Why therapists are switching to Upheal from SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, and other EHRs

You didn't become a therapist to manage software. But when your EHR makes documentation harder than it has to be, raises your subscription cost every renewal, and keeps adding disconnected tools or add-ons that don't talk to each other, the admin side of practice has a way of taking your day over.

If you're thinking about switching therapy EHRs, you’re not the only one. Tens of thousands of therapists are looking to switch their EHR in 2026. And the good news is that switching to Upheal is faster than most therapists expect. It takes only a few hours for most practices, not the weeks or months a traditional EHR migration can take.

This guide covers why therapists are leaving SimplePractice and TherapyNotes right now, what to look for in your next platform, and how to make the move step by step.

Why therapists switch EHRs (and why now)

The platforms most therapists are leaving weren't designed for the way therapy practices work today. They were built around billing and scheduling, and they've been trying to retrofit AI on top of that foundation ever since.

For SimplePractice, that story includes a private equity acquisition in 2024 and price increases every year since. Their AI note taker comes as a $35-a-month add-on, on a base plan that continues to climb in cost. For those therapists who have tried it, they found the notes landed somewhere between useful and unfinished. It simply took too much work to get to something they could actually sign off on. Was it a good EHR? Maybe. But was it worth the time and cost to get the result? For many therapists, the answer is no.

Meanwhile, TherapyNotes built its reputation on clinical documentation, and for a long time that was enough. When AI notes became something therapists expected from their EHR, they launched TherapyFuel, a separate subscription for $40 a month on top of the base plan. At $109 a month combined, you're not getting an AI-native EHR. You're getting an EHR with an AI add-on.

For a lot of practices, the biggest frustration is the fragmentation of it all. Notes in one platform, scheduling in another, billing in a third, and client messaging in a fourth. It’s a stack of tools that works, sort of.

What your next EHR should do

Your next EHR should consolidate your tools, handle documentation automatically, and offer pricing in a way that scales with your caseload. Here's what to consider before committing.

AI-native documentation.

There's a meaningful difference between a platform with AI bolted on as a paid add-on and one where AI is built into the workflows from the ground up. When you’re trying out a new tool, try this test: can a session note be drafted, reviewed, and signed in under 5 minutes? Then think about what that means from an admin perspective for 5, 10, 20 sessions a week. Upheal’s AI notes draft instantly after a session, check them for compliance, and put you in control for final sign off.

Total cost, not just base price.

Some EHRs advertise low base fees and charge separately for telehealth, billing, or forms. It’s important to know the full monthly cost before making the jump. Upheal charges €0.85 per session, capped at €59/month, with no add-ons for AI notes, telehealth, billing, or client messaging. A part-time therapist seeing 10 clients a week pays around €34/month. A full caseload hits the cap at €59. SimplePractice's Essential plan starts at $79/month, before add-ons like AI notes.

Clear privacy and compliance documentation.

Look for a signed BAA and publicly available documentation of data storage and encryption practices. It’s also worth asking whether the platform trains AI on your session data. Upheal doesn’t. Your data and your clients’ data stays yours. Upheal gives you full control over how it’s stored and used, and never uses session content to train AI models

For a full breakdown of how the major platforms compare, the best EHR for private practice in 2026 covers the landscape in detail.

Here's how SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, and Upheal compare on the features therapists most often cite when switching:

How to switch from SimplePractice to Upheal

Switching from SimplePractice to Upheal takes most therapists just a few days.

1. Export your data from SimplePractice. Go to Settings > My Account > Export Data. You'll receive a CSV of client information and a PDF archive of clinical notes. Start this before anything else. It can take 24 to 48 hours to process.
2. Create your Upheal account. Start for free, no credit card required. Onboarding takes about 10 minutes and covers your practice profile, session rates, and telehealth link.
3. Import your client list. Upload the SimplePractice CSV through Upheal's onboarding flow. Client names, contact information, and demographics map automatically.
4. Configure billing. Set your session rates and connect payment processing through Upheal's billing and payments setup. Superbill settings can be configured here too.
5. Run your first AI-assisted session. Schedule a session and let the AI draft the clinical note. Most therapists find the note is ready to review in under 5 minutes.
6. Run both systems in parallel for one week, then cancel SimplePractice.

See the full SimplePractice vs Upheal comparison

How to switch from TherapyNotes to Upheal

Switching from TherapyNotes follows the same basic steps as SimplePractice. Historical notes stay in your export files as a reference; new notes start in Upheal from day one.

1. Export your client list. In TherapyNotes, go to Reports > Client List and export as a CSV.
2. Archive your clinical notes. Download your client charts before you begin. These stay in your files as a reference for prior sessions.
3. Create your Upheal account. Start free. Practice setup takes about 10 minutes.
4. Import your client list and start fresh notes. Upload the CSV to Upheal. All new session notes are created in Upheal going forward, with AI assistance.
5. Configure billing. Set up your session rates and payment processing. Give yourself a few days for billing to feel right before your first live session.
6. Run parallel for one week, then cancel TherapyNotes.

See the full TherapyNotes vs Upheal comparison

What happens to your data when you switch

Your client records, notes, and billing history belong to you, not your EHR.

SimplePractice and TherapyNotes both offer full data exports on request. Your client records, billing history, and note archives all transfer. You'll configure your workflows and preferences fresh in Upheal, but your client-facing practice continues without interruption.

For ongoing client care, the most important transfer is your active client list. Historical notes stay accessible in your export archive, and new notes start fresh in Upheal. There's no gap in care during the transition.

Have more questions about switching EHR software?

Can I import my data from SimplePractice?

Yes. SimplePractice exports client data as a CSV and clinical notes as PDFs, both of which you can import or archive when setting up Upheal.

What does Upheal cost compared to SimplePractice?

Upheal charges €0.85 per session, capped at €59/month, with no add-ons for AI notes, telehealth, or billing. SimplePractice's Essential plan starts at $79/month for solo practitioners, before add-ons. For most full-time caseloads, Upheal costs €10 less per month and includes AI clinical notes as standard.

Will my clients notice when I switch EHRs?

Your clients will not notice a change in their care. If you use telehealth, you will share a new session link. Most clients adapt in one session.

What happens to my billing history?

Billing history from your previous EHR stays accessible in your old account until you cancel. Export it before you leave. Upheal's billing history starts fresh from the date you begin.

Do I need to tell clients I'm switching to AI-assisted notes?

Yes. Best practice is to update your informed consent documentation to describe AI-assisted note creation. Upheal's onboarding includes consent language you can adapt.

Is Upheal HIPAA compliant?

Yes. Upheal is HIPAA compliant and signs a Business Associate Agreement with every practice.

Running your practice shouldn't cost you nights and weekends

Most therapists don't switch EHRs because they're looking for something new. They switch because staying stopped making sense.

If that's where you are, Upheal is $1 a session, capped at $69 a month. AI notes built in, not added on. Everything you need to run your practice in one place. And, Upheal Assistant takes care of what needs doing. Notes, billing, scheduling, all handled with one prompt.

Start free at upheal.io/signup