bacpac Alternative for UK Counsellors
Therasee is a modern UK platform for counsellors and psychotherapists, with built-in video, online payments, and a branded portal.
bacpac holds a special place in the UK therapy community. Developed in collaboration with BACP and maintained by Mayden, a company with over two decades of experience in healthcare software, including iaptus which serves 60%+ of NHS talking therapy services, bacpac was one of the first platforms designed specifically for counsellors and psychotherapists.
But the therapy landscape has changed since bacpac was first developed, and bacpac hasn’t kept pace. Practitioners now need secure video sessions, client self-service portals with mobile apps, automated billing with online payments, speech-to-text notes, and AI-assisted form builders, none of which bacpac offers. Therasee was built to meet these modern needs while carrying forward the same commitment to the mental health profession that bacpac pioneered.
How they compare
A side-by-side look at what Therasee and bacpac offer.
| Feature | Therasee | bacpac |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Mental health practitioners | Counsellors and psychotherapists |
| UK based | Yes, based in the UK with UK data centres | Yes, based in the UK |
| Video sessions | Built-in secure HD video, unlimited, E2E encrypted. Or use Zoom, Meet, or Teams | Not available |
| Post-session note prompts | Yes, prompted after every video call | Not available (no video) |
| Client portal | Full branded portal + mobile app: booking, forms, payments, messaging, documents | Not available |
| Online booking | Guided self-booking flow with service selection, automated confirmations | Website enquiry form integration |
| Billing & payments | One-click invoices, Stripe payments, automated reminders, customisable branding | Not a core feature |
| Clinical notes | Session-linked, speech-to-text, rich text editor, organised per client | Client notes and session recording (text) |
| Forms & e-signatures | Drag-and-drop form builder with AI assistant, e-signatures, auto-reminders | Not available |
| Secure messaging | Full messaging: templates, forms in chat, file sharing, speech-to-text, push notifications | Not available |
| Scheduling | Full calendar with recurring appointments, buffer time, multiple locations | Built-in calendar |
| Automated reminders | SMS and email reminders for appointments and payments; reduces no-shows by up to 90% | Appointment reminders only |
| BACP heritage | Independent platform | Developed in collaboration with BACP |
| Free plan | Yes, £0 forever with 3 clients and full features (built-in video, notes, portal, payments) | Free trial, then paid subscription |
Where Therasee stands out
A complete, modern platform
bacpac is a focused client records and scheduling tool. It was built for an earlier era of practice management and its scope and interface haven’t materially evolved since. Therasee is a modern, all-in-one practice management platform built for how UK therapists work today, delivering everything bacpac does plus secure video sessions (with BYOP flexibility), a branded client portal that installs as a mobile app, automated billing with Stripe, and encrypted messaging with templates and file sharing, all in one consistent, modern interface.
Video sessions and post-session workflow
In 2026, the ability to see clients online is essential. Therasee includes secure, E2E encrypted video at no extra cost, with a branded waiting room and one-click join. When the session ends, you’re prompted to add notes that link automatically to the appointment. bacpac doesn’t offer video.
AI form builder with validated assessments
Therasee includes a drag-and-drop form builder with an AI assistant that builds forms from plain English, e-signatures, 50+ validated assessments built in (PHQ-9, GAD-7, CORE-OM, PCL-5), and PDF-to-form conversion that turns existing paper forms into editable digital documents. Create intake forms, consent forms, and outcome measures that clients complete on any device. bacpac doesn’t currently offer a form builder.
Automated billing and payments
Generate invoices in one click from any completed session, accept online payments via Stripe, and send automated payment reminders. Customise your currency, tax rates, payment terms, and invoice branding. bacpac focuses on records and scheduling, so billing requires separate tools.
Client self-service
Therasee’s portal carries your branding, installs as a mobile app, and lets clients book appointments, complete forms with e-signatures, pay invoices, and message you securely. It reduces your admin substantially while giving clients a professional, private experience.
Messaging between sessions
Send forms directly in conversation, use reusable templates for welcome messages and session reminders, share worksheets and resources, and dictate messages with speech-to-text. Clients reply from their portal and get push notifications so they never miss an important message.
