Step-by-Step: Blur Doxy.me Background Without Paying for Pro

Doxy.me is a popular, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform trusted by therapists worldwide. While many clinicians want to blur their background for privacy and professionalism, this feature is only available with the paid Pro plan. But what if you could achieve the same effect for free? In this guide, we will show you a simple step-by-step method to blur your background on Doxy.me—no upgrade required. (Note: This workaround works on PC or laptop only, not mobile devices.) Click here for a step-by-step guide to help clients search for a mental health professional.

Introduction

As more therapists turn to virtual sessions, Doxy.me has emerged as one of the most widely used telehealth platforms—thanks to its HIPAA-compliant, browser-based setup and ease of use for both providers and clients. With no downloads required for patients and a generous free plan, it’s no surprise that Doxy.me is a favorite among mental health professionals.

One common request among clinicians, however, is the ability to blur or replace their background during sessions—whether to protect personal privacy or present a more professional image. Unfortunately, this feature is only available to users on the Doxy.me Pro plan.

The good news? You don’t have to upgrade to Pro just to blur your background. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a completely free workaround using a powerful tool called OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)—no subscription required.

What Is Doxy.me

Doxy.me is a widely used telehealth platform tailored for medical and mental health professionals. Its biggest draw is simplicity—it’s entirely browser-based, which means neither you nor your clients need to download any software to get started.

For therapists, especially those in private practice, Doxy.me offers a streamlined, HIPAA-compliant way to conduct virtual sessions securely and efficiently.

Key Features of the Free Plan:

• HIPAA-compliant for safe, private sessions

• Unlimited call minutes with no session caps

• No downloads for clients—just send them a link

What You Get With the Pro Plan:

• Custom branding (logo, colors, room name)

• Higher video quality controls

• Virtual background options, including background blur or replacement

• Priority customer support

While the free plan is generous, many therapists wish they could access background blur without committing to a paid upgrade. That’s where the free workaround using OBS comes in.

Limitation for Free Users

One of the most requested features among therapists using Doxy.me is the ability to blur or hide their background during video calls. Whether you're working from a home office, a shared space, or just want to maintain a clean visual environment for clients, a blurred background adds a layer of professionalism and privacy.

However, this feature is only available to Pro subscribers.

For therapists using the free plan, this can be frustrating—especially when the rest of the platform meets their needs. Fortunately, there’s a no-cost solution that lets you blur your background without upgrading: using OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) to create a virtual camera feed with background removal or blur.

A Free Alternative

If you’re looking to blur your background on Doxy.me without paying for the Pro plan, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) offers a powerful and completely free solution.

Originally designed for live-streaming and video recording, OBS is a free, open-source software trusted by content creators around the world. But beyond streaming, OBS can also function as a “virtual webcam,” allowing you to apply custom filters—including background removal or blur—and then feed that enhanced video directly into platforms like Doxy.me.

With the help of a simple plugin, you can transform your webcam feed, maintain your privacy, and present a polished look in every virtual session—no upgrade required.

Step 1: Install OBS Studio

To get started, you’ll need to download and install OBS Studio—a free, open-source software available for all major operating systems.

How to Install:

1. Visit the official OBS website: https://obsproject.com

2. Click “Download OBS Studio” and select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)

3. Once the installer is downloaded, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation

If you're new to OBS and want a visual walkthrough, check out this helpful video guide: OBS Beginner Tutorial

This will give you a solid overview of OBS basics and help you get comfortable with the interface before moving on to background setup.

Step 2: Download the Plugin

To enable background blur or removal in OBS, you’ll need to install a free plugin that adds virtual green screen effects—even without an actual green screen.

How to Install:

1. Visit the plugin page:
   Background Removal Plugin

2. Click “Download Now” on the right-hand side of the page.

3. Once downloaded, install.

4. Restart OBS if it was already open to load the new plugin.

For help, watch this video on how to download the plugin: Blur Webcam Background in OBS

Step 3: Set Up Blurred Background

Now that OBS and the plugin are installed, it’s time to configure your virtual camera with a blurred or removed background.

How to Set It Up:

1. Open OBS Studio

2. In the Sources box (bottom area), click the + and select Video Capture Device

   • Name it something like “Webcam” and click OK

   • Select your webcam from the device dropdown and click OK again

3. Right-click your webcam source in the Sources list

   • Select Filters

4. Under the Effect Filters section, click the + and choose “Background Removal”

   • Click OK to add it

5. Adjust the plugin settings:

   • You can fine-tune thresholds and smoothness

   • Good lighting improves the effect significantly

   • Some users prefer to use “Background Blur” mode or upload a replacement image

6. (Optional) Add other filters like:

   • Color Correction to brighten or adjust tone

   • Sharpen to enhance video clarity

7. Once everything looks good, click “Start Virtual Camera” (bottom-right corner of OBS)

Your webcam feed is now running through OBS with background effects—ready to be used in Doxy.me!

Step 4: Select OBS in Doxy.me

Once your virtual camera is active in OBS, you’ll need to connect it to Doxy.me so your clients can see your filtered video.

How to Connect OBS to Doxy.me:

1. Open Doxy.me in your browser

2. Log into your provider account

3. Click the gear icon in the top right corner

4. Select “Audio & Video Settings”

5. Under the “Camera” dropdown, choose OBS Virtual Camera

Your Doxy.me video feed will now display whatever is running through OBS—including your blurred or removed background.

Important: If you don’t enable the Background Removal filter in OBS, Doxy.me will display a plain blue OBS background instead of your webcam image. Make sure the filter is active and the virtual camera is started before beginning your session.

Why Use OBS Virtual Camera

Using OBS as your virtual camera offers several advantages—whether you're on the free version of Doxy.me or not:

• Built-in Background Effects: OBS acts as a webcam source but lets you add background blur, replacement, lighting enhancements, and more—right from your desktop.

• More Customization: Even if you had Doxy.me Pro, OBS offers greater control over your video appearance, including advanced filters like color correction, sharpness, and precise background tuning.

• Cross-Platform Flexibility: Once set up, OBS Virtual Camera can be used in other platforms too—like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and beyond. It’s a one-time setup that enhances your video presence everywhere.

With OBS, you're not just getting around a paywall—you're upgrading your overall virtual presence.

Notes and Tips

• Not for Mobile: This method works only on PC or laptop—it is not supported on mobile devices.

• Lighting Matters: For the best background removal results, use good lighting. Uneven or low lighting can cause visual glitches or poor background detection.

• For Future Sessions: Each time you use Doxy.me, just:

  1. Open OBS Studio

  2. Click “Start Virtual Camera”

  3. Then launch your Doxy.me session

That’s it—your professional, blurred background setup is ready to go!

Conclusion

You don’t need to upgrade to Doxy.me Pro just to get a blurred background.

By using OBS Studio and the free Background Removal plugin, you can enhance your video feed, protect client privacy, and maintain a polished, professional appearance—at no cost.

Give it a try and see the difference in your next telehealth session!

More Resources

If you are interested in learning more, click here. For more information on this topic, we recommend the following:

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About the Author

Jessica Taylor is a licensed therapist and board certified coach who contributes to the promotion of mental health and addiction awareness by providing educational resources and information.