TLDR (Summary)
The best contract software for therapists is Plutio ($19/month).
Standalone e-signature tools collect signatures but don't connect to your practice policies. Plutio contracts link to intake forms, invoices, and client records... so signed agreements become enforceable boundaries with clear paper trails.
Therapists get digital signatures, template libraries, automatic reminders, and signed agreements attached to client profiles. Clients sign through branded portals and access their agreements alongside session history.
Therapists using proper agreements reduce disputes through documented terms and clear expectations.
For additional strategies, read our guide to freelance contracts.
What is contract software for therapists?
Contract software for therapists is software that creates, sends, and tracks therapy agreements and informed consent documents with digital signature capability.
The distinction matters: informal verbal agreements leave therapists unprotected, contract software creates documented terms that both parties acknowledge. Therapy-focused contract software connects to intake forms, scheduling, and billing.
What therapist contract software actually does
Core functions include creating therapy agreement documents from templates, sending informed consent for digital signature, tracking signature completion, storing signed agreements securely, and connecting agreements to client records and workflow.
Email agreements vs contract software
Sending practice policies via email and receiving "I agree" replies lacks legal strength and organization. Contract software creates proper documents with signature verification and audit trails.
What makes therapy contracts different
Therapy agreements cover topics specific to the profession: session scheduling and cancellation policies, confidentiality boundaries and limits, scope of services (distinct from medical advice), informed consent for treatment, no-show fees, and what happens when clients need to pause or terminate treatment.
Unlike freelance service agreements that cover a single project with a defined end date, therapy agreements govern ongoing relationships that may last months or years. The agreement needs to address recurring sessions, evolving treatment goals, and the particular sensitivity of mental health information. Standard contract software built for project-based work does not handle these patterns well.
When contracts connect to scheduling and billing, the entire client relationship starts with clear expectations. Protection begins before the first session.
Why therapists need contract software
The real cost of missing or incomplete informed consent surfaces when a client disputes a charge, questions a cancellation fee, or files a board complaint. Without a signed, accessible document covering session terms, fee structures, and confidentiality limits, the therapist has no documented ground to stand on.
Informed consent in therapy covers more than a standard service agreement. Confidentiality boundaries with mandated reporting exceptions, cancellation policies with specific fee amounts, telehealth-specific privacy disclosures, and the scope of services that distinguishes therapy from medical advice all require documentation. Verbal agreements and emailed PDFs leave gaps that surface at the worst moments.
The cancellation dispute scenario
A client cancels 30 minutes before a session. The therapist charges a no-show fee. The client objects, saying they were never told about the policy. Without a signed cancellation policy with the specific fee amount documented, the therapist faces a choice: absorb the lost revenue or damage the therapeutic relationship by enforcing an undocumented term. According to the Freelancers Union, 58% of independent professionals have experienced payment issues, and unclear terms make those disputes harder to resolve.
The teletherapy compliance gap
Virtual sessions require separate informed consent covering technology platforms, privacy limitations of video conferencing, emergency protocols when the client is in a different location, and what happens if the connection drops mid-session. Many therapists added telehealth during the pandemic without updating their consent documentation. Standard therapy agreements don't address these scenarios, and clients signing an in-person consent form before receiving virtual services creates a documentation gap that exposes the practice to compliance risk.
The boundary documentation problem
Therapy involves unique boundary considerations: dual relationship policies, social media boundaries, communication between sessions, and what happens when a therapist encounters a client in public. These boundaries need documentation before they're tested. A client who messages at midnight expects a response because "between-session communication" was never defined. Without documented communication policies, boundaries erode gradually until the therapeutic relationship itself suffers.
The consent renewal blind spot
Informed consent isn't a one-time event. Practice policies change, fee structures adjust, and new services get added. A client who signed consent two years ago may have agreed to terms that no longer reflect current practice operations. Without tracking which version each client signed and when renewals are due, outdated agreements govern active relationships. The gap grows wider with each untracked policy change.
Connected contract software turns informed consent from a one-time checkbox into an active, trackable part of the therapeutic relationship. Plutio attaches signed agreements to client profiles, tracks renewal dates, and generates updated consent documents when practice policies change.
Contract features therapists need
The essential contract features for therapists connect agreements and e-signatures with intake workflows, session delivery, and client communication while handling the unique patterns that therapeutic work requires.
