SimplePractice AI Notes: Best Options for Therapists (2026)

What You Need to Know About the Best AI Scribe for SimplePractice

• SimplePractice has a native AI note-taking add-on called Note Taker ($35/mo) that generates SOAP, DAP, or BIRP draft notes from session audio; dedicated AI scribes cover additional formats, coding support, and EHR portability that Note Taker does not.
• Integration type determines how much manual work remains after a session: Note Taker writes directly into the SimplePractice chart; third-party tools use copy-paste, Chrome Extension, or direct integration depending on the tool and tier.
• Compare tools on note formats, SimplePractice handoff method, coding support, and trial terms, then pilot with your actual caseload before committing.

How Do the 5 Best AI Scribes for SimplePractice Compare?

The table below maps each tool across four evaluation criteria. Integration type and note formats are the two columns most likely to narrow the field for a SimplePractice therapist.

Notes:

• Vendor sites change often. Confirm pricing and integration status before committing.
• Freed AI's Chrome Extension push to SimplePractice is available on the Premier tier only. Lower tiers use copy-paste.
• Mentalyc pricing is not publicly listed; contact the vendor directly.

The 5 Best AI Scribes for SimplePractice: Profiles

1. SimplePractice Note Taker

SimplePractice Note Taker is a paid add-on built into the SimplePractice EHR. It records session audio through SimplePractice Telehealth or the SP Clinicians mobile app and generates a SOAP, DAP, or BIRP draft note for review and sign-off.¹ It runs inside the platform the therapist already uses, with no additional vendor relationship or separate login required. The tool is covered under SimplePractice's existing BAA.¹ Audio is deleted immediately after transcription; transcripts are deleted within 7 days or when the note is signed and locked.¹

Note generation takes approximately five minutes per session.² In-person recording is available only through the SP Clinicians mobile app; laptop and desktop web are not confirmed for in-person sessions.³ Note content stays inside SimplePractice and cannot be transferred to another EHR if the practice switches platforms.² Custom note templates and ICD-10 or CPT code suggestions are not available. Pricing is $35/mo per clinician with a 30-day free trial.¹

• Covered under SimplePractice's existing BAA; no separate HIPAA agreement required for the AI notes add-on.¹
• Audio deleted immediately after transcription; transcripts removed within 7 days or on note sign/lock.¹
• An active SimplePractice subscription is required; Note Taker is not available as a standalone product.¹

2. Commure Scribe

Commure Scribe is an AI medical scribe built for behavioral health alongside 25+ other specialties. For therapists on SimplePractice, solo and small practices move notes by copy-paste; group practices use one-click sync, which pushes the session note directly into SimplePractice without a manual transfer step. A custom template builder supports therapy-specific formats including CBT and DBT documentation alongside standard SOAP. ICD-10 and CPT code suggestions are generated at entry-level pricing, which matters for behavioral health prescribers who bill on SimplePractice. The tool works on desktop, tablet, and mobile for both in-person and telehealth sessions.

A 7-day unlimited trial is available with no credit card required, so the tool can be tested on real therapy sessions before committing. For current pricing, see the Commure Scribe pricing page. Commure Scribe is HIPAA compliant and SOC 2 certified; session audio is never used for AI training.

• Custom template builder covers therapy-specific formats: CBT, DBT, trauma-focused documentation alongside standard SOAP.
• AI Copilot handles tasks beyond session notes: prior authorizations, patient emails, and work excuse letters.
• 60+ EHR integrations mean the documentation workflow transfers if the practice moves off SimplePractice.

3. Freed AI

Freed AI is designed for independent clinicians and has strong psychiatry coverage, making it a common consideration for prescribing therapists and psychiatric NPs on SimplePractice. For most Freed users, the workflow is copy-paste into SimplePractice: Starter ($39/mo, up to 40 notes) and Core ($79/mo, unlimited notes) both work this way. The Chrome Extension that writes directly into SimplePractice fields is gated to the Premier tier, priced at $104/mo billed annually or $119/mo billed monthly.⁴

ICD-10 and CPT code suggestions are also Premier-only.⁴ Freed supports 20+ specialty templates. Sessions are captured in 90+ languages but notes are generated in English only.⁴ A 7-day free trial is available with no credit card required. Freed AI is HIPAA compliant and SOC 2 Type II certified.⁴

• Chrome Extension write-back to SimplePractice and ICD-10/CPT coding are available on the Premier tier only.⁴
• English-only note generation applies across all tiers, regardless of session language.⁴
• Starter tier caps at 40 notes per month, which may limit therapists with full caseloads.⁴

4. Mentalyc

Mentalyc is built specifically for mental health clinicians: therapists, psychologists, and counselors. It integrates directly with SimplePractice and supports one-click autofill via a Chrome Extension.⁵ Supported formats include SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, PIE, intake notes, and treatment plans, covering a broader therapy-specific range than most general-purpose scribes.⁵ A cross-session clinical progress tracking feature is available, which is uncommon among AI documentation tools.⁵

The cross-session tracking connects themes, symptoms, and treatment goals across visits, so each note is informed by the clinical arc of the client relationship rather than just the most recent session. Mentalyc also generates treatment plans directly alongside session notes.⁵ Pricing is not publicly listed; contact the vendor for current rates. Note caps apply on lower tiers. Mentalyc is HIPAA compliant, SOC 2 Type II certified, and a BAA is available.⁵ It offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.⁵

• Chrome Extension autofill places each note section into the correct SimplePractice field, rather than pasting into a single text block.⁵
• Treatment plans are generated directly, useful for practices that require them for insurance documentation.⁵
• Pricing is not publicly confirmed; verify current rates with the vendor before committing.

