Secure Messaging For Practitioners

Secure messaging in Sessions Health lets you communicate with clients and other practitioners through encrypted, HIPAA‑compliant messages. You can send text, share attachments, and set automatic out‑of‑office replies, all within the platform.

ℹ️ HIPAA reminder: Share protected health information only through secure, encrypted messaging, not standard email.

In this article:

Enabling Secure Messaging
Sending a Secure Message
Managing Secure Conversations
Setting an Out-of-Office Auto Reply
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles

Enabling Secure Messaging

Secure Messaging must be enabled before use.

Go to Account Settings > Portal.
Scroll to Features.
Turn on Secure Messaging.

Sending a Secure Message

Click Messages in the top navigation bar.
Click the new message icon, or open an existing conversation from the left panel.
Search for a client or practitioner, then select their name.
Type your message. Optionally include emojis within the message or click the paperclip icon to attach a file.
Send the message using the arrow button or Shift + Return.

Your conversation will appear in the left panel and update when replies come in. When you receive a new message, a red badge appears on the Messages button in the top navigation.

Managing Secure Conversations

All conversations appear in the left Messages panel. Select any thread to read or reply.

Use the search bar at the top of the panel to quickly find conversations by name or keyword.

Setting an Out-of-Office Auto Reply

When active, clients who send a new message will automatically receive your out-of-office reply.

ℹ️ Only Administrators can set out-of-office replies for other team members.

To set an out-of-office reply:

Click the gear icon in the Messages left panel.
Select the member(s) you want to configure.
Enter your auto-reply Message.
Set the Date & Time Range.
Click Configure Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a message after it has been sent?

Yes. Click the three‑dot menu next to the message and confirm deletion. Only the sender can delete their own message.

Can anyone else view my inbox?

No. Secure messages are private between you and the recipient.

How can I remain HIPAA compliant when communicating with clients electronically?

Use secure messaging for all client communication containing protected health information. Avoid sending PHI through regular email or other unsecured tools.

For more information, see these articles:

You can also check out our video on Secure Messaging here:

Secure Messaging