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Navigating the world of mental health requires not just compassion, but also the best tools at our disposal. The magic of a great EHR is its potential to streamline workflows, enhance the coordination of care, and ultimately elevate the patient experience.

Now, I get it. Paperwork can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and a distraction from your core mission - patient care. Missed appointments, lost patient records, billing issues - we've all been there. But here's the good news: the right EHR can alleviate these hassles and transform the way you work. Now, let's explore some of the best mental health EHR options available—because, trust me, the right EHR could be a game-changer for your practice.

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Best Mental Health EHR Systems Summary

Best Mental Health EHR Systems Reviews

Best for multidisciplinary practices needing robust functionality

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 5/5

NextGen offers an EHR solution that excels in providing an extensive range of functionalities designed to support multidisciplinary mental health practices. If your team needs a diverse set of features and powerful tools to manage different aspects of your practice, NextGen is the one to consider.

Why I Picked NextGen:

I picked NextGen because it goes beyond basic EHR functionality to provide a wide-ranging toolkit for practices. It truly stands out due to the breadth and depth of its features. From my perspective, NextGen is the best fit for multidisciplinary teams because it has a robust set of tools that cater to a variety of disciplines within a single platform.

Standout Features and Integrations:

NextGen's impressive list of features includes electronic prescribing, telehealth services, client portal, and sophisticated data analytics. Each of these tools plays a critical role in delivering a comprehensive service to clients and managing the complexities of a multidisciplinary practice.

NextGen also offers a wide range of integrations with lab systems, pharmacies, billing solutions, and other healthcare software, which can significantly streamline the operations of a busy practice.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable to meet specific needs of different disciplines
  • Wide range of integrations for seamless operations
  • Comprehensive suite of tools to manage various aspects of a practice

Cons:

  • Limited options for mobile access can affect flexibility
  • Higher starting price may be a barrier for smaller practices
  • Steeper learning curve due to the wide array of features

Best for customizable mental health documentation

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 5/5

Athenahealth offers a cloud-based healthcare platform called athenaOne, which integrates various software and services to improve clinical effectiveness, patient experience, and financial performance for healthcare providers. 

Why I Picked Athenahealth:

I like its simplified documentation process, which includes best-practice templates, macros, and accelerators. These tools significantly reduce the time clinicians spend on documentation, allowing them to focus more on patient care. The platform also offers specialty-specific workflows and real-time patient insights, which are crucial for mental health professionals who need to quickly access and interpret patient data to make informed decisions.

Standout Features and Integrations:

Other standout features include a customizable EHR, revenue cycle management, communication and care tools for patient relationship building, an easy-to-read summary of patient records, smart workflow delegation, and data exchange with external healthcare entities.

Integrations include NextPatient, DocResponse, Yosi Health, Secondwave, Recovery Plus, TSI, VaxCare, Fullscript, QueueDr, and CallMyDoc. It also offers API access for custom integrations.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Wide range of features, including billing, practice management, and patient engagement tools
  • Cloud-based system for remote access
  • Customizable templates for various medical specialties

Cons:

  • Due to its extensive features, new users may experience a learning curve
  • Limited customization options for certain workflows

Best for real-time access to patient health records

  • Free demo available
  • From $110/month/provider
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Rating: 4.2/5

RXNT is a cloud-based software solution designed for healthcare professionals and organizations, offering a suite of tools including electronic health records (EHR), practice management, patient scheduling, medical billing, and electronic prescribing (eRx).  

Why I Picked RXNT:

Its cloud-based EHR allows for real-time access to patient health records, including charts, lab results, and prescription histories. This feature is particularly beneficial for mental health professionals who need to have immediate access to comprehensive patient information to make informed decisions during consultations. Additionally, the system includes customizable templates and Smart Forms, which simplify the documentation process, ensuring that patient records are accurate and up-to-date.

Standout Features and Integrations:

Other standout features include telehealth services, mobile app access, and a patient portal for patients to access their health records, pay bills, and communicate securely with their healthcare providers. It also offers reporting and appointment scheduling with automated reminders.