Core contract features
- Custom templates: Add your practice logo, brand colors, typography, and terms. The theme builder makes it easy - a few clicks and your entire brand is applied everywhere. Create different templates for individual therapy agreements, couples therapy agreements, group therapy consent. Set up once and apply with one click.
- Digital signatures: Legally binding e-signatures with audit trails documenting signature validity under ESIGN Act and eIDAS regulations.
- Automated reminders: Configure reminders for unsigned agreements. Follow-ups send automatically without you drafting messages or remembering to check status.
- Consent renewal tracking: Track when informed consent documents need renewal. Automatic notifications when agreements approach expiration dates.
- Template versioning: Update practice policies and push new versions to clients for re-signing. Track which clients signed which version of your agreements.
- Document storage: Signed agreements stored securely with search capability. Access by client, date, or document type.
Therapist-specific features
- Informed consent templates: Purpose-built for therapy including confidentiality limits, session policies, emergency procedures, and scope of services disclosures.
- Cancellation policy documentation: Clear no-show and late cancellation fee policies signed before the first session. Connected to automated fee application when policies are triggered.
- Telehealth consent: Separate consent for virtual sessions covering technology requirements, privacy considerations, and emergency protocols for remote clients.
- Minor client consent: Guardian consent templates for clients under 18 with appropriate authorization language and custody considerations.
Platform features that multiply value
- Practice-branded agreements: Therapy agreements and informed consent documents display your practice name, logo, and credentials. Clients sign under your brand, reinforcing the professional relationship from the first document they receive.
- Consent status in one view: When a client messages about cancellation terms or asks about their signed policies, the conversation threads next to their agreement history. You reference the exact signed clause without searching a separate folder.
- Clinical boundaries on access: Associates view and send agreements only for their own caseloads. Administrative staff handle signature follow-ups without seeing session-related information or fee structures for clients outside their scope.
- Consent renewal automation: Rules trigger re-signing requests when agreements approach expiration dates or when practice policies update. Outdated consent documents get flagged before they become compliance gaps.
Contract software earns its cost when signed agreements connect directly to intake forms, scheduling, and billing. The duplicate data entry that consumes hours every week disappears.
Contract software pricing for therapists
Contract software for therapists typically costs $10-50 per month, with integrated platforms providing complete functionality.
What therapists typically pay for contract tools
- DocuSign: $10-25/month for signatures only
- HelloSign: $15-25/month
- SimplePractice: $69-99/month (includes contracts)
- TherapyNotes: $49-59/month (therapy-specific)
Signature tools require separate systems for scheduling and billing. Therapy-specific platforms include contracts but at higher monthly costs.
Plutio pricing (February 2026)
- Core: $19/month: Unlimited contracts plus intake forms, scheduling, invoicing, client portals.
- Pro: $49/month: Unlimited clients, team features, advanced permissions.
- Max: $199/month: Unlimited team, advanced reporting, full white-labeling.
The ROI calculation for therapists
- Dispute prevention: Clear terms prevent costly misunderstandings about policies
- No-show fee enforcement: Documented policies support fee collection
- Professional positioning: Proper agreements build trust from the start
When comparing costs, remember that standalone e-signature tools still require separate systems for scheduling, invoicing, and client portals. Those additional subscriptions add up. Plutio bundles everything at $19/month, making the total cost lower than stacking three or four separate tools together.
A single prevented dispute or enforced no-show fee covers months of the $19/month subscription, and documented agreements prevent the uncomfortable conversations that damage client relationships.
Why Plutio is the best contract software for therapists
A signed therapy agreement only protects your practice if it stays connected to the client record, the cancellation policy you enforce, and the payment terms you bill against. In Plutio, every signed contract links directly to intake forms, session tracking, and invoicing -- so documented terms are always accessible when disputes arise.
Therapy agreement essentials
Professional therapy agreements establish boundaries before treatment begins. Scope of services, confidentiality limits, cancellation policies, payment terms. Clear expectations protect both therapist and client... and set the therapeutic relationship up for trust.
Confidentiality that creates safety
Therapeutic conversations require absolute trust. Clients share vulnerabilities, trauma, fears. Confidentiality clauses with clear limits (harm to self or others, mandated reporting) establish professional privacy... creating the safe space that effective therapy requires.
