Our first attempt
For a while now, we have considered the best way to open a dialogue to our loyal clients and interested potential clients to discuss using the internet in mental health practices. Before you log off thinking this is another essay on internet counseling...Read on and we think you will be surprised.
We believe that many in the mental health field do not feel comfortable with using the internet-- either to seek out information, obtain a service or product or to use it to promote their practices.
For example, how many of you still will not enter credit card information on an internet site for fear of identity issues?
The history is long and sordid, but like many early adopters, the early internet users in the mental health field, tried the online counseling route that was unregulated early on and frankly, scared, many office seated, face to face counselors and therapists.
Since those early days, things have expanded. There are internet counseling practices, for sure, and discussions about ethics. There are online guidelines in ethical standards from almost all of the major professional associations. It is growing- but relatively slowly compared to other industries.
Why is that?
We tend to believe the internet should be used to offer consumers a face to your practice. Sure, you can use the internet for counseling, many do, but really our purpose is a more conservative approach. To talk about using the internet as a place that the growing number of internet users can find you and your practice, resulting in greater exposure and referrals over time to your office practice.
This blog will be used to discuss all the different ways to do just that- to increase visibility, maintain professionalism and hopefully increase your reach to those in need. We welcome your feedback and look forward to offering you some perspectives you might find useful. Send us a comment to keep the discussion lively.
We believe that many in the mental health field do not feel comfortable with using the internet-- either to seek out information, obtain a service or product or to use it to promote their practices.
For example, how many of you still will not enter credit card information on an internet site for fear of identity issues?
The history is long and sordid, but like many early adopters, the early internet users in the mental health field, tried the online counseling route that was unregulated early on and frankly, scared, many office seated, face to face counselors and therapists.
Since those early days, things have expanded. There are internet counseling practices, for sure, and discussions about ethics. There are online guidelines in ethical standards from almost all of the major professional associations. It is growing- but relatively slowly compared to other industries.
Why is that?
We tend to believe the internet should be used to offer consumers a face to your practice. Sure, you can use the internet for counseling, many do, but really our purpose is a more conservative approach. To talk about using the internet as a place that the growing number of internet users can find you and your practice, resulting in greater exposure and referrals over time to your office practice.
This blog will be used to discuss all the different ways to do just that- to increase visibility, maintain professionalism and hopefully increase your reach to those in need. We welcome your feedback and look forward to offering you some perspectives you might find useful. Send us a comment to keep the discussion lively.