Support from people who know your practice
When you reach out to Therasee, you speak to someone who understands your workflow as a therapist. No ticket queues, no chatbots, no waiting days for a reply. bacpac is maintained by Mayden, a larger healthcare software company. Therasee’s support is personal, direct, and built specifically around how therapists work.
Where bacpac stands out
BACP heritage
bacpac was developed in collaboration with BACP, giving it institutional recognition in the UK counselling community.
Mayden’s healthcare expertise
bacpac is maintained by Mayden, with over two decades of experience in healthcare software. Their iaptus platform serves 60%+ of NHS talking therapy services, that depth of healthcare software experience is genuinely significant.
Organisational features
bacpac has features designed for counselling services and organisations managing multiple locations and team members, with outcome tracking tools that can be valuable for charitable and NHS-adjacent services.
Focused simplicity
If you primarily need a secure, trusted place to store client records and manage your calendar, without the complexity of a full all-in-one platform, bacpac’s focused approach may suit you.
Pricing at a glance
Transparent pricing so you can make an informed decision.
Therasee
£0
forever, 3 clients, full features
£19/user/month
everything included
bacpac
Free trial
then paid subscription
Paid subscription
contact for pricing
Who is each tool best for?
Choose Therasee if…
You want a modern, all-in-one platform that handles video, billing, client portals, AI form builder with e-signatures, and messaging alongside client records and scheduling. You’re looking for a platform that will grow with your practice as the profession continues to digitise.
Choose bacpac if…
You only need a basic client records system and a calendar, you’re comfortable with a long-standing platform that has not been significantly modernised in some years, and you’re happy managing video, billing, and online payments through separate tools.
Frequently asked questions about bacpac and Therasee
Is bacpac endorsed by BACP?
bacpac was developed in collaboration with BACP, which gives it institutional recognition in the UK counselling community. It is maintained by Mayden, the healthcare software company behind iaptus, which serves the majority of NHS talking therapy services. bacpac itself is a long-standing platform that has not been significantly modernised in recent years.
Does bacpac have video sessions?
No. bacpac does not offer built-in video. Practitioners need a separate platform like Zoom for video sessions, with no integration between the video call and the client record. Therasee includes secure, unlimited, end-to-end encrypted HD video, with a post-session prompt that links notes automatically to the appointment.
Does bacpac have a client portal?
No. bacpac is primarily a client records and scheduling tool, without a unified client-facing portal. Therasee includes a full branded client portal where clients book appointments, complete and sign forms, pay invoices, message you, and access shared documents, installed as a mobile app via PWA.
Does bacpac have automated billing?
Billing is not a core feature of bacpac. Practitioners typically use separate tools for invoices and online payments. Therasee includes one-click invoicing from any session with customisable branding, Stripe as the online payment rail, automated reminders, and revenue reporting, all built into the platform.
Does bacpac have a free plan?
bacpac offers a free trial, then requires a paid subscription. Specific pricing is provided on enquiry. Therasee has a permanent free plan (£0 forever) with 3 clients and full features, and a transparent £19 per user per month Premium plan with no add-ons.
Should I choose bacpac or Therasee?
Choose bacpac if you only need a basic client records system and a calendar, you’re comfortable with a long-standing platform that has not been significantly modernised in recent years, and you’re happy managing video, billing, and online payments through separate tools. Choose Therasee if you want a modern, all-in-one platform that handles video, billing, the client portal, AI form builder, and messaging alongside records and scheduling.
Compare other UK therapy software
Still weighing up your options? See how Therasee stacks up against the other platforms UK therapists most often shortlist.
- WriteUpp AlternativeTwo UK platforms, one key difference: built for therapists vs built for all allied health.
- Cliniko AlternativeSpecialist vs generalist. Built for mental health, not adapted for it.
- Zanda Health AlternativePurpose-built for therapists vs broad allied health. A UK-native alternative.
- Kiku AlternativeTwo UK therapist platforms: all-in-one vs focused essentials.
- Konfidens AlternativeTwo therapy-first platforms: complete all-in-one vs growing toolkit.
- SimplePractice AlternativeA US-centric platform meets a UK-native one. GDPR, GBP, and workflows built for UK counselling.
- Jane App AlternativeA North American multi-vertical platform meets a UK-native, therapy-only one. Free plan, flat pricing, UK-built.
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