Informed consent documentation
Therapy requires informed consent before treatment begins. Clear documentation of treatment approach, potential risks and benefits, client rights, and alternatives... preventing misunderstandings about what the therapeutic relationship involves.
Cancellation and no-show policies
What happens when clients cancel sessions? How much notice is required? What fees apply for no-shows? Clear policies prevent frustration... and protect therapy schedules from last-minute disruptions that waste reserved time.
Electronic signature for easy enrollment
Therapy agreements go out for e-signature directly from Plutio. Clients sign from phone or computer. The intake process stays smooth and professional... converting inquiries to enrolled clients without friction.
Intake-to-agreement flow
When a new client completes intake forms, the therapy agreement generates automatically with session details included. No retyping terms. The signed agreement matches the intake information exactly.
Template library for different services
Individual therapy, couples counseling, group sessions, telehealth. Each service type has standard terms. Templates provide proven starting points... so agreement creation happens fast from tested foundations.
Scope of services language
Therapy provides treatment within the therapist's scope of practice. Clear limitations clarify what therapy is and isn't. Professional boundaries protect the therapist from expectations outside their competency... while clients understand what they're engaging.
Termination and referral terms
When treatment ends, what happens next? Continuation options, referral processes, transition planning. Clear next-steps language keeps the door open... and makes the termination conversation easier for both parties.
Storage connected to client records
Signed agreements attach to client records automatically. The therapeutic relationship documentation stays organized... with every agreement findable, not scattered across email and file systems.
Therapy agreements connect to intake workflows, professional boundaries, and client relationships... all working as part of the practice management workflow. That's contract management designed for how therapy practices actually operate.
How to set up contract software in Plutio
Setting up contracts in Plutio takes 30-60 minutes for initial configuration, then 5-10 minutes per client after your templates are in place.
Step 1: Configure default settings (30 mins)
Set your default session rate, standard cancellation policy, preferred currency, and no-show fee structure. These defaults apply automatically unless overridden for specific clients.
Step 2: Create templates (30-60 minutes)
Build 3-5 templates covering your common service types. For therapists, recommended templates include:
- Individual therapy agreement: Standard terms for ongoing individual sessions including confidentiality, cancellation, and payment policies.
- Couples therapy agreement: Additional terms covering joint confidentiality and individual session policies.
- Telehealth consent: Technology requirements, privacy considerations, and emergency protocols for virtual sessions.
- Minor client consent: Guardian authorization with custody considerations.
Step 3: Connect payment processing (20 mins)
Link Stripe and/or PayPal to accept online payments. Both take 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Test each payment method before using with clients.
Step 4: Set up integrations (30 mins)
Connect your calendar (Google Calendar or Outlook) for scheduling sync. If you use accounting software, connect that as well. Test each integration before relying on it.
Step 5: Test with one real intake
Run through the complete workflow with an actual new client. Send intake forms, generate the agreement, collect signature, schedule the first session, and confirm receipt. Real interaction reveals friction that test scenarios miss.
Common setup mistakes to avoid
- Over-customizing too early: Start with minimal templates and refine based on actual use.
- Ignoring mobile: Download the mobile apps during setup and test key workflows.
- Skipping legal review: Have an attorney review your template language for your jurisdiction. Requirements vary by state and license type, so what works in California may not meet requirements in New York. A one-time review costs far less than dealing with an unenforceable agreement after a dispute arises.
Build templates for your core services. Handle specialty situations by customizing the closest template rather than trying to create templates for every possible scenario.
Contract templates for therapists
Therapy agreement templates document the terms that protect your practice while setting clients up for successful treatment.
Essential template types for therapists
- Standard therapy agreement: Ongoing individual session terms
- Couples therapy agreement: Joint and individual confidentiality terms
- Group therapy consent: Group participation and confidentiality terms
- Telehealth consent: Virtual session technology and privacy terms
Essential agreement sections
- Services description: What therapy includes and the approach used
- Session terms: Duration, frequency, scheduling requirements
- Fees and payment: Session rates, sliding scale if applicable, payment timing
- Cancellation/no-show: Notice requirements and fee consequences
- Confidentiality: Limits including mandated reporting obligations
- Emergency procedures: Crisis resources and emergency contacts
- Termination: How either party can end the relationship
Template proven methods
- Use clear language clients understand, avoiding excessive jargon that creates confusion rather than protection
- Cover common scenarios before they occur, including late arrivals, payment disputes, and emergency situations
- Balance legal protection with accessibility so clients actually read and understand what they sign
- Have an attorney review for your jurisdiction and license type before using with real clients
- Review and update templates annually to reflect changes in your practice policies and state regulations
Customization for individual clients
While templates provide your standard terms, individual clients sometimes need modifications. Sliding scale clients may have adjusted payment terms. Couples clients need additional confidentiality language. Group therapy participants need terms about group dynamics and shared confidentiality obligations. Starting from a template and adjusting for the specific situation cuts setup from 30 minutes to under 5 while ensuring nothing critical gets overlooked.