5. HealOS

HealOS (formerly ScribeHealth) runs as a browser extension that overlays the SimplePractice tab in the clinician's browser.⁶ For therapists already working in SimplePractice on a desktop, the extension generates notes within the same window, with no second app and no copy-paste into a separate chart. ICD-10 and CPT codes are auto-assigned from session context, which is relevant for behavioral health practices that bill with diagnostic codes.⁶ The extension works on-screen rather than through a dedicated API, so it reads and writes to what is visible in the SimplePractice tab.

Twenty free sessions per month are available before any charge applies. Published pricing is $49/mo for unlimited sessions.⁶ HealOS is HIPAA compliant; a BAA is available. The product was formerly branded as ScribeHealth and is actively rebranding; confirm current pricing, product name, and support contacts on the vendor site before committing.

• Runs inside the SimplePractice browser tab; therapists stay in the same window throughout.⁶
• ICD-10 and CPT codes are auto-assigned from session context.⁶
• Twenty free sessions per month available before billing begins.⁶

What Is an AI Scribe for SimplePractice?

An AI scribe for SimplePractice captures session audio and generates a structured clinical note. The therapist reviews and finalizes the note inside SimplePractice. Until recently, every AI documentation option for SimplePractice was a third-party add-on. SimplePractice changed that by launching Note Taker, a native AI notes add-on included as an optional paid feature inside every SimplePractice subscription.

SimplePractice Note Taker sets the starting point for any SimplePractice user evaluating documentation tools. Third-party AI scribes fill gaps the native tool does not cover: coding automation, custom templates, desktop in-person support, and EHR portability if a practice ever switches platforms.

How Were These Tools Evaluated?

Each tool was scored on four criteria: SimplePractice integration type, supported note formats, published pricing, and free trial access.

Integration type is graded on three tiers:

• Native: The scribe is built into SimplePractice. No separate app, no copy-paste, no additional vendor login. SimplePractice Note Taker is the only tool in this comparison at this tier.
• Direct integration / Chrome Extension: The scribe connects to SimplePractice and pushes note content into chart fields automatically, either via API or by overlaying the SimplePractice browser interface. Mentalyc, Freed AI Premier, and HealOS operate this way.
• Copy-paste: The scribe drafts the note in its own app. The therapist copies it into the SimplePractice chart manually. Lower-tier Freed AI plans use this workflow for SimplePractice.

On vendor accuracy claims: Every vendor publishes its own accuracy percentage, but there is no shared test that all scribes use, so those numbers cannot be compared directly. The only independent benchmark is a 2025 randomized trial in NEJM AI, which found that omissions (missing clinical details) were the most common error in AI-generated notes.⁷

Why Does SimplePractice AI Integration Depth Matter?

Integration depth determines how many manual steps remain between a completed recording and a finalized SimplePractice chart. Fewer steps means less friction per session, and friction compounds across a full caseload week.

With a native tool like SimplePractice Note Taker, the recording starts and ends inside the same platform the therapist already uses. The note generates within SimplePractice and routes to the correct chart automatically. No app switching, no copy-paste.

With a direct integration or Chrome Extension tool like Mentalyc, note content pushes into SimplePractice fields without a manual paste step. The therapist reviews the note in the scribe or within the browser overlay, then confirms it into the chart.

Copy-paste tools require the therapist to open both apps, select the note text, copy it, navigate to the correct SimplePractice field, and paste. Each session adds several manual steps.

One constraint applies specifically to Note Taker: in-person recording is available only via the SP Clinicians mobile app. Therapists who prefer to use a laptop during in-person sessions need a third-party scribe that supports desktop recording.

How to Choose the Best AI Scribe for SimplePractice

The right AI scribe for SimplePractice depends on session volume, note format needs, and whether the practice may ever move off SimplePractice.

By practice type:

• Solo therapist, telehealth only, standard caseload: SimplePractice Note Taker is the lowest-friction option at $35/mo with no additional vendor relationship. It covers SOAP, DAP, and BIRP formats and is included under the existing SimplePractice BAA.
• Solo therapist needing desktop in-person support or faster chart closure: Note Taker's mobile-only in-person constraint is a genuine limitation for therapists who see patients on a laptop. Commure Scribe and Freed AI both support desktop in-person recording.
• Psychiatric prescribers needing code suggestions: Commure Scribe includes ICD-10 and CPT suggestions at entry-level pricing. Freed AI Premier includes them at the $104–$119/mo tier.
• Therapists who want therapy-native formats and clinical progress tracking: Mentalyc supports GIRP, PIE, intake notes, treatment plans, and cross-session progress tracking. Confirm current pricing directly with the vendor.
• Therapists evaluating for free: HealOS offers 20 free sessions per month with no credit card required. Note Taker's 30-day trial and Commure Scribe's 7-day no-credit-card trial are also strong starting points.
• Small group practices or practices that may switch EHRs: SimplePractice AI notes do not transfer if the practice moves off the platform. Commure Scribe works across 60+ EHRs; the documentation workflow transfers when the practice does.

