7 Best Behavioral Health Apps for Clinicians

Technology integration has revolutionized behavioral health practices, providing therapists with innovative methods to optimize administrative tasks, boost client involvement, and improve therapeutic results. Behavioral health apps are more user-friendly and secure than ever, making them indispensable tools. Below is a list of the seven best behavioral health apps for therapists.

1. Best for Practice Management: SimplePractice. SimplePractice is an all-in-one practice management solution to help therapists manage their workload efficiently. Features include:

• Scheduling and Billing: Schedule appointments, send reminders, and process payments.

• A User-Friendly Client Portal: Clients can send secure messages, complete intake forms, and access documents.

• Telehealth Integration: High-quality, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing for virtual sessions.

• Secure Messaging: Facilitate HIPAA-compliant communication with clients directly through the platform, ensuring confidentiality and streamlined interactions.

• Mobile App Accessibility: Manage your practice on the go with a dedicated mobile app, allowing you to handle scheduling, notes, and client communication from your mobile device.

• Insurance Claim Filing: Simplify the insurance process with tools for creating, submitting, and tracking claims, all within the platform.

• Professional Website Integration: Build and maintain a professional online presence with an integrated website builder, helping attract and inform potential clients.

Example: Imagine you have a full day of client sessions, and your energy is drained by the thought of manually sending reminders and managing billing. You’ve decided to use SimplePractice, which automates reminders to reduce no-shows. Its integrated billing system ensures you get paid without the time or hassle of manually doing it all yourself. The telehealth feature makes it simple to see clients from the comfort of your office or home.

Tips for Use:

• Use customized progress note templates to save time and maintain consistency in documentation.

• Set up the client portal to allow clients to upload documents and complete forms before their initial session, minimizing administrative tasks during appointments.

• Schedule batch billing days to process multiple claims and payments quickly and simultaneously.

SimplePractice provides a streamlined experience that ensures you can focus more on therapy and less on administrative tasks.

2.Best for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Moodnotes. This client-facing app combines mood tracking with CBT techniques to help clients recognize and reframe negative thought patterns. Features include:

• Mood Tracking: Clients log their emotions and identify triggers.

• CBT-Based Insights: Offers suggestions to challenge cognitive distortions and replace them with healthier thoughts.

• In-App Exercises: Prompts clients to reflect on their thinking habits and create positive change.

• Face Detection for Mood Logging: Utilizes the device's camera to detect facial expressions, assisting in accurately logging moods.

• Apple Watch Compatibility: Allows for quick mood entries and tracking directly from an Apple Watch, enhancing accessibility.

• Data Privacy: Stores all data locally on the device to ensure user privacy and confidentiality.

Example: Your client, Lena, is depressed and experiences persistent negative self-talk. You ask her to track her thoughts using Moodnotes. In your next session, you review the app's insights together, discussing patterns and identifying triggers. Abstract emotional patterns become tangible and more straightforward to address.

Tips for Use:

• Encourage clients to use the app daily or during heightened emotional stress to capture relevant data.

• Use the app’s graphical insights to open conversations about thought patterns and emotional regulation in therapy.

• Pair the app with journaling exercises to deepen clients’ reflections and integrate these tools into their daily lives.

By giving clients an accessible way to track and challenge thoughts, Moodnotes supports the therapeutic process between sessions.

1. Best for Collaborative Treatment Plans: Thriveworks. Thriveworks improves communication and collaboration between therapists and clients. It offers tools to create and track treatment plans, set goals, and maintain shared progress. Features include:

• Goal Setting: Breaks long-term treatment goals into actionable steps.

• Shared Journal Feature: This enables clients to securely share reflections or updates with their therapist.

• Treatment Plan Templates: Provides evidence-based frameworks for various behavioral health challenges.

• Flexible Scheduling: Provides early morning, evening, and weekend appointments to accommodate clients' diverse schedules.

