Mental health professionals on Reddit are unanimous about one thing: documentation is drowning them in paperwork. Therapists across r/therapists, r/psychotherapy, and r/mentalhealth consistently report spending 30-60 minutes per client on notes alone, leaving many questioning whether they can sustain their practice long-term.
The solution gaining massive Reddit traction? AI-powered therapy note generators that can reduce documentation time from hours to minutes while maintaining clinical accuracy and HIPAA compliance. But with dozens of AI therapy tools flooding the market, which ones actually deliver on their promises?
We analyzed thousands of Reddit comments, forum discussions, and therapist reviews from the past 12 months to identify the 7 AI therapy note tools that mental health professionals are actually using and recommending to their colleagues. This isn't marketing fluff – these are real tools tested by real therapists dealing with real caseloads.
Rather than relying on vendor claims or sponsored content, we dove deep into authentic therapist discussions across multiple Reddit communities and professional forums. Our analysis included:
Reddit Communities Analyzed:
Evaluation Criteria Based on Reddit Priorities:
Every tool recommendation below includes direct quotes from Reddit users with links to original threads for verification.
Reddit Consensus: "S10.ai has become my go-to after trying 6 different platforms. The accuracy is unmatched, especially for psychiatric terminology and MSE sections." - u/PsychDocMD
S10.ai has rapidly gained traction in Reddit therapy communities for delivering what many users call "the most clinically accurate notes" they've encountered. Built specifically for mental health professionals, the platform focuses on 99% transcription accuracy and psychiatry-ready templates.
Key Features Reddit Users Love:
Reddit User Experience:
"I've been using S10.ai for 8 months now. It's the only tool that consistently gets psychiatric medication names right and understands therapy modalities like DBT and EMDR without me having to explain every acronym." - u/TherapistLife2024
HIPAA Compliance:
✅ Full HIPAA compliance with signed BAA
✅ End-to-end encryption for all session data
✅ Zero data retention policy - audio deleted after processing
Best For: Solo practitioners and group practices prioritizing clinical accuracy and comprehensive EHR integration.
Template Sample - S10.ai Therapy Progress Note:
Section
Generated Content Example
Subjective
Client reports improved mood stability over the past week (7/10 vs previous 4/10). Describes implementing DBT distress tolerance skills during conflict with spouse. Notes decreased frequency of panic attacks from daily to 2-3 times weekly.
Objective
Alert and oriented x3. Maintained good eye contact throughout session. Speech rate normal, mood appeared euthymic with occasional labile affect when discussing family stressors. No suicidal or homicidal ideation expressed.
Assessment
Client demonstrates continued progress in emotional regulation skills. Panic disorder symptoms show marked improvement with consistent use of grounding techniques. Marital stressors remain significant trigger but client utilizing healthy coping strategies.
Plan
Continue weekly individual therapy focusing on DBT skills application. Homework: practice mindfulness exercises daily, implement PLEASE skills during marital discussions. Schedule couples therapy consultation. Monitor mood daily using provided tracking sheet.
Reddit Consensus: "Twofold was less than half the price of Freed and lets you build your own note templates—huge for mental-health workflow." - u/Throwaway-PsyD
Twofold Health dominates Reddit discussions for one primary reason: unmatched speed. Users consistently report note generation in under 30 seconds, making it the fastest AI therapy tool mentioned across multiple threads.
What Reddit Users Highlight:
Reddit User Experience:
"After evaluating 7 different vendors, we ended up going with Twofold. It ticked off most of the boxes, and we were super happy with their support team." - u/GroupPracticeOwner
Another user shared: "Accuracy was very good…customized note templates for specific needs." - u/PGY2-MD
Pricing & Value:
Pros According to Reddit:
Cons Noted by Users:
Best For: High-volume practices prioritizing speed and custom documentation workflows.
Reddit Consensus: "Mentalyc has been around the longest and really understands therapy workflows. The BIRP templates are spot-on for my practice." - u/LicensedTherapist
Mentalyc holds the distinction of being the most established AI therapy tool with the largest Reddit user base. Therapists consistently praise its therapy-specific design and team collaboration features.
Community Favorite Features:
Reddit Testimonials:
"The accuracy and the clinical way that the notes are written are just… fantastic. The quality still shocks me to this day. Like the names of certain disorders, the names of pharmaceuticals that people are taking get them perfect almost every single time." - Benjamen Saenz, LPC
"Before I was working with Mentalyc, I had severe problems with keeping up with my notes. The notes give me insights that help me conceptualize my clients better. I kind of feel like I have a little mini supervisor going with me everywhere I go." - Sophia Bakker, Temp LPC
Pricing Structure:
HIPAA & Security:
✅ Fully HIPAA compliant with BAA
✅ Data anonymization and encryption
✅ 60-day audio retention with deletion options
Template Sample - Mentalyc BIRP Note:
Component
Generated Example
Behavior
Client arrived on time, appeared well-groomed and alert. Maintained appropriate eye contact and engaged actively in session. Demonstrated good insight when processing recent anxiety triggers.
