Why An EHR Actually Matters to You

Remember that classic scene in old movies where the detective blows a thick layer of dust off a forgotten file? For a long time, that wasn't too far from the reality of a counselor's organizational methods. Counselors are experts in the human mind, but our filing systems sometimes are not too expert-like. Counselors would have towers of manila folders, handwriting that could charitably be called "artistic," and the occasional frantic search for a note from six months ago that they knew was in there somewhere… probably.

But thankfully, those days are no longer for most, and that is because of EHR systems. EHR stands for Electronic Health Record. Think of it as a secure, smart, digital version of that old, overflowing filing cabinet. It’s where, with the utmost confidentiality, we keep session notes, treatment plans, and track the progress people are making.

You might think, "Okay, great for you, less paper. But why does this matter to me?"

Though it may sound boring, this is something I have spent hundreds of hours thinking about this year. My job as Clinical Director includes, among other things, decision-making around what EHR Timber Creek should use. After hundreds of hours of research and trying different options, we are excited to change our EHR to a software called Healthie. Yes, this is mundane in some ways, but for us, it also deeply matters for doing work, as it helps us be even more focused on the very human parts of helping people. 

Why are we making an EHR change?

• Not all EHRs are built the same. Some can function in a way that truly serves the clients needs more effectively and some cannot. We analyzed what would make three levels of improvement - for clients, counselors, and administrators.

• Client and counselor feedback: in the last years we have conducted numerous surveys to hear about what is going well and not going well. Our EHR change will address nearly all of the feedback we have received. 

But why does this really impact me?

1. More Time and Focus on… You!

With an improved EHR, the hope is that counselors spend less time on repetitive or inefficient administrative tasks and can spend more time thinking about and supporting their clients.

2. Fort Knox for Your Feelings

What is discussed in therapy is deeply personal. Privacy isn't just a preference; it's the foundation of trust. A locked metal cabinet is decent, but a modern, HIPAA-compliant EHR is a digital fortress. All systems Timber Creek has ever used have advanced encryption and strict access controls, meaning your information is often far more secure than it ever was in a paper file that could be misplaced, damaged, or seen by the wrong eyes. This was true and will continue to be true under our new EHR.

3. Your Healthcare Team Can Actually Be a Team

Have you ever had to coordinate care between your therapist, your primary care physician, and maybe a psychiatrist? It used to involve a frustrating game of phone tag and faxes sent into the void.

With an EHR (and always with your explicit, written consent!), we can securely share relevant information with your other providers. This means your doctor can understand the emotional component of your physical symptoms, and I can be aware of medication changes that might affect your mood. It helps your entire care team work together seamlessly for you.

4. We Can See Your Journey Unfold

One of the most powerful things in therapy is seeing how far you've come. An EHR makes this tangible. We can track progress on your goals, notice patterns over time, and celebrate milestones in a clear, visual way. Instead of me saying, "I think you're handling anxiety better," we can look back and see the evidence together. It’s like having a map of your personal growth, and it’s an amazing thing to witness. In our new EHR, there will be more functions for us to interact with you around your goals, not just during the session but also during the week (this will be an optional feature).

The Bottom Line

For us, an EHR is about providing you with the most secure, most efficient, and most integrated care. It’s about clearing away the administrative clutter so we can focus on the heart of our work together.