Integrations include other healthcare tools like Hospice Tools, Exym, EMSOW, and OneMD.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable templates
  • Full suite of healthcare features
  • Effective e-prescribing capability

Cons:

  • Could offer more detailed reporting capabilities
  • Navigation can be a bit complex

Best behavioral health EHR software

  • From $45/user/month
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Rating: 3.7/5

Valant is a cloud-based EHR platform specifically designed for behavioral health practitioners. It provides an extensive suite of features in a secure, online environment, thus justifying why it's the best choice for a cloud-based, feature-rich experience.

Why I Picked Valant:

I selected Valant for this list due to its cloud-based nature and a comprehensive feature set. The flexibility and convenience of being able to access records and data from anywhere is a standout aspect of Valant. This coupled with its rich set of features makes it best for a feature-rich, cloud-based experience.

Standout Features and Integrations:

Valant's features include practice management tools, billing and reporting capabilities, and secure patient portal. The practice management tools are particularly notable, including appointment scheduling, to-do lists, and notifications.

For integrations, Valant integrates with several major health systems and electronic health records, providing seamless data transfer and streamlined workflows.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integrates with major health systems
  • Comprehensive feature set
  • Cloud-based for flexible access

Cons:

  • No native telehealth functionality
  • Learning curve for some features
  • Higher price point for additional features

Best for a comprehensive suite of EHR tools addressing diverse needs

  • From $10/user/month (billed annually)

Core is a robust mental health EHR software solution designed to streamline operations and improve patient outcomes in mental health facilities. Its comprehensive feature set covers a range of needs including patient management, scheduling, and detailed documentation.

Why I Picked Core:

In compiling this list, I was particularly drawn to Core for its extensive toolset that caters to multiple facets of mental health care. Core distinguishes itself with a holistic suite of features that addresses diverse needs, from intake to discharge, and everything in between. This comprehensive nature makes it stand out as an exceptional choice for facilities that require an all-encompassing solution. I selected it as 'Best for a comprehensive suite of EHR tools addressing diverse needs' because of its impressive scope of features that comprehensively address the broad needs of mental health practitioners.

Standout Features and Integrations:

Core provides a host of key features that make it a formidable player in the mental health EHR space. Its patient management tools are adept at organizing patient information efficiently. Its scheduling module helps ensure smooth operations, and its robust documentation capabilities facilitate comprehensive record-keeping. Additionally, it offers customizable treatment plans and a robust billing system.

Core also provides crucial integrations that enhance its utility. It can seamlessly connect with various billing systems and medical coding databases, easing the process of claims submission. It also integrates with telehealth platforms, expanding the possibilities for remote consultations.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Robust billing system
  • Customizable treatment plans
  • Comprehensive suite of EHR tools

Cons:

  • Integration with some third-party apps may be complex
  • Pricing can increase with additional modules
  • May require a learning curve for beginners

Best for flexible mental health practice management, particularly for billing and revenue cycle management

  • From $149/user/month

Procentive is a comprehensive Electronic Health Records (EHR) system designed for mental health professionals. It offers robust features that help streamline scheduling, documentation, and notably, billing and revenue cycle management.

Why I Picked Procentive:

I picked Procentive for this list because of its comprehensive and flexible billing system, which stands out in the market. This, combined with its other management features, makes it an excellent tool for mental health practices that want to streamline their revenue management while maintaining other aspects of their practice.

Standout Features and Integrations:

Procentive offers an extensive set of features, including customizable documentation, automatic claim tracking, and an intuitive scheduling system. But its most standout feature is the comprehensive billing and revenue cycle management system, which can greatly reduce the administrative burden for mental health practices.

Procentive also offers integrations with numerous other software systems, including major EHRs and insurance providers, ensuring smooth data exchange and efficient workflows.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Numerous software integrations
  • Customizable documentation
  • Comprehensive billing and revenue cycle management

Cons:

  • Smaller practices might find the cost prohibitive
  • Training may be required to fully utilize the platform
  • The user interface may be less intuitive than some competitors

Best for high-speed EHR solutions with intuitive user interface

  • From $45/user/month

Lightning Step is an Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform designed for efficiency and simplicity. Its high-speed processing and intuitive user interface set it apart in the busy landscape of EHR systems, hence why it’s perfect for those seeking a solution that won't slow them down.

Why I Picked Lightning Step:

I selected Lightning Step because of its clear focus on speed and user-friendly design. This EHR tool prioritizes making work easier for healthcare providers, which is a compelling selling point in a profession where time truly counts. In my opinion, its dedication to efficient operation and an intuitive user interface gives it an edge and makes it best for those who want their EHR solution to be quick and easy to navigate.