Intervention
Utilized cognitive restructuring techniques to address catastrophic thinking patterns. Practiced deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation. Assigned homework involving daily mood tracking and thought challenging worksheets.
Response
Client responded well to CBT interventions, showing decreased physiological anxiety symptoms during in-session practice. Expressed motivation to implement coping strategies between sessions. Reported feeling "more hopeful" about managing anxiety.
Plan
Continue weekly sessions focusing on anxiety management. Client will practice relaxation techniques daily and complete thought record homework. Schedule medication consultation if symptoms don't improve within 2 weeks.
Best For: Established practices wanting comprehensive therapy-specific features and team collaboration tools.
Reddit Consensus: "I've been using Upheal…records the session, then spits out SOAP, GIRP, DAP—all HIPAA-compliant once clients consent." - u/TherapyNoteNerd
Upheal has carved out a unique Reddit following by combining AI note generation with a complete telehealth platform. Users appreciate the all-in-one approach, especially during the telehealth boom.
Standout Features for Reddit Users:
Reddit User Feedback:
"The free tier is actually usable, not just a marketing trick. I've generated over 50 notes without paying anything, though I upgraded for the advanced features." - u/TeleTherapist
Pricing & Free Options:
Telehealth Integration Benefits:
Limitations Noted by Reddit:
Best For: Telehealth-focused practices wanting an all-in-one solution and therapists testing AI documentation risk-free.
Reddit Consensus: "Holy cannoli, it's real. Transcribes directly into paragraph form, handles follow-up questions, HIPAA-compliant with a BAA." - u/Snoo-Therapy90
Despite its $99/month price tag, Freed AI maintains a dedicated Reddit following for its superior narrative note quality and comprehensive medical focus.
Why Therapists Choose Freed Despite Cost:
Reddit Cost Justification:
"I could rationalize it as documentation is the bane of my ADHD existence (people spend $100/mo on gym memberships or cleaning companies, I can spend $100/mo on a tool to support me where I need it most too)." - u/More_Award6567
Pricing:
Pros Per Reddit Users:
Cons Frequently Mentioned:
Best For: Established practitioners prioritizing note quality over cost, multi-disciplinary practices serving medical and mental health needs.
Reddit Consensus: "I use Autonotes.ai and truly love it…With 2–3 sentences and a diagnosis, Autonotes does the rest. Totally changed the game for me." - u/neUTeriS
Autonotes.ai has built a Reddit following among budget-conscious therapists who prefer prompt-based note generation over full session recording.
Unique Approach Reddit Users Appreciate:
Reddit User Experience:
"AutoNotes.Ai is the best! And the customer service is awesome. They're constantly expanding and upgrading. Recommend without hesitation!" - u/old_college_student
Pricing Model:
Privacy Benefits:
Limitations from Reddit Feedback:
Best For: Privacy-conscious solo practitioners comfortable with prompt-based workflows and variable monthly costs.
Reddit Consensus: "Not a bad scribe and generates consistent notes…road-map feels slow though." - u/FamilyMedFan
Heidi Health receives mixed but generally positive Reddit reviews for its versatility across medical specialties, though therapists note it's not purpose-built for mental health.
Multi-Specialty Strengths:
Reddit Therapy-Specific Feedback:
"Hallucinations are an issue, but it writes better notes than my PA students and customisation is easy." - u/SeniorNeuroDoc
Pricing Options:
Therapy-Specific Limitations per Reddit:
Global Compliance Features:
Best For: Multi-specialty practices combining medical and mental health services, international practices requiring global compliance.
Tool
Starting Price
Free Trial
HIPAA/BAA
Templates
Reddit Verdict
S10.ai
$99/month
Contact
✅ Enterprise-grade
SOAP, DAP, BIRP, MSE
"Most accurate for psychiatry"
Twofold Health
$29/month
Self-serve pilot
✅ Included
Custom builder
"Fastest generation speed"
Mentalyc
$14.99/month
14 days (15 notes)
✅ Full compliance
100+ therapy templates
"Most established therapy tool"
Upheal
Free tier
Unlimited free notes
✅ With consent
SOAP, GIRP, DAP
"Best telehealth integration"
Freed AI
$99/month
10 visits free
✅ Premium BAA
Narrative focus
"Highest quality narratives"
Autonotes.ai
$0.50/note
14 days (10 notes)
✅ Privacy-first
SOAP, SIRP, DAP
"Most budget-friendly"
Heidi Health
Free tier
Basic features
✅ Global compliance
Custom templates
"Versatile but not therapy-specific"
Based on thousands of Reddit discussions, here's how to choose:
Choose S10.ai if you need:
Choose Twofold Health if you prioritize:
Choose Mentalyc if you want:
Choose Upheal if you prefer:
Choose Freed AI if you need:
Week 1: Setup and Initial Testing
Week 2-3: Pilot with Real Sessions
Month 2: Full Implementation
Reddit-Sourced Pro Tips:
Common Pitfalls to Avoid (Per Reddit):
Q: Are AI therapy notes actually HIPAA compliant?