Agreement templates encode your practice policies. Consistent, clear terms across all clients prevent misunderstandings and build trust.
Client portals for therapists: contract access
Client portals provide organized access to agreements, reducing repeated requests and maintaining professional documentation.
Agreement access through portals
Clients access their signed agreements anytime through portals. No email requests for copies. Terms always available for reference.
Signature through portals
New agreements appear in client portals for review and signature. Plutio's white-label portals display your custom domain, your logo, your colors, and your fonts with no third-party branding anywhere. Clients sign therapy agreements at yourpractice.com - not on a page branded with someone else's software logo. In therapy, where clients share deeply personal information, signing a consent document on a URL they recognize as yours reinforces the safety and professionalism of the relationship from the first interaction.
Document organization
Agreements alongside other client documents: intake forms, practice policies, and invoices. Complete relationship documentation in one place.
Professional presentation
Portal-based contract access signals organizational capability. Clients experience professional practice management from the start.
Reference during treatment
When questions arise about terms, clients can reference the agreement themselves. Self-service reduces friction around policy discussions. Instead of pausing a session to pull up a document or sending a follow-up email with the policy details, clients check their portal on their own time.
Version history and updates
When practice policies change, updated agreements appear in the client portal alongside the original version. Clients can compare what changed, review the new terms, and sign the updated document through the same portal they already use. No confusion about which version applies or whether the client received the update.
Multi-document organization
Therapy relationships often involve multiple documents: the initial therapy agreement, telehealth consent, cancellation policies, and any amendments. Portal organization groups these documents by client relationship so everything stays findable. When a client asks about any agreement detail, both of you can locate the answer in seconds rather than digging through email threads or filing systems.
Portal contract access maintains professional standards. Documentation available to clients without administrative burden on you.
How to migrate contracts to Plutio
Migration from another contract system typically takes 1-2 hours of active work spread over a weekend, with the best time to switch being between client intakes rather than mid-treatment.
Step 1: Export from your current tool
Most contract software provides document export. Here's what to export from common tools:
- DocuSign: Download signed documents from your account. Export contact list for reference.
- HelloSign: Export your contacts and signed documents from the Reports section.
- SimplePractice: Export client list and download consent documents manually.
Step 2: Build templates in Plutio (45-60 minutes)
Use your existing agreements as reference to create new templates. Start with your most-used agreement type. Recreate 2-3 core templates initially rather than migrating every document. Focus on forward-looking workflows.
Step 3: Set up integrations (30 mins)
Connect payment processing (Stripe, PayPal), calendar sync (Google Calendar, Outlook), and accounting software if used. Test each integration before relying on it for real client work.
Step 4: Import client data (30 mins)
Upload your client CSV to Plutio. Map fields appropriately. For active clients with signed agreements, maintain records in both systems during transition. For new clients, use Plutio from the start.
Step 5: Run parallel for new clients
Use Plutio for all new client intakes while keeping the old system for reference. As clients naturally renew consent or begin new treatment phases, transition them to Plutio agreements.
Step 6: Phase out the old tool
Once all active clients are transitioned (typically 30-60 days), cancel that subscription. Export final archives before cancellation so you retain records of all previously signed agreements for your files.
Common migration pitfalls to avoid
- Trying to migrate everything: Focus on active clients and forward-looking workflows.
- Switching mid-treatment: Let active clients continue on the old system for existing agreements.
- Not testing integrations: Verify everything works before relying on it.
- Skipping legal review: Have new templates reviewed by an attorney.
Once migrated, every new client signs a proper therapy agreement before their first session, and every existing client's consent document is searchable from their profile instead of buried in an email thread or filing cabinet.
