We’ve learned from many health and wellbeing experts that when conducting video sessions, people often have to use consumer or business video software like Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, or Whatsapp.
However, a therapy session is different from a casual chat with a friend. It needs to ensure safety, confidentiality, and ease of use for both the therapist and the client, without putting an extra financial burden on the therapist.
To help practitioners, we looked into the most commonly used software with these needs in mind. Our goal is to make sure every practitioner understands the pros and cons of each solution, to be able to make an informed decision.
Zoom
Zoom had it’s rise to fame during the pandemic and for a good reason: it is easy to use and professional. However, Zoom has come under question for its use of user data and treatment of privacy issues.
Safety
On the plus side, Zoom communications are encrypted end-to-end. Zoom itself cannot listen in on your meetings.
On the other hand, Zoom uses AI and, unless all participants take steps to prevent it, the content of their communications could serve to train Zoom’s AI. Here is an overview of the steps to take. They can and do update their privacy policy frequently, which is something to be aware of and watch out for.
User experience
There is a time limit on the free version: calls are limited to 40 minutes which is too short for most therapy sessions. Your clients will be encouraged to create an account and download the software to access all of the features.
Price
Prices start at £12.99 monthly.
Google Meet
Google Meet is very intuitive: anyone with a Google (gmail) email address can set-up a video call in their agenda. It may be tempting to keep reusing the same call link, but if you do this, you risk seeing other patients inadvertently bombing your call…
Safety
Communications are encrypted in transit and later stored at Google’s data centers.
User experience
Neither you nor the client needs to download a software. You will only need to click on a link to join the session.
Price
Google Meet is free, up to hundred participants in a sixty-minute meeting. Yet in practice, some users noticed that, after several sessions, their camera does not start unless they convert to paid.
Teams
Teams has a professional feel that could reassure patients or clients. The user experience is confusing at times.
Safety
By default, Teams communications are encrypted in transit only. Before a call, you and your client should enable end-to-end encryption by clicking your profile picture in the upper left corner of the screen and then toggling on encryption in the settings.
User experience
Unless participants have teams installed on their laptops, they have to choose between access via browser (navigator) or download upon starting the call. This may create unnecessary confusion.
Price
Teams is available in a free version but calls are then limited to 60 minutes.
Virtually everyone knows about WhatsApp. This is both positive and negative, as you will read.
Safety
WhatsApp communications are encrypted end-to-end. They have however, come under fire for their use of data and this year received a fine for just under $6m for failing to comply with GDPR
User experience
Most people use WhatsApp. Chances are that your clients or patients are familiar with it.
The main issue here is that you risk mixing private and professional spheres. Your clients also mix their therapy and their private life. Tracking micro-expressions can be challenging from a phone screen, so check if your clients can join from desktop.
Price
There is no need to opt for WhatsApp for Business unless you need e.g. massive-scale advertising.
Isosconnect
As you can see, each of these solutions implies trade-offs in terms of users’ safety or ease of use. This is why we developed Isosconnect: a solution built for UK health and well-being professionals. From Isosconnect, you can streamline all of your emails, (video) sessions, notes, and invoicing to provide the best quality service to your clients.
Here is how the video compares to other software.
Safety
Isosconnect matches the highest security standards, with full encryption.
User experience
The client receives a call link in the appointment confirmation. They join in one click, and are not compelled to download any software.
Price
Isosconnect is available in a free version. If you want access to e.g. unlimited video sessions, you may want to opt for the paid version starting at £15.99 per month.