A: Yes, but only if you choose platforms that specifically offer HIPAA compliance with signed BAAs. All tools in our top 7 provide this, but always verify before implementing.
Q: How accurate are AI-generated therapy notes compared to manual notes?
A: Reddit users report 85-95% accuracy for specialized therapy AI tools, with clinical accuracy improving significantly over general-purpose AI like ChatGPT. Manual review and editing remain essential.
Q: Can I use these tools for group therapy sessions?
A: Several platforms (Mentalyc, Upheal, S10.ai) support group sessions, but speaker identification accuracy varies. Most Reddit users recommend starting with individual sessions.
Q: What happens to recorded session data?
A: Privacy policies vary significantly. Tools like S10.ai and Twofold delete audio immediately after processing, while others retain data for specified periods. Always review data retention policies.
Q: Do these tools work with my EHR system?
A: Most top-rated tools offer either direct EHR integration or copy-paste workflows. S10.ai provides the broadest EHR compatibility, while EHR-native options (SimplePractice, TherapyNotes) offer seamless integration within their systems.
Q: How much time can I realistically save with AI notes?
A: Reddit users consistently report 30-60 minutes of daily time savings, with some high-volume practitioners saving 2+ hours daily. Time savings increase as you optimize templates and workflows.
Q: Can AI tools handle specialized therapy modalities like EMDR or DBT?
A: Therapy-specific platforms (S10.ai, Mentalyc) excel at recognizing specialized modalities, while general medical tools may require more editing. Test with your specific modalities before committing.
Q: What's the learning curve for implementing AI therapy notes?
A: Most Reddit users report 1-2 weeks to feel comfortable, with full workflow optimization taking 4-6 weeks. Platforms with better onboarding (Twofold, S10.ai) show faster adoption rates.
After analyzing thousands of Reddit discussions, forum posts, and user reviews, S10.ai emerges as the top choice for 2025. While each tool has its strengths, S10.ai consistently receives praise for its clinical accuracy, comprehensive EHR integration, and therapy-specific design.
The Reddit therapy community values tools that:
S10.ai delivers on all these priorities while providing the 99% accuracy and universal EHR compatibility that busy mental health professionals need.
Ready to reclaim your documentation time? Start with S10.ai's pilot to experience the accuracy and efficiency that's making it Reddit's rising favorite. Your future self – and your clients – will thank you for making the switch.
Join thousands of mental health professionals who've already reduced their documentation time by 30-60 minutes daily while improving note quality and compliance.
What is the best HIPAA-compliant AI progress note generator to use with SimplePractice?
The ideal HIPAA-compliant AI progress note generator for SimplePractice should sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), provide strong data encryption, and integrate smoothly with your workflow. Clinicians often recommend using an EHR-agnostic AI scribe alongside SimplePractice to maintain billing and scheduling while leveraging AI for fast, accurate SOAP, DAP, or BIRP notes. Prioritize platforms with transparent security measures and customizable templates to align with your clinical style. Implementing a dedicated AI scribe can boost documentation efficiency while ensuring patient data security.
How can an AI scribe for therapists realistically reduce documentation burnout and improve note accuracy?
An AI scribe can significantly reduce documentation burnout by automating progress note creation, saving therapists several hours weekly. This allows more focus on client care and less on administrative tasks. Leading AI platforms, trained on extensive clinical data, accurately apply clinical terminology. You can review and edit AI-generated drafts to ensure alignment with your professional judgment, streamlining documentation and easing the burden of manual note-taking.
What features should I prioritize in a SOAP note AI generator for my private practice based on Reddit reviews?
Reddit reviews suggest prioritizing the following features for a SOAP note AI generator in private practice: HIPAA Compliance: Ensure the platform provides a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Customizable Templates: Look for tools that allow tailoring of SOAP, DAP, or other note formats to your needs. Fast Note Generation: Quick turnaround time is critical for efficiency. Workflow Flexibility: Choose between dictation-only or full-session recording based on your preference. Evaluate how AI scribes balance these features to find the best fit for your practice.
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