Standout Features and Integrations:

Lightning Step offers features such as appointment scheduling, telehealth services, and detailed reporting to assist in managing your mental health practice efficiently. These features tie directly into its promise of speed and simplicity, enhancing the user experience.

Lightning Step also boasts an array of integrations with major healthcare and productivity platforms. These include options for billing, telehealth, and customer relationship management tools that can further enhance the efficiency of your practice.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Wide range of integrations to suit various workflows
  • Intuitive user interface makes navigation easy
  • High-speed processing for efficient work

Cons:

  • Support hours are limited, which may affect resolution time for issues
  • Telehealth services are an add-on, increasing the cost
  • Limited customizability may not fit all practice needs

Best for all-in-one solution with customizable workflows

  • Pricing upon request

Sunwave provides a unified software platform aimed at substance abuse treatment centers. It encompasses all aspects of operations from admissions to alumni management, with a strong emphasis on customizable workflows for streamlining processes across the board.

Why I Picked Sunwave:

In comparing various platforms, Sunwave emerged as a strong candidate due to its comprehensive feature set designed specifically for substance abuse treatment centers. What sets it apart from the rest is its capability to customize workflows, fitting different needs and processes within a facility. That’s why I determined it's best for those seeking an all-in-one solution with a focus on customization.

Standout Features and Integrations:

Sunwave's platform offers a robust set of features including electronic health records, patient charting, CRM, billing, and analytics. The standout is its workflow customization, which allows treatment centers to tailor the software to their unique operational processes.

The platform integrates with numerous other software, enabling data exchange for smoother and more efficient workflows. Important integrations include insurance verification systems and laboratory information systems.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Wide array of integrations
  • Highly customizable workflows
  • Comprehensive feature set tailored to substance abuse treatment centers

Cons:

  • Customization may require more setup time and effort
  • Might be overly complex for smaller facilities
  • Pricing isn't transparent

Best for dedicated psychiatric care with customizable features

  • From $99/user/month (billed annually)

Psychiatry-Cloud is an Electronic Health Records (EHR) software that's custom-tailored for the unique needs of psychiatrists. It offers comprehensive clinical content for psychiatrists, seamless insurance billing, e-prescribing, and more, making it a robust tool for mental health professionals.

Why I Picked Psychiatry-Cloud:

I chose Psychiatry-Cloud because of its commitment to serving the unique needs of psychiatrists. Its customizable features stand out and allow psychiatrists to tailor the system according to their specific requirements. This adaptability makes it the best choice for psychiatric care providers seeking customizable features.

Standout Features and Integrations:

Some of the noteworthy features of Psychiatry-Cloud include customizable templates, inbuilt Psychiatry specific codes, and a robust appointment scheduling system. These features can help psychiatrists streamline their practice while providing quality care.

As for integrations, Psychiatry-Cloud is capable of integrating with numerous lab and pharmacy systems. This helps in smooth coordination of patient care.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integration with pharmacy and lab systems
  • Robust appointment scheduling system
  • Customizable features for psychiatrists

Cons:

  • Customer support may sometimes be slow in responding
  • The user interface might take some time to navigate
  • Pricing might be high for individual practitioners

Best for therapy-centric electronic medical records

  • Free demo available
  • From $80/month (for 1 user)

ClinicSource provides an EHR solution that's finely-tuned to meet the needs of therapy practices. It's designed with a clear understanding of the specific challenges and requirements that therapists face daily, which is why it's the best for therapy-centric medical records.ClinicSource provides an EHR solution that's finely-tuned to meet the needs of therapy practices. It's designed with a clear understanding of the specific challenges and requirements that therapists face daily, which is why it's the best for therapy-centric medical records.

Why I Picked ClinicSource:

I chose ClinicSource because of its tailored approach to therapy practices. It is not just a general EHR software, but a system designed specifically for therapists. In a market that often overlooks this niche, ClinicSource stands out, offering features that genuinely assist therapists and make their work easier and more efficient.

Standout Features and Integrations:

The features of ClinicSource include therapy documentation, scheduling, billing, and patient records – all designed with therapists in mind. They have built-in templates for various therapy disciplines, which can save considerable time and help maintain consistency across patient records.

