Acuity or Simple Practice? What Therapists Wish They’d Known First
After the homepage works… this is the decision that quietly shapes everything.
Not long ago, I wrote about how a therapist’s homepage should feel clear, calm, and easy to navigate — not just visually, but emotionally. A homepage that helps potential clients understand who you are, what you offer, and what to do next without feeling overwhelmed.
But here’s the part that often gets overlooked: what happens after someone clicks “Book a session.”
Because even the most thoughtfully designed homepage can quietly fall apart if the system behind that button doesn’t support the way you actually practice. That’s usually when therapists start asking a different question — not about design, but about systems.
Acuity or Simple Practice?
And more importantly, what do other therapists wish they had known before choosing?
This post isn’t here to crown a winner. It’s here to slow the decision down — just enough — so you can choose with clarity instead of pressure.
A quick note for transparency:
This article includes affiliate links for both Acuity and Simple Practice. That means if you choose to explore or sign up through one of these links, I may receive a small commission — at no extra cost to you.I share this because I believe in being open, not because I believe one system is “better” than the other. This comparison is written to help you choose what genuinely fits your practice, even if that means using neither of them.
The Decision That Feels Technical (But Isn’t)
On the surface, choosing between Acuity and Simple Practice looks like a software decision.
Calendars. Forms. Payments. Notes.
But if you listen closely to how therapists talk about this choice in forums, peer groups, and late-night searches, you’ll notice something else underneath.
They’re not really asking about features.
They’re asking:
Will this make my day easier or heavier?
Will this help me feel more grounded — or more behind?
Will this system grow with me, or trap me?
Because the truth is: practice software shapes your nervous system more than most people admit.
And that’s why so many therapists feel regret after choosing — even when the tool itself is “good.”
What Many Therapists Think They’re Choosing (But Aren’t)
When therapists first compare Acuity and Simple Practice, the internal script usually sounds like this:
“I just need something to handle scheduling.”
Or:
“I want everything in one place so I don’t have to think about it.”
Both are reasonable goals.
Both can also lead to frustration if the deeper context isn’t considered.
Because you’re not just choosing:
a booking system
or an EHR
You’re choosing:
how much mental overhead you carry each day
how much control you have over your workflow
how flexible (or rigid) your practice becomes
That’s the part most comparison articles skip.
What Therapists Often Wish They Had Known About Simple Practice
Simple Practice is one of the most widely used platforms among therapists — and for good reason. For many clinicians, especially those working with insurance or managing multiple clients, it can feel like a relief to have everything in one place.
But “everything in one place” also comes with trade-offs.
Here’s what therapists often say they wish they had understood earlier.
It’s Not Just a Tool — It’s a System You Adapt To
Simple Practice works best when your practice fits neatly into its structure.
For some therapists, that’s exactly what they want:
clear documentation workflows
standardized notes
built-in telehealth
integrated billing
For others, it can feel like adjusting your practice to the software — instead of the other way around.
This doesn’t make Simple Practice bad. It just means it works best for certain practice models.
You May Pay for Features You Rarely Use
A common reflection from solo and cash-based therapists is this:
“I don’t use half of what I’m paying for.”
Simple Practice is powerful, but not everyone needs:
insurance claims
advanced billing tools
large document libraries
If your practice is intentionally simple, the platform can sometimes feel heavier than necessary.
It Can Feel Emotionally “Busy”
This one is subtle, but important.
Several therapists describe Simple Practice as:
efficient, but dense
capable, but mentally noisy
When your work already requires emotional presence, even small friction in a system can feel amplified.
If you’re curious to explore Simple Practice’s current features and pricing in detail, you can review it here — just take your time. Choosing practice software is rarely a decision you want to rush.
What Therapists Often Wish They Had Known About Acuity
Acuity is frequently underestimated in therapy conversations.
It’s often described as “just a scheduler,” which misses what many therapists later realize: Acuity is not limited — it’s modular.
Here’s what therapists commonly reflect on after using it.
It Gives You More Control — and More Responsibility
Acuity doesn’t try to be your entire practice.
Instead, it does a few things very well:
client self-scheduling
availability rules
automated reminders
intake forms
payments at booking
For therapists who value flexibility, this can feel liberating.
But it also means you decide how the rest of your system works:
where notes live
how telehealth is handled
how records are stored
Some therapists love this autonomy. Others find it stressful.
It Works Best for Cash-Based and Solo Practices
Acuity tends to shine when:
you’re cash-based
you want clients to self-schedule easily
you value a clean, client-friendly booking experience
you prefer lightweight systems
Many therapists say they didn’t realize how well Acuity could support a calm, streamlined practice — if they were clear about their boundaries.
If you want to explore Acuity’s setup and options, you can review it hereand see whether its flexibility matches how you work.
It Doesn’t Pretend to Be Everything
This is both a strength and a limitation.
Acuity won’t manage your entire clinical workflow.
But it also won’t overwhelm you with features you don’t need.
For therapists who want simplicity without rigidity, this distinction matters a lot.
The Question That Changes the Entire Decision
Here’s the question that reframes everything — and the one many therapists say they wish someone had asked them sooner:
What kind of practice am I actually running right now?
Not:
the practice you imagine five years from now
the practice someone on Instagram is modeling
But the one you’re holding today.
Ask yourself:
Am I solo or planning to grow?
Do I accept insurance or plan to stay cash-based?
Do I want structure or flexibility?
Do I want one system or a few simple ones?
Your answers matter more than any feature list.
Why There Is No “Best” Choice (And Why That’s a Relief)
One of the most damaging ideas in practice building is the belief that there’s a single “right” system — and that choosing wrong means you failed.
In reality:
practices evolve
systems change
therapists migrate tools all the time
Choosing Acuity now doesn’t lock you out of Simple Practice later.
Using Simple Practice today doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever.
This isn’t a marriage.
It’s a phase-appropriate decision.
And that perspective alone reduces so much unnecessary pressure.
How to Choose Without Regret
Instead of asking which one is better, try these questions:
Does this system reduce or increase my daily mental load?
Does it support how I work — or how I feel I should work?
Can I imagine using this calmly six months from now?
Does it make the client experience clearer or more complicated?
If you answer honestly, the right option usually becomes obvious.
A Quiet Closing Thought
Your homepage sets expectations.
Your booking system fulfills them.
When those two are aligned, clients feel it — and so do you.
Whether that alignment comes from an all-in-one platform like Simple Practice or a flexible tool like Acuity matters less than choosing intentionally.
You don’t need the most popular system.
You don’t need the most robust system.
You need the one that lets you show up — consistently, calmly, and sustainably — for the work that actually matters.
And if you’re still unsure?
That usually means you’re asking the right questions.
Take another sip of coffee.
You’re allowed to choose slowly.
