TheraNest

Pros

It's simple to use and has everything you need to make your small private practice run. The customer support is AMAZING! I've never had a question or concern that wasn't quickly resolved by their great team.

Cons

I would like to see the TeleHealth screen be bigger. This is a work in progress since this is a newly added feature.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to TheraNest

Pros

The cost and all of the features that are available.

Cons

I wish there were premade template library in the document section. It is a little wonky trying to create documents and then it is trial/error to get them to where you need which is very time consuming. I am still going through my documents and needing to change small things that I didn't catch. That is one feature that I do miss from Simple Practice- they had an amazing library of document templates, assessments (PCL5, health assessments, etc.,).

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing TheraNest

Switched From

Reasons for Switching to TheraNest

Pros

The support team and support portal have been very helpful and timely.

Cons

TheraNest's "dynamic" forms are not as dynamic compared to other EHR for therapists. It takes so long to create the most basic form in TheraNest and you cannot duplicate questions. You cannot edit the client details tab to customize it to your practice nor can you send clients documents in TheraNest to sign or view outside of consent forms. I have used other EHRs at other practices, and TheraNest seems to have the least features and easability.

Pros

Ease of charting and making appointments. That part is typically ok - unless the system is down - which happens way more than it should.

Cons

Not sure where to begin! Theranest is an extremely complicated system and there is a big large learning curve for all users - even just clinicians that make appointments and chart. It is extremely cumbersome for billing and insurance work. Back buttons have to be used all the time - at least 3 times to update client insurance claims. Look at invoice, enter what the client owes, save. Back button - write off the money the insurance won't pay, save, back button, charge the client what they owe, back button, send the client a statement (their "automatic" receipts don't show what the date of service is). I really need someone else trained on the billing part of the system and I cannot even imagine the extra time I would have to take to train someone and the mistakes that would be made. There is way too much room for user mistakes when using the theranest billing system. I pay a lot extra for their billing portion to use their clearing house, yet I am consistently having to go to each payor's websites and figure out what is going on with various claims when the Era's come back to theranest - I should say "if" they come back to theranest. Today their ERA processing suddenly stopped working and now I get to spend hours and hours updating clients billing charts manually for the week! We have 6-7 clinicians and it already takes me 2 full working dates to reconcile accounts with theranest. when things are working "properly". They claim to be very proud of their billing system - as they have "added" features to make the billing process quicker- (which I found their "upgrade3" doesn't even pull the correct amount a client owes and it needs to be manually fixed anyway and I have to manually write off money insurance won't pay). Oh by the way - they upped their monthly fee because they added this "upgrade" that doesn't work. Their updates at times causes problems elsewhere in the system - which means something else like updating a chart for example or simply saving notes you have written stops working. God forbid you don't remember to save everything every 2 seconds or all will be lost. When adding a diagnosis to a clients charge - you have to save it 2x in two different areas or it doesn't save! Customer service is "available" but expect to wait for days before they reply back to you - usually asking questions you have already told them in your request for help email. When you send a message back reiterating what you already said - there is never a quick reply. So any problems with the software could literally take a week to fix. I actually got someone today on chat - which is the very first time in the 6 years this has ever happened - and then had to spend literally one hour chatting about our ERA issue today because he failed to explain anything in any clear way - only directed me to some form and because between each line of chat - it took 2 minutes for the message to even get to each other. (oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the system is super slow at times-not my computer - it happens to all of us). They are constantly changing things with the software that are an unnecessary waste and cause a lot of confusion and time for the user because all the sudden something is different. For example, for some reason only they know, they stopped allowing the same email to be used in different client accounts (we work with children). We see many sibling groups and use their parents email on their chart to send statements or reminders, etc. Now we can't use the same email. So again - extra time and money had to be spent for my office manager to call these families and ask for different emails. Parents like information to go to one email. Many parents weren't happy about this. Who checks 3 different emails everyday? Customer service's response was "We recommend you have the parents create emails for their children to access the data, and also should help them distinguish and filter data between their kids if they have multiple". Um, ok. Basically - they will not go back to allowing us to use one parent email for his or her kids. After years and years of headaches and so much extra work theranest adds, just to use the expensive software, that was the straw that broke the camels back. We are searching for a new system - stat. Have not done it before now because the thought of switching all clients over and the learning curve of a new system was too much. BUT - now we are done.

