How to Choose an EHR for Your Therapy Practice
By the Open My Practice team · Updated November 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Your EHR is where your clinical work lives: notes, scheduling, intake forms, and billing. Switching later is painful, so it's worth choosing carefully at the start.
What to look for
- A signed business associate agreement. Non-negotiable for any system that stores client information.
- Scheduling, reminders, and a client portal for intake forms and documents.
- Note templates that fit how you work, such as progress notes and treatment plans.
- Billing that matches your model: superbills for cash-pay, claims if you take insurance.
- Good Faith Estimate support if you see self-pay clients.
- Built-in telehealth, or a clean integration with one.
- A way to export all of your records if you ever leave.
Mistakes to avoid
- Picking based on price alone, then outgrowing the system in a year.
- Paying for insurance billing features you won't use in a cash-pay practice.
- Skipping the trial period instead of running a few mock clients through it.
How we handle this for you
- Helps you compare EHR options against your practice model
- Adds the EHR's business associate agreement to your compliance records
- Works alongside whichever EHR you choose, handling the business side so your EHR can handle the clinical side
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an EHR as a solo therapist?
You need a secure, compliant way to keep records, schedule, and bill. For most solo therapists an EHR is the simplest way to do that.
What's the most important EHR feature for a new practice?
A signed business associate agreement and the billing features that match how you'll get paid. Everything else depends on your workflow.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change, so confirm requirements with the relevant agency or a qualified professional before acting.