Getting licensed and starting a practice is expensive. I wanted to share some of the tools I am aware of that are FREE and a few tips for getting some things discounted.

This includes directories, Electronic Health Record systems, Fax utilities, telehealth video platforms, and more.
Remember that I will do my best, but you need to make sure to do your own due diligence about checking for current prices and HIPAA compliance.
This post was last updated in January 2025.
FREE Electronic Health Records (EHR) Software
Carepatron - Carepatron has a free tier for their HIPAA-compliant EHR software that includes 1GB of storage, access to templates for intake and notes, individual telehealth video calls (paid tier is needed to access group video calls), online booking/scheduling, invoicing (through Stripe), and other things common to EHR software.
FREE HIPAA Compliant Telehealth Platform
Doxy.me - Doxy.me has a free tier for HIPAA-compliant video conferencing. It has very basic and limited features, but is an accessible option for if you are a telehealth provider who just needs that basic functionality.
Carepatron - Carepatron's free tier includes a HIPAA-compliant telehealth video calls (paid tier is needed to access group video calls) platform.
FREE HIPAA Compliant FAX
Doximity Docfax - Doximity DocFax is a free option for HIPAA-compliant faxing. I believe that it only functions through an iOS and Android app.
FREE Directory Listings
Open Path Collective - Open Path is free for therapists to list on, and therapists who refer other therapists to the collective get $50 per colleague referral. To join the collective, you agree to see Open Path clients on an out-of-pocket sliding scale of $40-$80. The collective costs clients a one-time lifetime membership of $65. The sliding scale rates are comparable to many copays, making them affordable for clients without access to mental health insurance.
Choosing Therapy - Choosing Therapy is free for therapists and clients to access. Therapists can link their live calendars, so that prospective clients can book an appointment day and time directly from the site.
Therapy Route - Therapy Route has a free listing option for therapists and is free for clients to use.
Online Therapy - Online Therapy is free for clients and has a free option for therapists who link back to the directory on their own websites by using a site badge.
TherapyDen - This is technically a free listing, but as far as I can tell, you will not show up in TherapyDen searches unless you pay.
Marriage.com - Marriage.com is free for both clients and therapists. Marriage.com is specific to providing marriage and relationship therapy services.
TherapyByPro - TherapyByPro is free for both therapists and clients.
MyWellbeing - MyWellbeing has a free listing option for therapists and is free for clients. They also have a $15 colleague referral program.
OutList - Outlist on OutCare is free for both therapists and clients. It is specific to providers who provide LGBTQ+ competent care. OutCare also provides LGBTQ+ care training courses for a fee.
A Therapist Like Me - A Therapist Like Me is free for both therapists and clients, and the upgrade option is very affordable at $25 a year. A Therapist Like Me focuses on connecting minority therapists with minority clients.
DISCOUNTED / INEXPENSIVE Directory Listings
Psychology Today - As of the most recent update of this post, you can also get listed for FREE for 6 months on Psychology Today.
Mental Health Match - As of the most recent update of this post, Mental Health Match provides a free 60 day trial when you sign up. Then if you also enter a colleague referral code at sign up, like my code: CXN1686667D, to stack another 2 free months for a total of 4 FREE months being listed at Mental Health Match.
Neurodivergent Therapists - Neurodivergent Therapists has a one time fee of $25 for both therapists and and is free for clients. Neurodivergent Therapists focuses on connecting neurodivergent therapists with clients.
Being Seen - You can get a discounted lifetime/one-time fee for listing on Being Seen if you are also an Open Path therapist. The normal lifetime fee is $150, and the discounted fee is $100. Being Seen also has a different colleague referral setup, since they cannot leverage free months of being listed, referrals get you a free month as a "featured therapist."
DISCOUNTED Malpractice Insurance
I'm not going to link a specific provider here, but I did want to remind you to check with your professional association for discounts. I know that AAMFT members can get a small discount with CPH, and the same might be true for other psychotherapy-related professional associations.
DISCOUNTED Electronic Health Records (EHR) Software
SimplePractice - SimplePractice offers a 30-day free trial of their HIPAA-compliant practice management software, including features like scheduling, client portals, documentation, and insurance billing tools.
If there is another EHR system you have been looking at, make sure to check if they have a free trial option to check them out through, many do!
I have tried to provide links directly to the applicable pages of these sites. As a quick note, none of these companies have asked me to do this, though I do use my referral links where there is one. These are things I know about that I am choosing to share because I know that funds can be tight when you are just getting started. I will do my best to keep this list updated as I become aware of changes and new options.