# Can therapists use WhatsApp or Zoom for teletherapy?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-therapists-use-whatsapp-or-zoom-for-teletherapy
For: Clinicians | Digital health and technology | Last reviewed 23 July 2026

**Answer:** Therapists can use general video or messaging apps in some settings, but those apps only handle the call. You still need separate, reliable processes for consent, privacy, notes, payment and follow-up, and you must check where the app hosts data, who can access recordings and whether it supports your duties under Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019. Dedicated teletherapy tools usually link sessions to consent, notes and billing, which reduces manual work and gaps in the record.

### In more detail

The video call is the easy part. What matters is what happens before and after it, and whether your records show what actually happened. Ask any vendor:

- Where is data hosted, what safeguards cover any cross-border transfer, and who can access recordings?
- Will you sign a data processing agreement with breach-notice timelines, support commitments and data export on exit?
- Does it work on patients' typical phones and mobile data, with predictable pricing in KES?

Red flags include recording switched on by default with no retention rule, and a demo that only works on fast office Wi-Fi.

Read the full guide: [Teletherapy Software: What Mental Health Providers Should Look For](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/blog/teletherapy-software-what-mental-health-providers-should-look-for)

> **Important:** This Knowledge Hub article is operational education. It does not diagnose, treat, replace professional care, or provide legal advice. Local clinical, privacy, and compliance review should guide live clinic use.

> **Important:** If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, contact emergency services now. In Kenya, call 999, 112 or 911. Outside Kenya, use the emergency number for your location.

## Related questions

- [Can I offer online therapy to clients in another county or another country?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-i-offer-online-therapy-to-clients-in-another-county-or-another-country)
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**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

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