Google Meet for Teletherapy: A Therapist’s Guide to HIPAA-Compliant Virtual Sessions

If you want to offer virtual therapy services in your private practice, having a reliable and secure video conferencing platform for teletherapy is essential. Google Meet has quickly become one of the most accessible and cost-effective tools for teletherapy, particularly for therapists who want to offer this service in a HIPAA compliant way without breaking the bank. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of using Google Meet for teletherapy sessions, highlighting its key features, privacy settings and best practices.

If you are already using Google Workspace in your therapy practice for your EHR, the awesome news is that Google Meet is included with your Workspace plan so there is no additional cost for you. Yet another reason why using Google Workspace for EHR is a great option for private practice therapists! In this post we will also compare Zoom and Google Meet, highlighting the key differences and focusing on their features, pricing and security. By the end, you’ll understand why Google Meet is the best option for therapists.

Is Google Meet HIPAA Compliant

Yes, Google Meet is HIPAA compliant. And yes, Google Meet is a free service for anyone with a Google account. But if you are using the platform as a therapist providing professional services to your clients, you need to use a HIPAA compliant platform. Google Meet can be made HIPAA-compliant if used under a Google Workspace plan that offers a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), such as the Business Starter plan and above. You will also need to enable appropriate security settings which I will detail in this post.

Google Meet offers robust encryption and host control features, however therapists should still ensure that their teletherapy setup complies with HIPAA standards, including using a secure internet connection and informing clients of privacy measures.

Getting Started with Google Meet

1. Logging Into Google Meet

To begin using Google Meet for teletherapy, you’ll first need to log in to your Google account, either on your desktop computer or through the Google Meet app. The easiest way to access Google Meet is by visiting meet.google.com. Once logged in, you’ll see the homepage, where you can start a new meeting or join an existing one by entering a meeting code or link.

2. Starting a Meeting

There are multiple ways to start a meeting, depending on how you like to schedule your sessions:

Instant Meeting: If you need to meet with a client immediately, click on “Start an Instant Meeting.” This will generate a meeting link that you can share with your client via email or text.
Create a Meeting for Later: If you want to generate a meeting link to share ahead of time, choose this option. It allows you to prepare for future sessions, which can be especially useful for setting up recurring client meetings.
Schedule in Google Calendar: You can also set up a session in your appointments calendar, creating a meeting directly through Google Calendar. This option allows you to set the meeting date and time, send calendar invites to clients and embed a Google Meet link directly in the calendar event. I think this option is most useful for therapists as you can make a recurring weekly meeting if you have a set schedule with that client. You can then create one meeting link that can be used for each recurring session. Easy!

On-Screen Features During a Session

1. Microphone & Camera Controls

Once in a session, you’ll see options to turn your microphone and camera on or off. The microphone icon will show moving bars when it detects sound, so you can easily check if it’s working properly. These controls are essential for maintaining confidentiality, as you can mute your mic when needed.

2. Enabling Captions

Google Meet allows you to enable captions, which automatically transcribes what’s being said in the meeting. This feature can be useful for clients who are hearing impaired or prefer visual aids for communication.

3. Reactions and Emojis

For a more interactive experience, Google Meet offers reactions like emojis, which can be helpful during group therapy sessions to gauge responses without interrupting the flow of conversation.

4. Present Mode & Screen Sharing

The Present Mode feature allows you to share your screen with your client. You can choose between sharing a specific Chrome tab, a window, or your entire screen. When sharing a tab, you have the option to enable audio, which is useful if you’re playing a video during the session. Be sure to click “Stop Sharing” once you’re done presenting.

5. Raise Hand Option

If you are conducting group therapy sessions, the “Raise Hand” feature allows participants to signal when they want to speak without interrupting. The person’s name will pop up when they raise their hand, making it easy for you to moderate the session.

More Options for Customizing Your Session

Clicking the three vertical dots in the bottom-right corner of your screen opens additional features that enable you to customize your teletherapy session:

Whiteboard: This is a great feature for therapists who use visual aids during sessions. You can use the whiteboard to explain concepts, draw diagrams or brainstorm with your clients.
Change Layout: You can adjust the layout of your meeting screen to spotlight a particular participant or go full screen for better viewing.
Visual Effects: Use filters, backgrounds, or appearance effects to create a comfortable and professional virtual environment. This can be particularly helpful for therapists who may not want to share their physical surroundings with clients.

Host Controls and Security Features

1. Host Management & Controls

This is an important section where you should set up a few extra security measures. As the host of a Google Meet session, you have control over the meeting settings. You have the option to require that the host (you) joins the meeting before anyone else can, ensuring no unauthorized access before your session starts. You can also mute participants, manage who can join the meeting and adjust access privileges. Take the time prior to sessions to adjust these settings accordingly.

2. Meeting Details & Sharing

The bottom right corner of the screen includes the meeting details section, where you can easily copy the meeting link to share via email or text. This is particularly helpful when sending last-minute links to clients.

3. End or Leave the Call

When your session is complete, simply click the red phone button to leave or end the call. If you need to end the meeting for everyone, make sure you are the last to leave, or manually remove participants.

Google Meet Pricing Plans and Features for Therapists

Different Google Workspace plans offer additional features that may be useful for therapists, particularly when it comes to participant capacity and screen recording capabilities.

Google Workspace Business Starter Plan: This plan allows you to host up to 100 participants but does not offer the screen recording feature, which may be a drawback for those who need to save session recordings for compliance or training purposes.
Google Workspace Business Standard Plan: With this plan, you can host up to 150 participants and access screen recording, which is helpful for client documentation and supervision purposes.