• Insurance Compatibility: Accepts over 585 insurance plans, making services more accessible and affordable for clients.

• Online and In-Person Sessions: This option offers both virtual and face-to-face therapy, allowing clients to choose their preferred mode of engagement.

• Client Portal Access: This feature enables clients to manage appointments, access documents, and communicate securely with their therapist through an intuitive online platform.

• Comprehensive Service Range: Provides therapy and psychiatry services for individuals, couples, and families, addressing various mental health needs.

Example: You’ve just started seeing a client, James, recovering from a recent traumatic event. You collaboratively set a goal to practice daily mindfulness exercises. Through Thriveworks, James logs his progress and shares journal entries about how the exercises affected his mood. You can review James’ updates, provide personalized feedback, and adjust his treatment plan as needed.

Tips for Use:

• Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) to ensure progress is trackable and meaningful.

• Use the shared journal feature to maintain a collaborative dialogue about the client’s experiences between sessions.

• Utilize the app’s pre-built templates for conditions like anxiety or depression to save time when creating treatment plans.

Thriveworks supports accountability and transparency, helping clients and therapists work together effectively.

1. Best for Client Engagement Between Sessions: Quenza. This clinician-focused app allows therapists to create and send interactive assignments to clients. Features include:

• An Activity Builder: Design customized interventions, such as mindfulness exercises, reflection prompts, or CBT skill-building activities.

• Secure Messaging: Communication is HIPAA-compliant while maintaining engagement.

• Client Progress Tracking: Monitor clients’ completion of activities and assess their effectiveness.

• Pathway Builder: Design and automate sequences of activities to guide clients through structured programs, enhancing engagement and consistency in therapeutic interventions.

• Expansion Library: Access a collection of pre-made, science-based activities and pathways, allowing for quick integration of evidence-based practices into client care.

• White Label Branding: Customize the platform with your own branding, including logo and color scheme, to provide a seamless and personalized experience for clients.

• Mobile App Accessibility: Clients can engage with activities and communicate with their therapist via a user-friendly mobile app, ensuring continuous support and interaction.

Example: After a session focused on mindfulness, you assign Dale, a client with GAD, a breathing exercise through Quenza. The app tracks whether Dale completes the activity and prompts him for feedback. In your next session, you discuss Dale’s experience and any challenges he faced, refining interventions as needed.

Tips for Use:

• Use the automated reminders to nudge clients to complete their assignments.

• Build a library of reusable activities tailored to your therapeutic approach, such as worksheets for grounding techniques or guided meditations.

• Incorporate visual aids like videos or infographics to make assignments more engaging.

Quenza bridges the gap between sessions, reinforcing therapeutic work and promoting self-directed growth.

1. Best for Anxiety and Stress Management: Sanvello. This app combines mental health tools with community support, making it ideal for clients managing anxiety and stress. The app includes:

• Guided Meditations: Includes a variety of mindfulness practices for relaxation.

• Mood Tracking and Cognitive Tools: Helps clients identify emotional patterns and build coping skills.

• Community Support: Offers access to forums where users can connect with others facing similar challenges.

• Guided Journeys: Structured self-help learning modules combining audio lessons and related activities to teach skills based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness.

• Health Tracking: Monitor various health aspects, such as sleep, exercise, and substance use, to identify patterns affecting mental well-being.

• Thought Records: Document and analyze negative thought patterns to challenge and reframe them, promoting healthier thinking habits.

• Hope Board: Create a personalized collection of positive images and quotes to inspire and uplift during challenging times.

• Goal Setting: Establish and track personal goals to foster motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Example: Alexandria struggles with panic attacks. You recommend Sanvello for its guided breathing exercises, which she can use during moments of acute anxiety. The app also tracks her mood over time, providing data that informs your therapeutic work.

Tips for Use:

• Highlight specific features for clients, such as the "calm down kit," which provides immediate stress-relief tools.

• Encourage clients to explore community forums to gain a sense of connection and normalize their experiences.

