SonderMind Employee Review 2024: Is It Worth It For Therapists?

SonderMind Employee Review – Key Takeaways

• SonderMind is a great all-in-one insurance billing platform for generating client leads, and managing day-to-day administration and billing in one place. It handles all in-network, out-of-network, and cash-pay billing and also includes a telehealth platform.
• SonderMind practitioners sign on as independent contractors. SonderMind sends reimbursement payouts every two weeks but has an option for same-day payment.
• SonderMind has a relatively small service area of only 15 US states.
• Allowing SonderMind to handle credentialing means you’ll likely get better reimbursement rates, and faster than you could on your own.

What Is SonderMind for Therapists?

SonderMind is a comprehensive billing and directory platform for therapists and psychologists. Features of SonderMind include insurance credentialing, premium in-network reimbursement rates, and a built-in provider directory. SonderMind has no costs to join as a provider.

Below, we will explore some of SonderMind’s primary offerings and how they might help your practice.

Hands-Off Insurance Credentialing

One of the main benefits of SonderMind is its hands-off insurance credentialing service. SonderMind works with many insurance payors to negotiate favorable terms for insurance billing and can likely get you credentialed much faster, and with higher reimbursement rates, than you’d be able to on your own.

SonderMind is in-network with many of the top insurance payors, including:

• United Healthcare
• Aetna
• Cigna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Medicare and Medicaid
• Additional regional payors

However, the particular payors and plans you’ll be in-network with vary depending on your location. SonderMind states that it takes up to four months to get fully credentialed with your designated insurance payors. As with any such service, you’ll only be credentialed with these payors while working with SonderMind as a contractor, and you won’t be able to bill through them independently.

Fully-Managed In-Network & Out-of-Network Billing

Through SonderMind, you’ll be able to manage both in-network and out-of-network client billing. Upon your acceptance into the platform, you’ll be able to start seeing clients that are billing out-of-network or cash-pay. Then, after you’ve been credentialed with insurance payors (1-4 months), SonderMind will handle all of your in-network billing.

By default, providers on SonderMind’s platform are paid every two weeks for sessions they’ve completed. SonderMind also offers the option for providers to be paid immediately for sessions they submit; however, this will incur a charge of 2% of the total payout.¹

Full EHR Suite

Unlike some other in-network billing platforms, SonderMind includes a full EHR with its system to ensure you have all the tools you need in one place. Robust clinical documentation features, a well-designed calendar and scheduling system, and a built-in telehealth platform help minimize the need for external software.

SonderMind has several clinical outcome measures available, including inventories for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and daily function. The client can complete these outcome measures directly in the client portal, and outcomes are automatically recorded in treatment notes. Altogether, the system is designed well and would likely be sufficient without the need for external software. During our interview, SonderMind representatives stated that the company plans to improve its EHR suite with more customizable forms and support for more clinical outcome measures, among other improvements.¹ 

SonderMind is one of the only platforms of its kind to include a relatively advanced EHR system. It’s a great system and has a lot in common with some of the best mental health EHRs available today.

Gain New Clients with SonderMind’s Built-In Provider Directory

SonderMind operates a built-in provider directory that automatically interfaces with all of its other systems. Clients are able to find a therapist that appeals to them and book with them directly using the availability provided by providers.

SonderMind has custom algorithms that help guide clients toward their ideal therapist match by taking into account both client preferences and the skills and expertise reported by practitioners. When we demoed SonderMind, we were impressed by the overall design and implementation of the platform.

Since it is only available in 15 states, SonderMind’s directory may not be adequate for your marketing needs. If you need another directory to use, our list of the best therapist directories is a great place to start.

Grow Your Skills with SonderMind’s Educational Resources

When you join the SonderMind network, you’re given access to the company’s SonderMind University content which includes clinical case studies, live and online events, and continuing education courses (CEUs). As well, practitioners can access virtual courses for improving their private practice and a community of other practitioners for sharing ideas and referrals.

How Much Does SonderMind for Therapists Cost to Join?

SonderMind is completely free for practitioners to join. Rather than taking fees from clients or practitioners, SonderMind has contracts with the insurance payors and earns commissions through them. This model is common among services such as SonderMind and allows therapists to get started with minimal barriers.

How Much Does SonderMind Pay Therapists?

SonderMind pays its therapists by reimbursing them for each service provided, either at the cash pay rate, for private pay clients, or at a pre-negotiated insurance reimbursement rate. Specifically, you will be an independent contractor for SonderMind, which will reimburse you for the services provided. By default, you are paid every two weeks, but for a 2% fee, you can be paid the same day as your session.¹

SonderMind Reimbursement Rates

A discussion on reimbursements with this type of platform is intrinsically difficult as reimbursement rates may vary tremendously depending on several variables. For instance, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Atlanta billing Cigna may have an entirely different rate than a Psychologist out of California billing United Healthcare.

On top of all of this, the negotiations going on between companies like SonderMind and its insurance partners will constantly be changing, so it’s impossible to say what a given reimbursement rate will be in the long haul.

Since SonderMind has major contracts with top insurers, it can offer enhanced reimbursement rates that will usually be higher than what you would be able to negotiate with a payor on your own. Plus, credentialing is far faster than if you were to negotiate with payors independently.

To determine your exact terms and rates, you’ll need to contact SonderMind directly.

Why Would I Want to Work with SonderMind?

Working with SonderMind is a unique experience that allows the autonomy of a private practice while offering a degree of support that helps you get your practice off the ground.

