I can hardly believe it’s been almost a year since my first Psych Central piece, Psychotherapists Unmasked on the Internet, which examined the changing landscape of our field as it relates to therapists having an online presence. There was a paradigm shift occurring, a changing of the guard, from older ideas about how therapists were “supposed” to be presenting themselves — to newer thinking that embraced putting yourself out there (picture and all) on a website with information about you, your philosophy about therapy, articles about specific topics, etc.
I had a number of comments on this piece from therapists trying to find their way in this foreign territory. Marsha Lucas, PhD, said, “It’s a very different experience, walking into the waiting room to meet a new patient, and (a) they already know what I look like, but not the other way around; (b) they already know my educational history and approach to therapy; and (c) they’ve made a choice to see me, rather than (as in the old days) simply being referred by someone else. It’s a different way to start the therapeutic relationship for sure.”
Esther Boykin, MFT, commented, “I am finding that the comfort zone of visibility varies not only by era but by field of study and prior work experience. As someone who has always worked (since graduation) in a private practice setting I see the value of visibility very differently than colleagues who have their professional roots in hospitals and/or agencies.”
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I agree that the upside of an on-line presence out-weighs the down-side. It takes some of the mystery out of the therapy experience, allows people to make informed choices and find a treatment provider who is a good fit for them.
From the other side of the couch. I saw a therapist who looked great online, began seeing them. Very soon I was told I could only tweet/FB/blog about specific issues not related to my issues my process or my therapy. BIG RED FLAG. Turned out to be a nightmare. My lessons are: put out who you really are and how you really work in your online presence. Don’t restrict ur patients–as long as ur anonymity is protected of course. I heard many conflicting reasons why my freedom of speech was stripped but I never believed this person in anything they said. Ur only setting urself up for failure and liability issues.
Christy – Well said. All therapists do not resonate with all people. The “fit” is so important! The increase in therapist info out there via websites, writing, etc – can only increase the chances the consumer finds one who “fits” – or rule out those who do not “fit” sooner rather than later.
Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT
Thanks for continuing to follow this important trend, Lisa (and for your kind mention). You share such great resources in the Toolbox, and your love of helping others both on the web and in those all-important face-to-face encounters is always so clear. Much appreciation for your work!
Lisa,
Great piece, as always. Your take on the “business of being in a therapy business” is truly refreshing. I will say this, I think the conversation around online therapy, web presence, the usage of social networking and whatever else new and wonderful might come down the virtual pike, is far from over.
My experience as the architect behind ProConnect(the web/marketing service for experts on YourTango.com)is that there are still lots of folks who are slow to adopt technology. Further, there appears to be a divide between those who embrace technology and those who don’t.
Unless you’re an expert with an incredibly niched practice or someone with an incredible reputation, network or word of mouth business, not being online only makes things harder. If Pew Research is to be believed (and I think they are) and close to 80% of regular folks are looking for healthy info online, if you’re not online in the form of a website or blog, someone else is working with your clients.
It’s no longer a question of it being “right” or “wrong” to be online, it’s now a question of whether or not you want to be in business.
New grads will embrace all that online technology has to offer and will do so ethically, emphatically & intelligently. Their efforts will keep the profession relevant and thriving because they will meet their clients where the live, online.
I’ll end with this, the Dept of Labor predicts an 18% rise in the employment of counselors through 2018. My prediction is that the majority of them will get clients, develop their niches, author books, workshops, hold seminars, educate readers & direct our profession all through online means.
If we look back on this post in 8 years, I think we’ll see that the divide between those who make it through the recession and those who don’t will come down to one thing: knowing that even though we’re therapists, we’re also in business. We’re in the business of helping people; but first and foremost, we’re in business.
We owe it to ourselves to understand what that really means and learn how to use all the tools available to create a thriving business so we can get back to doing the thing we really love, which is helping clients.
Thank you again for your piece, it was wonderful and one to be shared.
~Melanie
I developed my fist professional website about eight yrs ago. At the time, some of my colleagues had mixed feelings about therapists having websites, but most of them see the value in it now. Many clients find me by reading my blog, which addresses many issues, including relationships, careers, and managing stress. I like the fact that clients have a sense of who I am and how I work before we meet.
Very timely discussion. Thanks, Lisa!
The amount of online exposure therapists have (whether they like it or not) continues to evolve. Therapists (as well as other helping professionals) are playing catch-up, since many potential clients already feel at home with the increasing amounts of “personal” information they can access online about friends, coworkers, colleagues, and yes, even their therapists. Some clients will now choose a particular therapist only after the client is able to find out certain information about a potential therapist online. One could make the argument that learning about a therapist online (for instance, whether a therapist is single or married, gay or straight, liberal or conservative) is a precursor to building a therapeutic alliance prior to an actual face-to-face meeting.