Pilot checklist:

When testing any AI scribe for SimplePractice, track these measures on real sessions:

• Field placement: Does the note land in the right SimplePractice fields, or does it need repositioning?
• Edit burden: How many words or sentences does the therapist change per note?
• Click count: How many actions from End Recording to a signed chart?
• Format fit: Does the generated note match the formats required for the caseload?
• Time recovered: Compare documentation time per session during the trial to the week before.

HIPAA and Privacy: What Therapists Need to Know About AI Note-Taking

AI documentation tools create real HIPAA obligations that go beyond a product marketing claim. Four specific provisions matter for any therapist using AI notes.

AI-generated notes are not psychotherapy notes under HIPAA. Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR § 164.501), "psychotherapy notes" have a narrow definition: notes that document or analyze the contents of a counseling session, kept separately from the rest of the medical record.⁸ These notes receive elevated confidentiality protections. AI-generated progress notes are almost certainly not psychotherapy notes under this definition; they are progress notes that belong in the designated record set. Therapists should not assume AI-generated drafts carry the elevated protections of psychotherapy notes.⁸

Patient access rights differ. Under 45 CFR § 164.524, patients have the right to access their PHI in the designated record set.⁸ Psychotherapy notes stored separately from the medical record are excluded from this right. Because AI-generated progress notes are typically part of the designated record set, patients likely retain full access rights to those notes.⁹

Every AI scribe vendor needs its own BAA. Any vendor that receives, creates, transmits, or maintains PHI is a Business Associate and must sign a BAA before you use the tool.¹⁰ SimplePractice Note Taker is covered under SimplePractice's existing BAA.¹ Every other tool (Commure Scribe, Freed AI, Mentalyc, HealOS) needs its own separate BAA. Verify before recording any session.

Minimum necessary standard applies. The minimum necessary standard (45 CFR § 164.514(d)) requires covered entities to limit PHI to what is reasonably necessary.¹⁰ For AI note-taking: record only what you need, and confirm audio deletion policies with each vendor. Note Taker deletes audio immediately after transcription.¹

FAQ: AI Scribes for SimplePractice

Does SimplePractice have a built-in AI scribe?

Yes. SimplePractice Note Taker is an AI note-taking add-on that transcribes sessions and generates SOAP, DAP, or BIRP draft notes for review and sign-off. It costs $35 per clinician per month with a 30-day free trial and is covered under SimplePractice's existing BAA.¹

Can SimplePractice Note Taker be used for in-person sessions?

Yes, but with a device limitation. Note Taker works in person via the SP Clinicians mobile app on iOS and Android. Laptop and desktop web are not confirmed for in-person sessions. Therapists who prefer to use a computer during in-person visits need a dedicated AI scribe that supports desktop recording.³

Is SimplePractice Note Taker HIPAA compliant?

Yes. Note Taker is covered under SimplePractice's BAA. Audio is deleted immediately after transcription; transcripts are deleted within 7 days or when the note is signed and locked.¹

How much does SimplePractice Note Taker cost?

$35 per clinician per month with a 30-day free trial. An active SimplePractice subscription is required; Note Taker is not available as a standalone product.¹

What is the best AI scribe for therapists using SimplePractice?

For therapists using SimplePractice Telehealth with standard caseloads, Note Taker is the lowest-friction option. For therapists who need faster chart closure, desktop in-person support, ICD-10 code suggestions, or EHR portability, Commure Scribe and Freed AI are strong fits. Mentalyc is a therapy-native alternative with more note formats; contact them for current pricing. HealOS offers 20 free sessions per month as a low-commitment starting point for therapists evaluating browser-extension AI documentation.

What happens to session recordings in SimplePractice Note Taker?

Audio is deleted immediately after transcription. The transcript is deleted when the note is signed and locked, or within 7 days, whichever comes first.¹

Which SimplePractice AI scribes include coding support?

Commure Scribe includes ICD-10 and CPT suggestions at entry-level pricing. Freed AI Premier and HealOS include ICD-10 and CPT suggestions. SimplePractice Note Taker and Mentalyc do not include coding support. Verify current features with each vendor before committing.

Evaluate on your actual caseload

Commure Scribe is one of the tools covered above. A 7-day trial requires no credit card. See current Commure Scribe plans for solo therapist and small behavioral health group options.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute legal, medical, or professional advice, and does not guarantee any specific documentation, billing, or purchasing outcome. Pricing and features change; confirm details with each vendor before buying.

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