April 15, 2022
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), building a steady referral base and finding the right clients is key to growing your practice. Fortunately, several mental health platforms have emerged to connect providers with clients, streamline billing, and simplify insurance. If you’re looking to expand your network and streamline your business, here are some of the best platforms designed specifically to support mental health professionals.
Many PMHNPs find that these platforms offer a direct path to clients while also reducing administrative burdens. From managing insurance and credentialing to client intake, these services help PMHNPs focus on patient care. However, it’s important to know what to expect. Based on recent data, credentialing on these platforms can take anywhere from 1-2 months. Additionally, depending on your state, it may take 3-5 months to start receiving a steady flow of referrals. Understanding these timelines is crucial for planning as you grow your practice.
Demand for mental health services varies by state, with some states experiencing especially high need due to shortages of mental health professionals. Here are some states where PMHNPs are in high demand:
If you’re a PMHNP practicing in one of these states, joining a mental health platform could connect you to clients faster due to the high demand for services.
Headway is popular among PMHNPs because of its focus on connecting providers with insurance-paying clients. According to Forbes, Headway’s platform simplifies the administrative side of mental health practices, offering insurance verification, billing, and client management.
“Headway’s mission is to make mental healthcare accessible and affordable, and it does this by bridging the gap between providers and patients who need help,” says Andrew Adams, co-founder of Headway.
This platform is ideal for PMHNPs in high-demand states like California and New York, where there’s a large pool of clients seeking covered services.
Sign up with Headway to get started with insurance support and client referrals.
Alma is an excellent choice if you’re looking to expand your practice with both referrals and community support. Alma provides marketing assistance, insurance billing resources, and ongoing professional networking opportunities to help PMHNPs thrive. This platform can be particularly helpful for those practicing in Texas or Florida, where Alma’s community events and resources help you stand out.
Alma emphasizes not only client connections but also sustainable practice growth.
"Alma isn't just about getting clients; it's about building a sustainable, balanced practice," shares one PMHNP who has used Alma to grow their client base.
Sign up with Alma to build a stable practice and tap into a supportive network of mental health professionals.
Grow Therapy focuses on supporting the business side of mental health practices, making it a favorite among PMHNPs looking to reduce administrative tasks. Grow Therapy provides insurance support, client matching, and data-driven metrics to help PMHNPs track and improve their practice. This platform is particularly beneficial in high-demand states like New York and California, where new PMHNPs can quickly build a client base.
Get started with Grow Therapy to find new clients while simplifying billing and client management.
For PMHNPs interested in telehealth, Amwell is a leading platform that provides access to clients across state lines, making it ideal for PMHNPs in states like Texas and Florida, where demand for virtual mental health services is high. Amwell handles billing, scheduling, and integrates with electronic health records (EHR), which is helpful if you’re managing multiple clients.
With Amwell, you can reach clients in underserved or rural areas where in-person services may not be available.
Sign up for Amwell to expand your reach with telehealth services.
As one of the largest online therapy platforms, BetterHelp provides PMHNPs with access to a global audience of clients. The platform primarily serves self-pay clients, which means no insurance hassles, and allows you to set your own hours, making it ideal for those in states with slower insurance credentialing times, like Massachusetts.
“BetterHelp allows us to focus on what matters most—helping clients—without the usual business complexities,” says a PMHNP who has worked with the platform for over a year.
Join BetterHelp to reach clients worldwide and enjoy flexible scheduling.
Talkspace offers a variety of virtual care options, connecting PMHNPs with clients for video, audio, and text-based sessions. With its established presence, Talkspace has a large client base, providing a steady flow of referrals, especially for PMHNPs in high-demand states like New York and California. This platform manages billing and streamlines patient management, making it ideal for busy PMHNPs.
“Talkspace has transformed the way we reach clients,” says one PMHNP. “Especially those who feel more comfortable seeking help through virtual sessions.”
Learn more about Talkspace to offer flexible, virtual mental health services to clients across different locations.
Although not exclusively for mental health, Zocdoc has become a popular choice for PMHNPs looking to build local visibility and attract clients in high-demand states. By listing on Zocdoc, clients can easily search and book appointments based on their insurance and your availability. This can be especially helpful in high-demand areas like California and New York, where Zocdoc is widely used.
Many PMHNPs find that Zocdoc’s client review system boosts credibility, helping attract more referrals over time.
Join Zocdoc to reach clients actively seeking mental health services in your area.
For those looking for a more comprehensive practice management solution, SimplePractice offers everything from scheduling and billing to telehealth services. While it isn’t a dedicated referral network, SimplePractice is a powerful platform for streamlining your practice’s administrative tasks. PMHNPs in states like Massachusetts and New York, where credentialing and billing can be complex, may find it especially useful.
"SimplePractice has everything in one place, from scheduling to billing to secure video sessions," says one PMHNP.
Explore SimplePractice to simplify your practice management and stay organized.
Choosing the right platform can significantly impact your practice, helping you reach more clients and manage your business with ease. While credentialing can take a month or two, and client referrals may take up to five months to pick up, these platforms are designed to support you every step of the way. If you’re in a high-demand state, the process can be quicker, with referrals more likely to flow steadily.
Each of these platforms offers unique advantages, from reducing administrative work to expanding telehealth services. Choose the one that aligns best with your goals and your state’s demand to build a successful and sustainable practice.
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