5 tech products every therapist needs to know
If you’ve read our guide to starting a private practice, you should already know that creating the therapy practice of your dreams is totally within reach.
That said, once you have the big picture in place, there are always details to work out.
Technology can be a huge help in taking care of those details. In this blog post, we are talking about tech. We’ll share our most helpful recommendations for all your software and tech needs in a counseling private practice.
No more aimless Google searching with no helpful results. We’ve got you covered!
What tech platforms do you need as a therapist in Private Practice?
Here are the 5 platforms you need to look into to set yourself up for success in a therapy private practice:
Email Platform*
Phone System
Electronic Health Record
Website
Computer/Laptop
*PLATFORM = A technology asset (i.e. Google Workspace, Computer, EHR) that improves your workflow and streamlines your business.
Email platform for therapists in private practice
In 2022, most clients will communicate with you over email or text. If you are working with teen or Gen Z clients, forget about a phone call! Private practice therapists need a solid email platform in place in order to effectively communicate and schedule sessions with your ideal clients.
Julie and Lindsey both use Google Workspace for their businesses. With the “Business Starter” plan, for $6/month they have access to: custom and secure business email, 100 participant video meetings, 30 GB storage, security and management controls, and tech support.
Gmail works. There’s no hair pulling or sighing at the outdated technology. It is more than worth the $6/month, and if you end up setting up a Squarespace website, you can connect and set up your Gmail account directly through their platform.
Google Workspace is not HIPAA compliant, so if you are sending confidential client information, you’ll want to do that through your EHR system. Otherwise, Google is more than okay for scheduling and networking!
Email Signature
You’ll also want to make sure you have an email signature that directs potential clients to your services. Here’s what to list in an email signature:
Name, licenses, and pronouns
Website
Social media
Phone number
Link to your calendar if you do online scheduling
Logo
Check out Julie’s signature, with the logo designed by Lindsey (of course!)
2. Phone system
Keeping your personal information separate from your private practice is crucial for healthy boundaries. To keep your personal phone number private, we recommend Google Voice.
If you are not communicating confidential information with clients on the phone, you don’t actually need a HIPAA secure platform. Google Voice is a great option for texts and phone calls. Set boundaries with your text correspondence and keep confidential information to your EHR and in person! It’s a great way to set up boundaries and keep things strictly business on the phone.
3. Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Getting an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in place is KEY for setting your private practice up smoothly. Ideally, you’ll want an EHR that does the following:
Schedules appointments
Stores notes
Sends Superbills
Keeps demographic information
Collects payments and transfers them to your business bank account
Reminds clients of appointments
Secures messaging to clients
Allows for an electronic intake process
Julie uses Simple Practice in her therapy practice. For her, it does everything listed above and makes managing the business side of things easy. If you’d like to test out Simple Practice, here’s a referral code*
For others, Simple Practice isn’t the best fit. To see other EHR options for therapists in private practice, click HERE.
*this is an affiliate link, so thank you!
4. Therapist Website
At this point (we’re writing this in 2022), you absolutely need a website to run a private practice. Websites have essentially become business cards. This is how clients, colleagues, family members, and peers will share your information.
Your website doesn’t have to be fancy or over the top, just something that shares the best way to contact you and schedule an appointment. Something that lets clients know your vibes and helps them assess if you’re a good fit for them is a plus.
If you are looking for a more in-depth website—which we recommend—our website templates are perfect for that.
You’ll want to advertise your business with growth in mind. Don’t stay small. Sure, a simple website will do for now, but eventually, you want to share more of yourself on the internet.
Clients and potential connections for speaking opportunities, networking, partnerships, and side projects will all go to your website to learn more about you. Create a website with growth in mind.
What is the best therapy website?
The best therapy website is a website that speaks about YOU. It showcases your personality, your brand, your special something. It makes you stand out among the trees and speaks to your ideal client.
What makes a good therapy website?
Your website exists to tell your story in a manner that resonates directly with your ideal client’s 'why.' The goal is to have them KNOW, LIKE and TRUST YOU and to ultimately book a call with you.
Three Key Things for a Therapist’s Website Copy
The Story: This is the big WHY for why you exist in the therapy space. No one else is like you because YOU are YOU and you are unique as f*ck. We love ya for it!
Why It Matters: Take your story and your lived experiences into your user’s journey. They need to see themselves in you. Let them know YOU GET IT.
Call To Action: This is the money maker. The final stage in the journey of your ideal clients' decision-making process. Make it very EASY & CLEAR for them to book with you.
5. Computer and/or Laptop
Finally, invest in a good computer or laptop for your business. This will make you more efficient as a therapist and allow you to focus on what you love. If you are doing virtual-only therapy practice, this is key.
Additional technology for therapists in private practice
Now that you have the technology piece in place, there’s always the opportunity to level up and really set your practice apart. Here are the other resources that therapists use (written for a virtual practice).
Ring light
Comfortable chair
Note taking system
Flodesk* or email marketing
Zoom
Image compressor (tiny png)
Canva
Accounting (Quickbooks, Wave)
Spotify—feel good music for the soul :)
*Affiliate link for a LIFETIME deal of 50% off our favorite email service!!
Next Up
We’ll write a blog post on additional tech products above soon, but for all you overachievers out there…enjoy!
LINDSEY FREEMAN is the Founder and Creative Director of PLAY & PUBLIC, a digital design studio specializing in Branding & SQUARESPACE DEVELOPMENT. Play & Public is a brand where ‘Play’ is how we exist in every moment as we strive to serve the ‘Public’ in making the world a better place through turning kickass brand stories into killer visuals.