As for integrations, ClinicSource can seamlessly work with billing and insurance claim software. This integration helps in streamlining the financial side of the practice, reducing the administrative burden on therapists.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Affordable starting price
  • Offers built-in templates for various therapy disciplines
  • Designed specifically for therapists

Cons:

  • Customer support could use improvement
  • Less suited for non-therapy medical practices
  • More advanced features might require additional payment

Other Mental Health EHR Tools

Below is a list of additional mental health EHR that I shortlisted, but did not make it to the top 10. Definitely worth checking them out.

  1. Therapy iQ

    For streamlining administrative tasks in a therapy practice

  2. Therapy Brands

    For integrating mental health and substance use recovery

  3. Greenspace

    For data-driven decision making in mental health practices

  4. SimplePractice

    For user-friendly and efficient therapy practice management

  5. Therapy Notes

    Good for detailed note-taking capabilities in therapy sessions

  6. ClinicMind

    Good for intuitive care navigation with integrated practice management

  7. Medsphere

    Good for integrated billing and scheduling in mental health facilities

  8. Luma

    Good for enhancing patient engagement through automated reminders

  9. Aprima EHR

    Good for comprehensive EHR capabilities designed specifically for mental health

  10. echoVantage EHR

    Good for behavioral health practices needing configurable software solutions

  11. Thera Platform

    Good for providing telehealth services in mental health practices

Mental Health EHR Selection Criteria

When selecting the best mental health EHR to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like ensuring patient data security and improving clinical workflow efficiency. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair: 

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Manage patient records
  • Schedule appointments
  • Handle billing and invoicing
  • Ensure data security
  • Facilitate telehealth services

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Customizable treatment plans
  • Advanced analytics and reporting
  • Integrated patient portals
  • Mobile app accessibility
  • Compliance with specific regulations

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive user interface
  • Easy navigation
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Responsive design
  • Clear layout and design

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Access to interactive product tours
  • Use of chatbots for guidance
  • Comprehensive webinars
  • Availability of setup templates

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • 24/7 support availability
  • Access to a knowledge base
  • Response time
  • Availability of live chat
  • Quality of support documentation

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Range of features offered
  • Flexibility of pricing plans
  • Cost-effectiveness for small practices
  • Discounts for annual billing

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Overall satisfaction ratings
  • Feedback on feature usefulness
  • Comments on ease of use
  • Reports on customer service quality
  • Insights on reliability and uptime

How to Choose a Mental Health EHR

It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityCan the software grow with your practice? Consider whether it supports additional users and increased data storage without significant cost increases.
IntegrationsDoes it connect with your existing tools? Look for native integrations with billing systems, telehealth platforms, and other software you already use.
CustomizabilityCan you tailor it to fit your workflows? Ensure you can adjust templates, forms, and modules to match your practice's specific needs.
Ease of useIs the interface intuitive for your team? A user-friendly design reduces training time and helps avoid frustration, boosting overall productivity.
Implementation and onboardingHow long will it take to get started? Check if the vendor offers training sessions, setup assistance, and resources to ease the transition.
CostIs it within your budget? Compare pricing tiers and what's included. Consider potential hidden costs like add-ons or transaction fees.
Security safeguardsHow does it protect patient data? Ensure compliance with HIPAA and look for features like encryption, regular backups, and user access controls.
Support availabilityWhen can you get help? Verify the availability of customer support and whether it aligns with your practice's hours and needs.

What Is Mental Health EHR?

Mental health EHR is electronic health record software designed specifically for mental health practitioners. Therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists typically use these tools to manage patient records, appointments, and billing. Scheduling, note-taking, and telehealth capabilities help with organizing patient care, improving efficiency, and ensuring secure data management. These tools provide value by simplifying administrative tasks, allowing professionals to focus more on patient care.

Features of Mental Health EHR

When selecting mental health EHR, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • Patient records management: Organizes and stores patient information securely, making it easily accessible for healthcare providers.
  • Scheduling and appointments: Streamlines the process of booking and managing patient visits, reducing scheduling conflicts.
  • Billing and invoicing: Automates financial transactions and generates invoices, simplifying the billing process for practitioners.
  • Telehealth capabilities: Enables remote consultations, expanding access to care for patients who can't visit in person.
  • Data security: Ensures compliance with regulations like HIPAA, protecting sensitive patient information from unauthorized access.
  • Customizable templates: Allows practitioners to tailor forms and notes to suit specific clinical needs and workflows.
  • Analytics and reporting: Provides insights into practice performance, helping practitioners make informed decisions.
  • Patient portals: Offers patients access to their own health information and appointment scheduling, improving engagement.
  • Note-taking features: Simplifies the documentation process, ensuring accurate and comprehensive patient records.
  • Integration options: Connects with existing tools like billing systems and telehealth platforms, enhancing overall practice efficiency.