• Use the app’s tracking tools to identify triggers and patterns, integrating these insights into your treatment plan.

Sanvello empowers clients to manage their anxiety independently, complementing in-session interventions.

1. Best for Expanding Client Reach: BetterHelp for Clinicians. BetterHelp provides therapists a platform for virtual therapy, expanding access to clients nationwide. It offers:

• An Online Therapy Platform: Connects therapists with clients from diverse backgrounds.

• Client Matching: Uses algorithms to pair clients with therapists based on expertise and needs.

• Flexible Scheduling: Allows therapists to set their availability and workload.

• Multiple Communication Channels: Therapists can engage with clients through video sessions, phone calls, live chat, and unlimited messaging, providing flexibility to accommodate client preferences.

• Extensive Therapist Network: Access to a vast pool of over 30,000 licensed professionals allows therapists to collaborate and refer clients when specialized care is needed.

• User-Friendly Mobile App: The app facilitates seamless communication and session management, enabling therapists to connect with clients conveniently from any location.

• Financial Aid Options: BetterHelp provides financial assistance to qualified clients, broadening access to therapy services and enabling therapists to reach a more diverse clientele.

Example: A therapist specializes in trauma therapy and wants to broaden their practice to clients outside their geographic area. BetterHelp connects them with clients seeking their expertise, increasing their caseload while allowing them to maintain flexibility in their private practice.

Tips for Use:

• Develop a compelling profile highlighting specialties and therapeutic style.

• Use the platform’s built-in messaging tools to maintain strong client communication.

• Monitor feedback and ratings to improve your virtual practice.

BetterHelp offers an efficient way to reach more clients and diversify your practice.

1. Best for Insurance Navigation: Headway. This comprehensive solution is for therapists who accept insurance but want to avoid the administrative burden of processing claims. The platform includes:

• Insurance Verification: Confirms client eligibility and benefits.

• Billing Support: Manages claims submission and payment tracking.

• Therapist Matchmaking: Connects therapists with clients whose insurance plans they accept.

• Free Credentialing Services: This service assists therapists in becoming in-network with major insurance payors at no cost, streamlining the process to expand client access.

• Enhanced Reimbursement Rates: Negotiates competitive rates with insurance companies, ensuring therapists receive fair compensation for their services.

• Bi-Weekly Direct Deposits: Provides predictable, bi-weekly payments, reducing financial uncertainty.

• Comprehensive EHR Features: Offers a suite of electronic health record tools, including scheduling, documentation, and assessments, to streamline practice management.

• Continuing Education Resources: Provides access to up to 150 hours of free continuing education courses, supporting ongoing professional development.

Example: A therapist hesitates to accept insurance because of the complexity of claims processing. Headway steps in to verify eligibility, submit claims, and handle reimbursements, allowing the therapist to focus entirely on therapy without the administrative hassle.

Tips for Use:

• Expand client base by accepting insurance through Headway’s streamlined system.

• Set aside time each week to review the dashboard for updates on claims and payments.

• Use Headway’s client matching feature to connect with individuals actively seeking therapy.

Headway simplifies the often-difficult task of working with insurance, making it easier for therapists to provide accessible care.

Final Thoughts

The rapid evolution of behavioral health apps created incredible opportunities for therapists to improve client treatment, streamline practice management, and expand their reach. Whether you need tools for managing administrative tasks, engaging clients between sessions, or offering accessible therapy options, these seven behavioral health apps stand out in 2024.

When selecting apps, always ensure they comply with HIPAA regulations to maintain client confidentiality and data security. Integrating these tools will enhance efficiency and support client engagement in your clinical practice.

Thoughtfully integrating tools into your practice will create a more efficient, engaging, and effective therapeutic experience for your clients. Take the time to explore which apps align with your unique clinical and practice needs, and don’t hesitate to experiment with how these technologies can elevate client outcomes and personal workflow.