What Makes a Great EHR for Behavioral Health?
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What Makes a Great EHR for Beh...
In behavioral health, relationships matter — and so does the technology that supports them. A great electronic health record (EHR) for behavioral health providers isn’t just a digital filing cabinet. It’s a tool that should support the therapeutic process, reduce admin burden, and improve outcomes for both clients and clinicians.
So, what features truly make an EHR stand out?
1. Seamless Notes & Documentation
No one went into therapy to spend hours clicking checkboxes. Great EHRs offer customizable note templates (SOAP, DAP, progress notes) and make it easy to write, save, and sign clinical documentation quickly. Bonus if you can favorite commonly used phrases or create your own shortcodes.
No one went into therapy to spend hours clicking checkboxes. Great EHRs offer customizable note templates (SOAP, DAP, progress notes) and make it easy to write, save, and sign clinical documentation quickly. Bonus if you can favorite commonly used phrases or create your own shortcodes.
2. Integrated Scheduling & Reminders
When calendars, reminders, and client notifications are built right into your EHR, no one has to worry about no-shows or double bookings. Providers should be able to view daily, weekly, or monthly calendars at a glance and easily manage their availability.
When calendars, reminders, and client notifications are built right into your EHR, no one has to worry about no-shows or double bookings. Providers should be able to view daily, weekly, or monthly calendars at a glance and easily manage their availability.
3. Secure, Easy-to-Use Telehealth
Especially post-pandemic, teletherapy is here to stay. Your EHR should support HIPAA-compliant video sessions — no extra links, no downloads, no jumping between platforms. One click should connect therapist and client securely.
Especially post-pandemic, teletherapy is here to stay. Your EHR should support HIPAA-compliant video sessions — no extra links, no downloads, no jumping between platforms. One click should connect therapist and client securely.
4. Client-Centered Portal
Modern clients expect a smooth digital experience. EHRs with intuitive client portals allow individuals to complete intake paperwork, view appointments, and message their provider — all in one secure place.
Modern clients expect a smooth digital experience. EHRs with intuitive client portals allow individuals to complete intake paperwork, view appointments, and message their provider — all in one secure place.
5. Compliance, Built In
From HIPAA to clinical licensing rules, compliance isn’t optional. Your EHR should help you stay audit-ready with auto-logged activity, secure access control, and data encryption — without creating more red tape.
From HIPAA to clinical licensing rules, compliance isn’t optional. Your EHR should help you stay audit-ready with auto-logged activity, secure access control, and data encryption — without creating more red tape.
6. Real Support From Real Humans
A great EHR doesn’t just work well — it also comes with responsive customer support. You shouldn’t have to dig through forums or wait days to get help when something goes wrong.
A great EHR doesn’t just work well — it also comes with responsive customer support. You shouldn’t have to dig through forums or wait days to get help when something goes wrong.
At Patientevity, we’re building the EHR we wish we had — one that centers the behavioral health provider experience and empowers therapists to focus on what matters most: client care.
What’s your biggest EHR frustration — or your must-have feature? We’d love to hear from you.