How to Create a Recurring Meeting Link for Clients

A common question for therapists using Google Meet is whether you need to create a new meeting link for each session. Thankfully, Google Calendar offers a solution for recurring appointments. Follow these steps to create a recurring Google Meet link:

Open Google Calendar and click Create Event.
Add a title for your client’s recurring therapy session.
Select the desired date, time, and recurrence settings (e.g., weekly sessions with no end date).
Click Add Video Conferencing and select Google Meet.
Save the event and copy the Google Meet link to share with your client. This link will remain the same for every session.

Google Meet vs. Zoom for Teletherapy: Why Google Meet is the Better Choice for Therapists

When it comes to teletherapy, both Zoom and Google Meet are popular options, but Google Meet stands out in several key areas. Below is a comparison of the two platforms, specifically highlighting Google Meet’s advantages and why it is an excellent choice for therapists looking to provide secure and efficient virtual sessions.

1. HIPAA Compliance and Security

Both platforms offer HIPAA-compliant versions, which is crucial for telehealth and therapy practices. However, there are notable differences when it comes to the cost and ease of use of their HIPAA-compliant plans.

Google Meet:
As part of Google Workspace, Google Meet is already HIPAA-compliant with no extra costs or plans required. Therapists using Google Workspace can rest assured that Meet, along with Gmail, Google Drive, and other tools, meet HIPAA standards without any additional steps.
Pro: It’s included in Google Workspace plans (Business Starter, Standard, or Plus), meaning no extra cost for HIPAA compliance.
Zoom:
To use Zoom for teletherapy with HIPAA compliance, you must subscribe to the Zoom Business or Zoom Enterprise plan, and then sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Zoom. The cost for Zoom’s HIPAA-compliant version starts at $159.90 per year per user or 15.99 monthly for the Business plan, which can be quite expensive for solo practitioners or small practices.
Con: Zoom’s HIPAA-compliant version is an additional cost, which may be a barrier for some therapists.

2. Integration with Other Tools

A major advantage of Google Meet is its seamless integration with the Google Workspace ecosystem. This includes tools like Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Forms, which therapists commonly use for scheduling, document sharing, and intake forms.

Google Meet:
- Instant calendar invites: Scheduling a session is simple, as Google Meet links are automatically generated in Google Calendar.
- Document sharing: Google Drive makes it easy to share and store session notes or worksheets during or after a meeting.
- Real-time collaboration: Google Docs/Sheets can be edited collaboratively, meaning therapists can work with clients during sessions (e.g., editing documents live).
Zoom:
Zoom offers basic integrations with Google Calendar for scheduling, but it doesn’t offer the same level of collaboration as Google Workspace tools. Additionally, storing session-related documents or intake forms would require a separate solution, like Google Drive or Dropbox, for more streamlined storage and access.

3. Ease of Use and Accessibility

Google Meet’s simplicity makes it an ideal platform for therapists who want a user-friendly experience for both themselves and their clients.

Google Meet:
- It’s integrated into Google Calendar, so clients can simply click on the link to join without needing to install any software. It’s also easily accessible via any web browser, meaning no downloads are necessary for clients.
- No need to create complicated meeting IDs—just a link is sufficient, reducing the potential for confusion during sessions.
Zoom:
While Zoom also allows clients to join via a link, the process requires creating unique meeting IDs for each session, and sometimes clients need to download the app (if they’re joining from a mobile device). This extra step can create friction for clients who aren’t familiar with the platform.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

For solo practitioners or small practices, the cost of telehealth software is an important consideration. Google Meet offers a highly cost-effective solution.

Google Meet:
- No extra cost for HIPAA compliance if you’re already using Google Workspace for your practice.
- The Google Workspace Business Starter plan costs $7 per user/month when paid annually, which includes Google Meet, along with all the other productivity tools like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive.
Zoom:
- Zoom’s HIPAA-compliant version requires a Business or Enterprise plan ($159.90 per year per user) plus the cost of any add-ons. For solo practitioners or smaller practices, the cost can quickly add up.

5. Support and Customer Service

Both platforms offer support, but Google Meet’s support is integrated within Google’s extensive help resources.

Google Meet:
- Since it’s part of Google Workspace, therapists can access Google’s 24/7 support if they have issues. There’s also a large online community and a comprehensive help center for troubleshooting and FAQs.
Zoom:
- Zoom also offers support, but the priority support feature is limited to Enterprise plans, so solo practitioners or smaller practices may need to rely more on online resources or standard support options.

While both Zoom and Google Meet can serve therapists, Google Meet is often the better option due to its ease of use, seamless integration with Google Workspace tools and no additional cost for HIPAA compliance. For therapists who are already using Google Workspace for their practice management, Google Meet provides a secure, cost-effective solution without the need for an expensive separate plan.

Google Meet – A Cost-Effective, Versatile Teletherapy Tool

Using Google Meet for teletherapy is an affordable, easy-to-use solution that offers therapists the flexibility to meet clients virtually without compromising on quality or security. Whether you’re conducting individual or group sessions, the platform’s wide range of features—from screen sharing and whiteboarding to host controls and participant management—ensures a professional and seamless therapy experience.

Starting a private practice comes with many challenges, but finding the right teletherapy platform shouldn’t be one of them. With Google Meet, you have a reliable and affordable tool to help you build meaningful connections with your clients, whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your practice to the next level.