Have your progress notes written for you automatically
Therapy Shelf and Note Designer are note-writing software platforms used by mental health professionals. They both offer reliable organizing features that provide efficient documentation for therapists. The two software tools help therapists to easily write accurate progress notes seamlessly. Therapy Shelf and Note Designer enables therapists efficiently manage their workflow and provide better services to their clients.
This article compares both platforms to help you choose the best note-taking software for your practice. It provides detailed information about their features, pros and cons. It also shows the cost information including reviews from past and present users. This knowledge will assist you in making the right decision for your practice.
What is Therapy Shelf?
Therapy Shelf is a software program that allows mental health practitioners to take progress notes easily. Therapy Shelf provides a program called Chronicler Classic which many users have embraced. It is a web-based note application program that offers seamless documentation processes for therapists.
It offers a faster way for therapists to write accurate, comprehensive and high-quality progress notes. It also has extensive practice management tools, which includes billing, progress tracking, and client communication.
Main Features of Therapy Shelf
AI Function: Therapy Shelf provides artificial intelligence tools for therapists to convert speech or voice to text. Its AI-Assist service helps mental health professionals write accurate progress notes from voice recordings provided.
Customized Templates: Therapy Shelf has a chronicler note creator with different statement options for your notes. It also provides templates to assist therapists to personalize their notes as they desire.
Search Function: The Therapy Shelf has a search option tool to assist you in finding things you need for your therapy practice. Therapists can also save their remarks for easier access at any time.
Advantages of Therapy Shelf
- It allows therapists to write and edit progress notes at any place and at any time.
- Therapy Shelf provides clinical terminologies appropriate for your progress notes.
- It is easy to copy your generated notes and paste them into your preferred electronic health record software.
- It offers 2-weeks free trial for its users.
- Therapy Shelf is efficient for both solo and group mental health practices.
- HIPAA compliance guarantees the security of clients’ information.
Disadvantages of Therapy Shelf
- It costs more for therapists to access premium features.
- Therapy Shelf may be a little difficult for new users to learn all of its features. Some therapists might have to spend some time learning about the software’s abilities.
What is Note Designer?
Note Designer is a software tool designed for therapists to help them write progress notes. It makes it possible for mental health practitioners to save time while focusing on quality client care.
Main Features of Note Designer
Designed Templates: Note Designer offers advanced templates so therapists can have access to different note types. These templates are easily adjustable to meet the needs of therapists. Mental health professionals have access to progress notes templates, admission forms, and treatment plans. This feature makes it easy for therapists to write, modify, and store notes.
Auto-save Function: Note Designer has an auto-save feature that makes it possible for therapists not to lose important clients’ data. It is easy to recover notes and information even when therapists face a system or browser shutdown.
AI Assist Function: This feature is optional for therapists. It helps to produce quality psychotherapy note-writing.
Note Storage: Note Designer offers secured data storage online of all information therapists provide including client data.
Advantages of Note Designer
- Note Designer provides advanced and detailed customized templates for mental health practitioners.
- It is easy to use.
- It does not have any hidden fees.
- You can have easy access to Note Designer online on all your gadgets – phone, laptop, tablet.
- The program offers a 30-day free trial and users may get a full refund when not satisfied with the services.
- Note Designer does not use or store clients’ information therapists provide.
- Solo practitioners may find it affordable.
- It enables the addition of digital signatures.
- It has a vast content library to support your practice needs.
Disadvantages of Note Designer
- Note Designer may not be suitable for larger mental health practices.
- It does not have robust practice management system features for therapists.
- Exporting data for reporting can be quite difficult.
Cost Comparison of Therapy Shelf and Note Designer
Therapy Shelf
Therapy Shelf offers three price options for therapists, they include:
| Cost | $15/Monthly | $12/Monthly (For Group of 3+ Users) | $150/Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 2-week free trial | 2-week free trial | 2-week free trial |
| Unlimited Notes | Included | Included (same as monthly plan) | Included (same as monthly plan) |
| Feature Access | Easy access to new features | Easy access to new features | Easy access to new features |
| Predictive Results | Included | Included | Included |
Note Designer
Note designer provides low monthly and yearly fees for mental health practitioners. ****The price options available for therapists with the features each offers are presented in the table below:
| Cost | $15/month per User (Individual Monthly) | $150/year (Individual Yearly) | $12/month (Group of 3 or More Monthly) | $120/year (Group of 3 or More Yearly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIPAA Compliance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited clients and notes | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Easy access from any computer system | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full customization feature | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| AI function | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Runs in your web browser | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
User Reviews of Therapy Shelf Vs Note Designer
Reviews of Therapy Shelf
Some users find this note-taking software reliable for writing reliable progress notes. Other users pointed out its time saving feature. It gives therapists time for other activities while still providing excellent client care.
Another user praised the app for its efficient customer support. Their customer support responds quickly and are ready to implement recommendations. A licensed therapist also gave this review – “Therapy Shelf has revolutionized how I manage my practice. The customizable templates have saved me countless hours.”
Reviews of Note Designer
Several therapists who use Note Designer compliments its fast and effortless documentation feature. One of the users mentioned that the Note Designer’s simple and easy to navigate platform enhances smoother workflow.
Another therapist who has been using it for some weeks was happy with the creators. He found the program easy to use and it helped in enhancing his note-taking process. Among other reviews, emphasis was made about how Note Designer helps reduce time in writing notes.
Conclusion
Deciding the best note-taking software to assist in private practice is an important task for therapists. This impacts productivity and enables therapists to have a smooth running of their practices. Mental health practitioners who prefer a complete practice management service may choose Therapy Shelf. For those who desire simple and efficient note-taking, Note Designer is a top choice.
Therapy Shelf and Note Designer have their benefits and drawbacks. Therapists need to consider the goal of their practice in order to make a suitable choice. Mental health professionals can take advantage of the free trial options offered by both Therapy Shelf and Note Designer. Therapists who have larger caseloads can also consider using Mentalyc Note-taking App for therapists. Mentalyc is known to be the best software to generate quality, effortless psychotherapy notes online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy Shelf Vs Note Designer
Is Therapy Shelf and Note Designer an Electronic Note-keeping System Software?
Both Therapy Shelf and Note Designer are created to assist therapists in creating organized and accurate notes. However, these software programs are not designed for keeping electronic notes. They do not have cloud storage and do not store client information. With Note Designer, health information is never kept on the server or in the cloud; instead, it stays on your device. So, you will need to copy and paste clients’ information into an electronic health record (EHR) system for safe-keeping. But, Therapy Shelf’s Chronicler is very compatible with most EHR software.
Are Treatment Planning Services Provided by Therapy Shelf?
Although it is currently in an unfinished structure, Therapy Shelf has a treatment planning option in settings. The treatment planning template is accessible to anyone with a valid subscription to the Therapy Shelf software.
Is Note Designer Compliant with HIPAA?
Note Designer states that HIPAA-Compliance is not an issue since it doesn’t have a record storage system like EHRs. So, therapists have complete control over where and how they keep the protected health information (PHI) of their clients.
Which Platform is Simpler for Beginners?
Most users agree that Note Designer is easy to use. It has a simple user interface that makes it easy for therapists who want to create and edit simple notes. Therapy Shelf on the other hand has more features, which may require a higher learning curve.
Does Note Designer Have Any Rules for Taking Notes?
Note Designer produced a small book that covers best practices for writing notes in psychotherapy. The book can be purchased on Amazon. The book was written by Patricia C. Baldwin. It contains guidelines for therapists to write psychotherapy treatment notes.
