It is important to consider the features that would help you most in your practice.

When comparing features, you might want to think about the specifics of your practice such as:

• Are you a solo practitioner or a group practice?

• Do you have plans to expand your practice?

• Do you offer specialized services that would impact what features you would like to have?

• Do you have a telehealth practice, in-person practice, or hybrid?

• Do you take insurance or provide superbills for out-of-network billing?

Based on your current practice and the vision for your practice, you may need certain features of your therapy notes software program in a monthly package. For example, a group practice would likely serve more clients than a solo practice. A group practice would need a monthly package that allows for greater caseloads. A group practice would also need a package that allows access to more than one clinician. 

It is also important to work within your budget. Most software programs designed for counseling practices offer a monthly subscription package. It gives you the freedom to upgrade levels as you grow the practice or decide to downgrade. 

The decision to utilize a therapy notes software program can eliminate unnecessary tasks from your private practice to-do list. You can spend less time collecting, writing, and maintaining necessary documentation related to your client’s record. Taking the time to compare different programs, engage in a demo with the sales representative, and try them out for the free trial period can help you to make a more informed decision on which therapy notes software program to choose for your practice.

Practice Management + EHR + Telehealth

Mange more in less time in your practice with TheraPlatform

Start Free Trial

Comparing the best therapy notes software

TheraPlatform notes vs. SimplePractice vs. TherapyNotes

When considering the best therapy notes software, it’s critical to understand how they differ in terms of cost and flexibility.

TheraPlatform offers customizable therapy note templates, the ability to build templates from scratch, and integrated documentation workflows that help therapists create and manage clinical records.

Custom documentation is available across all subscription plans, with the Wiley Treatment Planner offered as a paid add-on.

These features are important for therapists with niche practices who need to build templates to suit their practice needs and will likely need more customization. Other therapists may simply have their own preferred way of documenting.

And as health insurance’s documentation requirements change, the ability to build and edit note templates offers an advantage. Let’s take a look at the major competitors to see how they stack up.

TheraPlatform notes

• Customizable note templates and the ability to build templates from scratch
• Custom documentation available across subscription plans
• Wiley Treatment Planner is available as a paid add-on
• Optional AI-assisted documentation

SimplePractice notes

• Customizable progress notes and documentation templates
• Wiley Treatment Planners are included
• Documentation features and customization options vary by subscription tier
• Optional AI-assisted documentation

TherapyNotes notes

• Customizable progress notes and a template builder
• Structured clinical documentation and treatment planning
• Goal and progress tracking
• Optional AI-assisted documentation through TherapyFuel

Resources

TheraPlatform is an all-in-one EHR, practice management, and teletherapy software with AI-powered notes built for therapists to help them save time on admin tasks. It offers a 30-day risk-free trial with no credit card required and supports mental and behavioral health, SLPs, OTs, and PTs in group and solo practices.

More resources

• Therapy resources and worksheets
• Therapy private practice courses
• Ultimate teletherapy ebook
• The Ultimate Insurance Billing Guide for Therapists
• The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Private Therapy Practice
• Insurance billing 101
• Practice management tools

Free video classes

• Free on-demand insurance billing for therapist course
• Free mini video lessons to enhance your private practice
• 9 Admin tasks to automate in your private practice