Starting a Private Practice? Don’t DIY Your Tech Stack

Why practice management software matters more than you think when starting a private practice

When I first started my practice in 2015, I did everything I could to try and save money when it came to the tech I used. I started with a free telehealth platform (yes, I did telehealth even back in 2015!), a free scheduling system, paper charts, and simply emailing appointment reminders.

I quickly learned that cheaper wasn’t necessarily better.

I found myself duplicating things in multiple places and spending more time than it was worth doing things manually. So when I made some big moves in my practice and started fresh in 2019, I knew right away that I needed to find an EHR that would streamline everything.

At that point, I had kids, and my schedule was more demanding outside of my typical work hours. I simply didn’t have the time to spend reconciling payments across multiple systems, managing appointments in different calendars, or chasing clients down to remember their appointment times.

What Happens When Your Systems Aren’t Connected?

For many therapists and social workers who are venturing into private practice, it can be tempting to take a more “piecemeal” approach in an attempt to save money.

This might look like using a Google Calendar for scheduling, writing notes on paper or in a Word document, collecting payments through unsecured systems, or even mailing clients initial paperwork (yes, I’ve seen this done).

You go into it thinking you’re saving money, and it feels good enough since you’re “just starting out.”

But what ends up happening?

Most clinicians (myself included) quickly realize that in trying to save a few dollars, they’ve added significantly more administrative time, while also putting themselves at risk for HIPAA violations by not using secure systems.

And honestly, one of the things that doesn’t get talked about enough is the client experience.

When a new client has to enter information in multiple systems, or isn’t sure where to schedule versus where to actually access their appointment, it can start to feel disjointed and less professional. Over time, that can impact their willingness to continue services.

Why Practice Management Software Matters Early

What I wish I had understood from the beginning is that having the right system, not just more tools, can completely change the trajectory of your practice.

Starting with a dedicated practice management software like Jane allows you to streamline everything into one place: scheduling, payments, insurance claims, documentation, and appointment reminders.

Instead of managing multiple platforms, you have one system that supports how your practice actually runs.

And that matters, because when your systems are streamlined, you’re spending less time on admin, which means more time for your clients and your life outside of work.

Instead of managing multiple platforms, you have one system that supports how your practice actually runs.

And that matters, because when your systems are streamlined, you’re spending less time on admin, which means more time for your clients and your life outside of work.

How Jane Supports New Private Practice Owners

Using Jane as my EHR has allowed me to create workflows and systems in my practice that don’t require me to do everything manually.

For example, where I used to send intake paperwork to clients myself, now when a new client books an appointment, their intake forms and consents are sent automatically, without any extra steps from me.

I also no longer have to jump between multiple systems to schedule appointments, complete notes, and collect payments after a session. Jane keeps all of those pieces connected, which takes a lot off my already full mental load.

Build a Private Practice That Actually Supports Your Life

Whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve been in private practice for a while, making sure your practice is built in a way that actually supports your life is so important.

And having an EHR like Jane can help you create the kind of administrative systems that keep your practice running smoothly, without everything relying on you to hold it all together.

If you want to see what that could look like in your own practice, you can book a free demo to see Jane in action.

And if you’re ready to get started, you can use my code ASHLEY1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account.