Benefits of Mental Health EHR

Implementing mental health EHR provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Improved efficiency: Automates administrative tasks like scheduling and billing, freeing up time for patient care.
  • Enhanced patient care: Provides quick access to comprehensive patient records, enabling more informed treatment decisions.
  • Better data security: Protects sensitive patient information with compliance features, reducing the risk of data breaches.
  • Increased accessibility: Telehealth capabilities allow you to reach patients who can't attend in-person appointments.
  • Streamlined communication: Patient portals enhance communication between providers and patients, fostering engagement.
  • Customizable workflows: Tailors templates and forms to your practice's needs, improving workflow and documentation accuracy.
  • Insightful analytics: Offers detailed reporting, helping you track practice performance and identify areas for improvement.

Costs and Pricing of Mental Health EHR

Selecting mental health EHR requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in mental health EHR solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for Mental Health EHR

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Basic scheduling, limited patient records, and essential note-taking.
Personal Plan$20-$50/user/monthAppointment scheduling, patient records management, and basic billing.
Business Plan$50-$100/user/monthAdvanced scheduling, comprehensive patient records, billing and invoicing, and telehealth.
Enterprise Plan$100-$200/user/monthCustomizable templates, advanced analytics, full integration options, and premium support.

Mental Health EHR (FAQs)

What are the benefits of using mental health EHR tools?

Mental health EHR tools offer numerous benefits including efficient record-keeping with customizable note templates, integrated billing for streamlined financial management, and secure messaging for HIPAA-compliant communications. They also provide features like e-prescribing and teletherapy support that modernize and enhance the delivery of mental health care. Additionally, patient portal features promote active patient involvement in their care, while robust reporting helps practitioners make data-driven decisions.

How much do these mental health EHR tools cost?

The cost of mental health EHR tools varies widely depending on the specific features, the size of the practice, and whether it’s a cloud-based or on-premise solution. Prices can range from around $30 to over $500 per user per month.

What are the pricing models for these tools?

The common pricing models for mental health EHR tools include subscription-based pricing, usually on a per user/month basis, and one-time licensing fees, typically for on-premise solutions. Some tools also charge additional fees for setup, training, or premium features.

What is the typical range of pricing for these tools?

The typical pricing range for these tools is approximately $30 to $200 per user per month. However, the price can go higher for comprehensive solutions with advanced features or for large practices.

Which are the cheapest and most expensive software options?

At the lower end of the price scale, tools like TheraNest start from around $39 per user per month. On the higher end, tools like Valant can cost over $500 per user per month, depending on the features and number of users.

Are there any free mental health EHR software options?

While there are some EHR software options that offer free trials or free versions with limited features, most comprehensive mental health EHR tools require a paid subscription. Free versions are often limited in terms of features, storage, or number of users, and may not offer full HIPAA compliance, which is crucial in mental health care.

What should I look for in a mental health EHR software?

Key features to look for include customizable note templates, integrated billing, secure messaging, teletherapy support, e-prescribing, a patient portal, robust reporting, treatment plan tracking, role-based access, and mobile access.

Is it difficult to transition to a new EHR software?

The transition to a new EHR software requires some effort, but many providers offer comprehensive onboarding support and training to make the process smoother. This might include data migration assistance, live training sessions, and readily available customer support.

What’s Next:

If you're in the process of researching mental health EHR, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.

You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.s that should be on this list, please feel free to share them. Your input can help make this resource even more valuable for those in the mental health field. Thank you!

John Payne
By John Payne

John Payne is the co-founder and company director of Symphony Health. With over 20 years of management experience John is working alongside his wife, Dr. Kate Payne to build a multi-site Medical Practice where staff work collaboratively for the good of their patients. John is passionate about improving access to quality Healthcare in North Vancouver and sharing best practice with other people managing medical practices.