Therapists can no longer hide behind the illusion of anonymity (which really never existed). In the end, the goal is to process the particular meaning certain information the client may find online about his/her therapist in the therapy (if it’s relevant).
As the private/personal—shared/social dimension of life as we once knew it continues to shift, a new norm is being created. This new norm might feel uncomfortable or even intrusive at times. But to be effective therapists (and to live our lives without always constantly looking over our online shoulders), we must adapt to this new social zeitgeist.
Splinteredones – Yes. If you’re going to put yourself out there as a therapist, best to be honest and authentic. It sounds like part of your process as you work through your issues – is to be open, share them online and get support, particularly from others who have been through similar experiences. It works for you and this is great! I’ve seen many like yourself using social networking in this way and I for one think it’s refreshing and can be helpful to many others.
Marsha – Thank you for your support. I am clearly a big fan of what you’re doing to educate folks about neuroscience and relationships in Rewire Your Brain for Love. Kudos!
Melanie – Great information and stats, thanks for sharing that. It sounds like therapists who embrace the business sides of themselves have a greater chance of thriving now and down the road. We can be good clinicians helping others – and business savvy therapists helping ourselves too. The two can absolutely co-exist with authentic and ethical marketing practices. With ProConnect, you offer a great opportunity to therapists to write about topics in which they have knowledge – and have a platform in which to be seen.
Josephine – Greetings to another therapist who ventured out into this territory early on! I know 6 years ago I also found myself fielding questions and “mixed feelings” from other therapists. But when they started to understand that yes, people seek therapists online like everything else, the ball picked up speed. And here we are today!
Richard – You nailed it in your statement, “Therapists can no longer hide behind the illusion of anonymity…” with this changed landscape. Potential clients have far more information about us than ever before – and therapists embracing this change need to adapt in assessing their own comfort level of what they’re putting out there – and carefully consider the digital footprint being left behind.
It’s a very interesting topic, I relate to so much that has been said here. I wonder sometimes if this ‘extension’ of myself, although in the guise of increasing business, giving clients more choice and being more transparent, is about a fundamental narcissism in the work that we do. Yes it’s about the client always, but I don’t think we’d be in this profession if it wasn’t for needing to be seen and appreciated at some primal level. Having this online ‘presence’ that now reaches worldwide is quite bizzare; mug shot, blog, trainings, in short such personal revelations…and yet anonymous at the same time. It could be perverse, voyueristic…strong words I know, I spend so much time listening, maybe it is all about me in the end?
The online presence of music therapists has been a little further behind the curve–the wave has not crashed down for us, yet
And we’re getting into discussions about online ethics, etc.
Another “perk” of having an online presence is the connection and networking that happens between professionals. I am in private practice and am by myself 90% of the time. The online connections I have with other therapists is vital for my growth and…quite bluntly…my sanity!
Kimberly
Richard – Fantastic comment and I appreciate your candor. The visibility and reach potential for us in creating our “online presence” can bring up interesting dynamics within ourselves. Being mindful of our own underlying wounds and what this activity might be feeding in us as therapists – is an important topic in and of itself. It’s useful to check into what being “seen” this way may fuel in us and if/how a “fundamental narcissism” is being activated in an unproductive way (for self and others). I think the point you bring up could be part of the “dark cloud” I was aluding to above in “therapists trying to do too much, getting too connected and too stretched out with their time.” Perhaps a periodic re-assessment of “what’s driving us?” would be useful to keep ourselves and our intentions in check.
Great article, Lisa!
My website started as a creative outlet that allowed me to share research-based information about parenting. Although it can be a lot of work, I now find that it motivates me to stay up-to-date on current research findings and clinical tools, which I can then share with clients. And it’s true that the “fit” between the therapist and the client is essential -an online presence probably makes it easier for clients to find a good match!
Kimberly – I also enjoy the connections with other therapists that I’ve made online. I’m not sure I would have ever been able to develop a therapist network across the country – and even world – if not for social networking.
Brian – Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the piece. It sounds like your site has become a labor of love for you, similar to mine for me.
Great article! The amount of clients that search for therapists online is growing every day. People don’t feel comfortable asking for a referral for a therapist. Just like Lisa, my heart is helping my clients both in the therapy office and on the internet.
EstesTherapy – Yes! If you’re a therapist in private practice and don’t have a huge referral network already established, I would say these days it’s almost impossible not to have some sort of online presence where people can find you! Knowing you and your work personally, I am quite sure you are helping people immensely in both venues.
Great post and comment discussion! Re work/life balance, there is also work(therapy)/work(supervision/training/everything else) balance. When clients are looking for therapists, if it seems like those of us in the field are only chatting with each other, or are blogging more about online product, that can give an incorrect and incomplete picture to potential therapy clients.
To Richard’s comments, I look forward to more discussion and insight into how professionals “compose” our online personae, and how that interacts with our theoretical and therapeutic frameworks.