In the field of marriage counseling and child psychotherapy, data integrity and client confidentiality are essential. The ability to limit or block access to sensitive records in a multi-user office environment is therefore a critical consideration. "As a small counseling business, we look for solutions that enhance our workflow, while maintaining a low overhead and ensuring information security," says Gene House, administrative assistant to Cathy L. House, MA, MFT. "FileMaker Pro has proven to be the perfect fit."

As insurance companies move to electronic billing and away from paper–based Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), maintaining client records is becoming increasingly complex. For example, clients may have Blue Cross medical insurance, but their behavioral health benefits are actually covered by another insurance company. Clients give House their insurance card at the first session, but the actual company that pays the mental health benefits might be another entity altogether.

"For the past year, FileMaker Pro has been the silent office assistant we rely on to maintain session records, client and insurance information, as well as payments–simplifying a process that has become increasingly complex," says House.

The new charting feature in FileMaker Pro 11 gives us one–click access to monthly revenue in a visual format. Looking at a list of numbers is one thing, but using a familiar bar, line or pie chart, we can view payments by week, month or day.

— Cathy L. House, MA, MFT

For House's counseling business, FileMaker Pro 11 is a sound business investment. "Quick Find in FileMaker Pro 11 has made sorting through client information a breeze," he says. "It is so intuitive for us to click in the browser-like search bar and type in queries. We set up the new Quick Find feature in conjunction with a Script Trigger that allows for dynamic finds. The response is instantaneous, which allows us to concentrate on the client, not the application."

Dynamic Charting is another major boon for the company. "The new charting feature in FileMaker Pro 11 gives us one–click access to monthly revenue in a visual format," says House. "Looking at a list of numbers is one thing, but using a familiar bar, line or pie chart, we can view payments by week, month or day. We can do the same visual analysis on appointments. With FileMaker charting, we know which are our busiest weeks of the year, and which are the most profitable. Before FileMaker Pro 11 and charting, this was a challenge. Now, it's just a day–to–day part of running the business smarter."

As House looks to the future, he is confident that FileMaker Pro 11 will be an integral part of the equation. "FileMaker Pro 11 is our ever–ready, silent office assistant, making the job of a busy psychotherapist easier than ever."