Pros

TheraNest is very simplistic and easy to use for a small practice

Cons

TheraNest is unable to handle multilevel practices that require collaboration between various levels of providers (more specifically therapist and bachelor's level caseworkers)

Pros

Inputting progress notes is quick and easy. Navigating adding clients, storing records, and reliability of site working is the best thing about TheraNest

Cons

The billing service is expensive for what you get. You will spend a lot of time tracking payments and following up on your own. Your invoice records will not be kept in a timely way and you won’t be alerted if invoices aren’t paid. If not paid you won’t know why unless you spend hours contacting insurers.

Pros

It's a comprehensive program that handles most aspects of the claim processing we all need in a busy practice.

They SAY they offer live customer service when a user runs into questions about how to use the program. That is why I chose them over Simple Practice, which offers NO live customer service.

The reality is when you are in need of an answer on how to use an aspect of the program, you must leave a message on a voice mail.

They will call you back when it's convenient for them to do so - and that's never when I need an answer.

I do all of my claims submissions myself and I'm a fairly intelligent and computer literate user. This is a complex, intricate software with may nuances in use.

My time is limited, and so it doesn't work for me to have to wait for an answer until it's convenient for them to call me back.

Cons

Simply put, they lie about their live customer service.

Their training videos are convoluted, not well-produced and hard to follow in terms of content.

I spent countless hours and significant money to make the transfer over to Theranest, and when I held them to account for their promised and not delivered live customer service they CANCELLED MY ACCOUNT!

This has caused me undue stress and dollars...and they have been very callous and offered no-compromise position. I complained too much, and therefore, they got rid of me! Nice!

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing TheraNest

Reasons for Switching to TheraNest

Pros

I have been using this software for over 10 years. I appreciate the ease of on-boarding and the quick response from customer service.

Cons

Like most software the price could be cheaper. I wish there were more included features instead of paying for each additional feature.

Pros

Theranest had ease of navigation inside their system for the most part.

Cons

If you do not use their clearing house, they charge you extra and then start messing up your EDI and billing. They will NOT allow you to manage your charts in a timely manner when trying to leave their system. I have been trying to leave their system since August and it is now October. Because they are making it difficult to leave, it is forcing me to pay for a system at a high price that I am not using. For example, you have to delete everything one at a time, and then they only let you delete 3 people a day. So, they are making bank because I cannot leave their system from their lock down of MY CHARTS. Imagine when you have almost a thousand or more people to exit the system how this impacts you financially as a business owner. So, essentially, I am paying for 2 EHRs.

Pros

This product ... is so great for charting notes down! So easy to use

Cons

User friendly - cant say anything bad about it so far

Pros

I like the note style and how the printed result looks finished and professional. Features are easy to use and customizable without being overly complicated.

Cons

The telehealth connection for clients is challenging. I would prefer a waiting room/lobby type platform. I would like to be able to have multiple people join the session for parent consults/couples/supervision.

Pros

The pricing structure and informative reporting are what I like best about Theranest.

Cons

I would appreciate more flexibility with storing logistics information for an entire family using one parent email and tracking of all customized documentation (particularly Pediatric Evaluations, Plans of Care, and treatment session documentation).

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing TheraNest

Reasons for Switching to TheraNest

Pros

TheraNest is really easy to use and takes care of everything my practice requires. TheraNest is truly a one-stop shop. I really like how TheraNest handles the credit card processing, scheduling, and reminders. And it's reasonably priced.
TheraNest also has an excellent support staff. I can't underscore that enough. TheraNest has an excellent support staff. There are detailed, step-by-step instructions for everything in, on, and about TheraNest, but if I need to speak with an actual human all I have to do is start a live chat by hitting the icon at the bottom of the screen.
TheraNest also listens to its customers. It's constantly improving the website to make it more user friendly. It's been impressive to see how TheraNest has grown and improved every month since my practice signed up with it over 6 years ago.

Cons

I don't really have any complaints about TheraNest.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to TheraNest

Pros

I love Theranest's interface- I find it quite easy to navigate around the different features. I had tried other plans but did not find them as easy to use.

Cons

I am still a little uncertain about the Ledger/ Accounting piece, but I also am aware that this could be my own aversion to dealing with accounts receivable, etc.

Pros

Ease of use. User friendly. U have heber had any negative or troublesome issues.

Cons

Nothing to not like. I very much enjoy using Theranest.

Pros

Easy to use and excellent for record purposes!

Cons

Ledger can sometimes be easy to click wrong key.