Here are a few reasons why you might want to work with SonderMind:

• Become credentialed with insurers without having to manage the process, and significantly faster than you could on your own, while also receiving enhanced reimbursement rates.
• Accept insurance without having to manage benefits checks for clients or insurance billing
• Great EHR features mean you likely won’t need external software or subscriptions
• Find a reliable source of client referrals through a dedicated insurance-based system
• Ensure consistent revenue with reliable insurance reimbursement

What States Is SonderMind Available In?

At the time of writing, SonderMind is currently available in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

SonderMind also provides psychiatric services in Colorado and Ohio.

Who Is SonderMind Right For?

SonderMind is a great choice for those who want an insurance and directory platform with a robust EHR platform included, those looking to get started billing in-network care, and therapists looking to cut back on administrative burden overall.

Those Who Want an All-In-One Billing and EHR Solution

SonderMind fills a unique space as being one of the only in-network billing platforms of its kind that also offers a robust EHR built-in. If you’re looking for a way to find new clients, handle sessions, bill in-network, and get paid all in one place, SonderMind is one of the only places that is possible.

Those Looking to Make the Jump to In-Network Care

SonderMind, alone or in concert with other platforms of its kind, is a great choice for those who are looking to make the jump into providing in-network services. Since credentialing and even day-to-day billing are completely managed for you, it’s a fantastic way to get started with in-network billing with minimal headaches.

Therapists That Want to Avoid Extra Administrative Work

One of the reasons SonderMind, and platforms like it, are so useful is they enable therapists to spend more time providing client care and less time with billing and administrative stress. For therapists who are feeling overwhelmed with clerical work, SonderMind might be a great choice.

Who May Want an Alternative to Working with SonderMind?

SonderMind has a lot to offer, however, practices that aren’t fully licensed, or are not licensed in one of SonderMind’s covered states will want to look for alternatives to working for SonderMind.

Practitioners Not Licensed in One of SonderMind’s Covered States

SonderMind has a relatively small geographic area, at only around 15 states. If you aren’t licensed in one of those states, then you’ll need to look elsewhere. Grow Therapy has a much larger footprint at 46 states covered, and is very similar to SonderMind overall.

Read more in our full review of Grow Therapy.

Practitioners with Partial or No Licensure

SonderMind, as well as any other in-network billing platform like it, requires its practitioners to be fully and independently licensed in the state they practice in. If you’re looking for marketing solutions for non-licensed professionals, Psychology Today has a few options.

Read our review of Psychology Today for more details.

SonderMind Vs. Headway

Overall, SonderMind and Headway seek to do the same essential thing – link providers, insurance payors, and clients more effectively. Both platforms are free to join and have no ongoing costs for practitioners.

However, SonderMind has a much more robust set of features for client documentation, scheduling, and clinical outcomes measurement, and it also has an integrated telehealth platform included at no cost. Headway has a slightly larger geographic footprint, covering about 10 more states than SonderMind does.

To learn more about Headway, visit our full Headway for Therapists review.

SonderMind Vs. Alma

SonderMind and Alma are very similar services, with both offering the same core features in billing and credentialing, as well as basic EHR functionality. Alma costs $125 monthly or $1,140 monthly, whereas SonderMind is free to join. Alma has a far more robust selection of tools such as clinical measures than SonderMind does, plus Alma has Wiley Treatment Planner integration. As well, Alma includes CE courses in the cost of membership and access to a community of other therapists. Reimbursement rates are inherently difficult to compare, as every practitioner’s rates may differ considerably from one another.

To learn more about Alma, visit our full Alma for Therapists review.

How Do I Get Started with Working for SonderMind?

To get started working for SonderMind, simply navigate to SonderMind’s sign-up page and schedule an interview call with SonderMind staff. During that interview, you’ll discuss your background, therapeutic technique, and whether you’re a good fit for the platform. All told, the process to get started with SonderMind can take 1-4 months.

The steps for getting started with SonderMind are:

1. Interview. To begin, you’ll schedule an interview with SonderMind staff to discuss whether you’re a good fit for the platform (1-2 days).
2. Platform Approval. Once you’re accepted to the platform, you’ll be able to start seeing clients for out-of-network or cash-pay billing while you wait for in-network credentialing.
3. Onboard. You’ll work with a coach 1-on-1 to get your profile set up, credential you with payors, and get you ready to start seeing clients (1-4 months).
4. Start Seeing Clients. After you’re set-up with the payors you plan to bill and you’re fully set up on the platform, you’ll be ready to start receiving client referrals.

SonderMind Review – Our Final Verdict

Overall, SonderMind is a solid in-network billing and directory platform. During a demo and interview with the platform, I was impressed with the breadth of features offered and the seamlessness they’re implemented with. While it isn’t available nationwide, SonderMind is certainly worth trying out if you are licensed in one of the states it’s a part of.

You should consider signing up for SonderMind if you:

• Are looking for an in-network billing and directory platform with an integrated EHR
• Are looking to get started billing for in-network services

You should consider looking for an alternative to SonderMind if you:

• Are outside of SonderMind’s service area
• Aren’t fully and independently licensed
• Want to credential with insurance payors independently

History of SonderMind

SonderMind is a privately held company founded in 2014 and based in Denver, Colorado, with around 100-250 employees.² SonderMind states its mission is to improve the mental healthcare system and make it easier for everyday people to access affordable mental healthcare.³

SonderMind in the News

In 2023, competitor Mindstrong shuttered its doors and SonderMind purchased its technology assets and acquired a handful of employees.⁴ In an interview, a SonderMind representative stated that Sondermind plans to improve its search and client-matching features with the technology that was acquired.¹