Skip to main content

Record A Session

Capture live sessions with automatic transcription and note generation

Recording a session in Serene allows you to capture your therapy sessions in real-time, with automatic transcription and AI-powered note generation. This method is perfect for creating comprehensive documentation without interrupting your workflow.

Prerequisites​

Before you start recording, ensure you have:

  • Microphone access - Required for audio capture
  • Modern browser - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
  • Stable internet connection - For real-time processing
  • Client consent - Always obtain proper consent before recording
Important

Always ensure you have proper consent from your clients before recording sessions. Review your local privacy laws and professional guidelines regarding session recordings.

Starting a Recording​

Step 1: Access the Recording Feature​

  1. Navigate to your Serene Dashboard
  2. Click the "Record Session" button in the main interface
  3. You'll see the recording setup dialog

Step 2: Grant Permissions​

When you click "Next", your browser will prompt for permissions:

  1. Allow microphone access when prompted
  2. Select the correct audio input device if you have multiple microphones
  3. Wait for the green checkmark confirming permissions are granted

Common Permission Issues:

  • Blocked by browser: Check your browser's address bar for a blocked microphone icon
  • Corporate networks: Some networks block media access - try a personal network
  • Privacy settings: Ensure your browser allows microphone access for the site

Step 3: Begin Recording​

  1. Click "Start Recording" to begin
  2. You'll see a red recording indicator showing the session is active
  3. The recording will capture all audio from your selected microphone
  4. Conduct your session normally - the recording runs in the background

During the Recording​

What's Being Captured​

  • Audio content - All spoken conversation
  • Session metadata - Start time, duration, participants
  • Quality indicators - Audio levels and connection status

Recording Interface​

While recording, you'll see:

  • Red recording dot - Confirms active recording
  • Session timer - Shows elapsed time
  • Audio levels - Visual feedback of microphone input
  • Pause/Resume controls - For breaks if needed
Best Practices
  • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace for better transcription accuracy
  • Minimize background noise when possible
  • Keep your microphone at a consistent distance
  • Use headphones to prevent audio feedback

Stopping the Recording​

End the Session​

  1. Click the "Stop Recording" button
  2. Confirm you want to end the recording
  3. The system will begin processing immediately

Automatic Processing​

Once stopped, Serene automatically:

  1. Uploads the audio - Securely transfers to processing servers
  2. Transcribes speech - Converts audio to structured text
  3. Analyzes content - Extracts key themes and insights
  4. Generates notes - Creates SOAP, BIRP, or custom format notes

Processing Timeline​

StageDurationWhat's Happening
Upload30-60 secondsAudio file transfer
Transcription2-5 minutesSpeech-to-text conversion
Analysis3-7 minutesAI content processing
Note Generation1-3 minutesStructured note creation
Processing Time

Total processing time is typically 6-15 minutes depending on session length. You'll receive notifications when each stage completes.

Viewing Your Generated Notes​

Notification System​

You'll be notified when processing completes:

  • Dashboard badge - Shows pending note count
  • Email notification - If enabled in settings
  • Browser notification - Real-time alerts

Accessing Notes​

  1. Go to Dashboard → Notes
  2. Find your session in the "Pending Review" section
  3. Click "Show Note" to view the generated content
  4. Review and edit as needed before approving

Generated Note Formats​

Serene can generate multiple note formats from your recording:

SOAP Notes​

  • Subjective - Client's reported experiences
  • Objective - Observable behaviors and data
  • Assessment - Clinical impressions and diagnoses
  • Plan - Treatment goals and next steps

BIRP Notes​

  • Behavior - Client behaviors and presentations
  • Intervention - Therapeutic techniques used
  • Response - Client's response to interventions
  • Plan - Future treatment planning

Custom Formats​

  • Organization templates - Match your practice requirements
  • Unstructured notes - Free-form documentation
  • Summary format - Condensed session overview

Privacy and Security​

Data Protection​

  • End-to-end encryption - All recordings are encrypted in transit and storage
  • Automatic deletion - Raw recordings are deleted after processing
  • HIPAA compliance - Meets healthcare privacy standards
  • Secure servers - Processing occurs on compliant infrastructure

Local vs Cloud Processing​

  • Upload required - Processing happens on secure cloud servers
  • No local storage - Recordings don't remain on your device
  • Immediate deletion - Raw audio deleted post-processing
  • Note retention - Only structured notes are permanently stored

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

Recording won't start:

  • Check microphone permissions in browser settings
  • Verify microphone is connected and working
  • Try refreshing the page and starting again

Poor transcription quality:

  • Ensure clear audio input without echo
  • Check microphone positioning and quality
  • Minimize background noise during sessions

Processing takes too long:

  • Check internet connection stability
  • Longer sessions require more processing time
  • Contact support if processing exceeds expected timeframes

Audio not captured:

  • Verify correct microphone selected
  • Check audio levels during recording
  • Ensure microphone isn't muted or blocked

Best Practices​

Before Recording​

  • Test your setup - Do a quick audio test before client sessions
  • Inform your client - Always discuss recording and obtain consent
  • Check environment - Minimize background noise and distractions

During Recording​

  • Speak clearly - Enunciate for better transcription accuracy
  • Use natural pace - Don't speak too quickly or slowly
  • Stay consistent - Keep microphone distance and position stable

After Recording​

  • Review notes promptly - Check generated content for accuracy
  • Edit as needed - Refine AI-generated content with your clinical insights
  • Approve final notes - Move approved notes to client records

Next Steps​

Once you've mastered session recording:

Pro Tip

Combine recording with other note methods! You can record a session and later upload additional handwritten observations to create comprehensive documentation.

Last updated on by Anurag Mandal