Best AI Progress Notes for Private-Practice Counselors (2026)
By Ilan Sender, Founder & Editor · Last updated Aug 8, 2026
ClinicAI is independently researched and edited. We are not clinicians, and nothing here is medical advice — we compare practice software so you can decide. How we evaluate tools.
This is an independent editorial comparison based on vendor documentation, pricing, and security pages — not on reviews collected on this site. We have not tested note accuracy; trial any shortlist on your own visit types before paying. See our methodology.
| Feature | Upheal | Mentalyc | AutoNotes | Supanote | Yung Sidekick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free + up to $69/mo | $19.99–$119.99/mo | $29–$69/mo | $29.99–$89.99/mo | $39.99–$99.99/mo |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 14 days | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days |
| Rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet | No reviews yet | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| HIPAA | Independently audited | Independently audited | Self-reported | Self-reported | Self-reported |
| Top EHRs | None documented | SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, Jane | None documented | None documented | None documented |
| Best For | Therapists with lighter caseloads (pay-per-session pricing) or anyone open to replacing their EHR entirely | Therapists on SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, Jane, or TheraNest who want notes pushed into their EHR instead of copy-paste | High-volume note writers on a budget — flat plans with unlimited notes on every tier | Multilingual practices and therapists who see couples and want that supported at the entry price | Price-sensitive solo therapists who want session insights and analytics, not just notes |
| Accuracy | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Setup Ease | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Our Recommendation
For private-practice counselors, the EHR question decides it: keep SimplePractice/TherapyNotes/Jane/TheraNest and want notes inside it → Mentalyc (SOC 2 Type II, real push); want an all-in-one or have no EHR → Upheal (SOC 2 Type II, pay-per-session, free plan). If budget is the hard constraint, AutoNotes ($29/month Economy, unlimited notes) — it self-reports HIPAA. Take the quiz to match your setup.
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Take the 30-second quizPrivate-Practice Counselors Pay Their Own Way — Optimize for Fit, Not Features
A private-practice counselor (LPC, LPCC, and similar) is running a small business: you pick the tools, you pay for them, and you own the compliance decision. The AI-notes question comes down to whether the tool fits your EHR (or replaces it), whether the price matches your caseload, and whether you can stand behind its data posture. All five dedicated therapy-notes tools we track fit solo and small-group practices — here's how to choose.
The Decision Framework
First question: do you already use an EHR you like?
- Yes, and it's SimplePractice/TherapyNotes/Jane/TheraNest: Mentalyc is the only dedicated therapy-AI tool that pushes notes directly into those — no copy-paste. HIPAA independently audited (SOC 2 Type II), recordings deleted within 3 days, $19.99–$119.99/month by note volume (couples and CPT codes require the $69.99 Pro tier).
- No, or you'd consider replacing it: Upheal is an all-in-one — telehealth, scheduling, client portal, treatment plans, and AI notes — at $1/session capped at $69/month, with a free plan for basic note types. HIPAA independently audited (SOC 2 Type II), BAA at signup.
Second question: how price-sensitive are you?
- Most formats on a budget: AutoNotes — unlimited notes on every plan, $29/month Economy (no free plan; 7-day trial), with SOAP/DAP/BIRP/GIRP/group/couples/family/EMDR formats and built-in records. HIPAA self-reported; BAA with every customer.
- Session insights, not just notes: Yung Sidekick — $39.99/month for up to 130 sessions (no free plan; trial only), with progress analytics. HIPAA self-reported.
- Multilingual practice: Supanote — 100+ language auto-detection, $29.99/month entry. HIPAA self-reported.
The Honest Recommendation
For most private-practice counselors, the EHR question decides it: keep your EHR and want notes inside it → Mentalyc; want an all-in-one or have no EHR → Upheal. Both are SOC 2 Type II attested, which is the cleanest answer when a client asks how their session data is handled.
If budget is the hard constraint, AutoNotes ($29/month Economy, unlimited notes) is the value workhorse — it self-reports HIPAA, so weigh that against the savings.
We have no review data to rank these by real-world counselor satisfaction and won't fabricate any. Trial two before paying.
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