Building a telehealth therapy practice
Telehealth therapy has become a standard delivery mode across all major therapy modalities. Setting up a robust telehealth practice requires at least three layers: a HIPAA-compliant video platform, an EHR or notes system, and — for EMDR therapists — a solution for delivering bilateral stimulation to remote clients. This directory covers the best options in each category.
Video Platforms for Therapists
doxy.me
Free tier availabledoxy.me is purpose-built for healthcare telehealth. The free plan includes HIPAA-compliant video sessions, a virtual waiting room, and no time limits. Widely used in private practice because it requires no download for clients — they join via a browser link. The Pro plan adds group sessions, HD video, and custom branding.
Zoom for Healthcare
PaidZoom for Healthcare is the HIPAA-compliant version of Zoom, with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Most clients already have Zoom installed, which reduces friction. Requires a paid plan with BAA — standard consumer Zoom is not HIPAA-compliant for therapy use.
SimplePractice Telehealth
BundledSimplePractice bundles HIPAA-compliant telehealth video with their EHR platform. If you're already using SimplePractice for notes and billing, the built-in telehealth feature eliminates the need for a separate video platform. Session links are sent automatically with appointment reminders.
Bilateral Stimulation for Telehealth EMDR
The hardest problem in telehealth EMDR is client-side bilateral stimulation. Visual BLS works fine over video. Auditory BLS works through any headphones. Tactile BLS — the modality most clients prefer — requires the client to have a device.
The options therapists have traditionally used:
- Skip tactile BLS and use visual or auditory only
- Mail the client a dedicated hardware tapper ($100–$450 per unit)
- Ask the client to self-tap (effective but limits therapist control of speed/intensity)
Recommended for telehealth EMDR
TheraJoy is an iPhone app that solves the client-side BLS problem for online EMDR sessions. Therapists host the session on the Pro plan; clients download the app for free and join via a shared code. The therapist controls BLS speed, intensity, and modality in real time from their device — the client receives Joy-Con haptic bilateral stimulation without any subscription. Works alongside any video platform (doxy.me, Zoom, SimplePractice). The most practical solution for therapists seeing a high volume of telehealth clients — $79/yr for the therapist, free for every client.
Also an EMDR telehealth tool for therapists looking to equip their full caseload without hardware costs.
Also an EMDR telehealth tool for therapists looking to equip their full caseload without hardware costs.
EHR & Notes
TherapyNotes
EHRTherapyNotes is a behavioral health EHR with progress notes, treatment plans, scheduling, billing, and a client portal. HIPAA-compliant. Strong for solo and group practices. Includes a telehealth add-on.
TheraNest
EHRTheraNest offers notes, billing, scheduling, and a Wiley Treatment Planner integration. Lower starting price than TherapyNotes, with similar feature set. Good for practices that want built-in treatment plan templates.
Assessment & Intake Tools
Free tier
GenogramAI is a browser-based genogram maker that works well in telehealth intake: build the family map live during a video session and review it together over screen share. Describe the family in plain English and the AI draws a McGoldrick-standard genogram; templates for therapy, social work, and nursing formats are included. Nothing to install for either party.
Scheduling
Calendly
Free tierCalendly is the most widely used self-scheduling tool. Clients book from your available slots; confirmation and reminders send automatically. Does not include a BAA for HIPAA compliance — use SimplePractice or TherapyNotes scheduling if HIPAA-covered scheduling is required.
Practice Website
Practice websites
Website builder made specifically for therapy and coaching practices. Answer six questions and it weaves your practice into one of 150 therapist-specific templates — with specialty SEO landing pages, NPI license verification, a consult-request inbox, and cookie-free analytics built in. The free tier is a real published site, not a trial. Telehealth-only practices live or die on being findable online, which makes the built-in specialty SEO pages relevant here. Their SEO for therapists guide is worth reading even if you build elsewhere.
Directory Listings
Free listing
A telehealth practice only works if clients can find it. IntroTherapy is a mental health practice directory with 230,000+ listings searchable by specialty and location; therapists can claim a free basic listing and manage specialties, insurance, and contact details from a provider dashboard.