Google Workspace for Therapists: HIPAA Compliant Gmail, Drive, and More

Is Google Workspace for Therapists and those in private practice? Absolutely! Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite) is Google’s suite of services: Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Forms, Docs/Sheets, and more. Please note we’re talking about the paid version of Google’s suite of services. Not the free @gmail.com versions.

If you Google ‘Google Workspace for Therapists’, you’ll see a lot of results. There’s a reason for that – Google Workspace is an excellent cost-effective tool for therapists! But you’ll also see a lot of misinformation out there. In this article, we’ll dispel the myths, help you understand HOW to make Google Workspace HIPAA compliant, and the easiest way to do it!

What’s so great about Google Workspace?

First of all, many of us have experience using Google’s free tools, like @gmail.com email address, Google Drive, Google Meet for video calls, Docs/Sheets instead of using Microsoft’s paid tools, etc. Tools that are familiar and easy-to-use are always a plus!

Another benefit – you get a professional email address. 

Sorry, [email protected] or [email protected] are not professional email addresses. But what about [email protected]? Definitely professional!

Paid Google Workspace subscriptions can be HIPAA compliant – the free versions can’t be. So that’s another plus for Google Workspace.

Free Google Services

• Free
• Easy to use
• NO professional email
• NO HIPAA BAA

Google Workspace

• Not free
• Easy to use
• YES professional email
• YES HIPAA BAA

Google Workspace for Therapists: What’s Included?

Here’s what’s included in a Google Workspace subscription (which starts at $6/user for their Starter plan):

• Gmail with professional email address
• Google Drive for backups and cloud storage
• Google Docs and Sheets for documentation
• Google Forms for client intake
• Google Calendar for scheduling
• Google Meet for video conferencing and telehealth
• Google Slides for presentations 
• Mobile Device Management (so you can effectively wipe PHI from devices in case they are lost or stolen)

Google Workspace: Is it HIPAA compliant? 

When you first purchase a Google Workspace subscription, it is NOT HIPAA compliant. 

That’s right - it’s NOT HIPAA compliant right out of the box!

You need to MAKE it HIPAA compliant. 

The first step is signing the BAA. Other articles about Google Workspace for Therapists may tell you that's all you need to do. That's simply not true!

The next step is properly configuring the settings.

You have a few choices:

1. Hire an IT firm to configure it for you – this can cost around $100+/hour of their time
2. Decide that signing the BAA is ‘good enough’ and hope that you never have a HIPAA breach on your hands***
3. Get the Complete HIPAA Playbook for Google Workspace (keep reading!)

***The consequences for not being compliant could be significant. From malicious hackers trying to steal sensitive data, to hefty regulatory fines, a serious breach can have a lasting impact on your business, and especially your reputation.

HIPAA Compliant Google Workspace for Therapists: Here’s how!!

We hear from small healthcare businesses and private practice owners all the time. 

They want an inexpensive way of making Google Workspace HIPAA compliant.

They don’t want to pay hundreds each month for an IT or cybersecurity firm to handle Google Workspace for them. 

They’re on a tight budget but want to protect PHI and their business. 

That’s why we’ve put everything we know about Google Workspace HIPAA compliance into 1 easy-to-read, step-by-step Playbook. 

>> Buy Now <<

Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll get:

• 136 incredibly easy-to-read and engaging pages that detail the most efficient way you (or your designated compliance officer) can ELIMINATE compliance fears, FAST!
• INSTANT delivery via PDF so you can get your staff and equipment where they need to be, without the added vendor costs!
• A BONUS section that reveals the biggest HIPAA landmines, and what you MUST DO to avoid them.
• Crystal clear explanation of the entire process, from A to Z, complete with screenshots and  potent examples
• A PDF absolutely packed with colorful explanations and anecdotes that highlight the “WHY’s” of what you’re doing, every step of the way
• An “easy-to-read”, conversational tone that makes comprehension and implementation a breeze
• Detailed Q&A provides answers to ALL your most common questions.

We’ve made HIPAA compliance affordable for smaller businesses.

That’s why we’re releasing our entire process -- so you can save time and money.

By the way, this isn't some flimsy 40-page e-book that tells fear-laced stories of that one health care company that had to pay $5.5 million in HIPAA fines. 

Over the past decade, we’ve discovered most clients are far more motivated to do the right thing by their patients.

You can go at your own pace, but using our Playbook will ensure you GET IT DONE!

>> Buy Now <<

About Adelia Risk

We’re a Virtual CISO company focused on strengthening cybersecurity programs for small and midsize businesses. 

HIPAA can be confusing, and Google Workspace was not made with HIPAA in mind. That’s why we created the HIPAA Playbook – so you know exactly what to consider and what to change in order to protect PHI. 

Get the Playbook, get HIPAA compliant, and get back to taking worry-free care of your patients!