Pros

That i can access my mental health appts. Records and treatment plans all in one place. Especially because I can make a telehealth appt regardless of how my mental health is going

Cons

Im not sure how much it will cost me at the end of my trial

Pros

I most like the one location for all aspects of our business. We have grown and TheraNest can handle the growth giving us accurate reports and scheduling practices.

Cons

The app is less reliable and not as user friendly.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing TheraNest

Reasons for Switching to TheraNest

Pros

I started with TheraNest in 2014 when we implemented EMRs for our private practice. Found TN to be affordable and convenient.

Cons

None that I need at this time. This program meets all the needs I have at this time.

Pros

Ease. When I signed on the Theranest customer service was phenomenal as I was "green" with using an EHR online system.

Cons

I would like to see more therapeutic interventions and options on the treatment plan for checks only. That would be amazingly helpful.

Pros

So easy to use great templates large font convenient features love it

Cons

I haven’t found anything that I don’t like about this software yet after two years of using it

Pros

The therapists on staff at my agency love the software. With only a few complaints, they find it easy to use and obviously are happy to not have paper files any longer. We have used this software since July 2018. I also appreciate that TheraNest offers a discount for nonprofits, which our counseling agency is a nonprofit. This helps with my budgeting.

Cons

The billing and reporting of this software is lacking in many ways, from the lack of robust reporting options to very elementary and clunky billing system. I would NEVER recommend this product for a group practice. Literally, we asked them early on - due to their statements being very difficult to read - if they had any accounting professional associated with the development of the software, and the answer was no. I have a CPA who reconciles our books every month and it's been a nightmare trying to reconcile TheraNest. Again, it might be good for a solo practitioner or for someone who is less worried about reconciling finances.

Pros

TheraNest offers our practice the ability to effectively manage a caseload from all different sizes, and enables us to maintain confidentiality of patient information even across different users. I love that I don’t have to worry about someone else seeing the notes or appointment dates other than those who should.

TheraNest’s template for progress notes, intakes, and treatment plans are super helpful in keeping me organized and making sure that I do not miss any information that needs to be documented.

Additionally, I appreciate the software’s consistent updates that take into consideration feedback received from users like me. I was especially appreciative of their addition of separate gender identity and pronoun lines in the client details section.

Cons

Learning the software is difficult - wherein we notice a lot of people making errors in setting up appointments or being able to navigate through the site.

We also find that few people use TheraNest the same way across the board, which creates some inconsistencies for us on billing and case management.

Additionally, I have noticed minor fixes that could help to change the overall experience. For example, there’s no option for a user to cancel/change multiple appointments at one time; e.g., when a therapist is going out of town for a week. Also, there is no option to maintain a history of client demographic information, once you update the information (or the client does) it is gone.

Lastly, there are seemingly no options to enter notes or addendums to notes that are signed or attached to a billed invoice. As a clinician, we notice mistakes at times and need to include additional comments like follow-ups with collaborative providers, client homework, etc. that would be best attached to the session note.

Pros

The calendar and agenda features are nice. Most of all, the software eases and expedites our billing process, which is a huge help.

Cons

TheraNest will let us upload our own forms that we created and like better (such as intake forms, etc.) but it will not upload them or keep them in our format. Instead it converts them to something completely unusable. Secondly, we were expecting that a software designed for private practices in mental health care would include the ability to consolidate needed information and export it in a report; instead we have had to create our own Excel sheets to track client information. Thirdly, customer support has been of no help whatsoever when we called and tried to solve these issues.

Pros

TheraNest continues to revamp and update its software making it more compatible to my needs as a clinician. Once you begin the experience of Nest and take it one step at a time, you realize that you are making progress with virtual notes and storage, billing and even telehealth! At first I was overwhelmed with learning to do everything online (changing from paper and pencil note taking, having an outside billing service to all electronic needs) I have made excellent progress where I am saving both time and money with the Nest Service.
One great aspect of this service is the customer care with live online support and articles to read on areas I may need help. Training is offered on the areas I need the most help and the staff frequently ask how they can make this software product better and more compatible to my needs as a therapist's. A final accolade of Nest is being able to store secure photos of client art work and additional notes and documents. There is a secure client portal too if you choose to use this for intake and other virtual needs.

Cons

As a seasoned professional with little to no electronic note taking experience, my learning curve is not as adept to electronic storage, billing and virtual sessions. So, I find that sometimes the training tapes are too fast and too in-depth for one sitting. Therefore, I need to review them a few times in order to understand what area of Nest to access and what tabs I need to use for processing. Fortunately the support staff are ready to help me in all of my questions.