Comments on: Why does GoodTherapy.org allow unlicensed and prelicensed members into the directory? http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/07/07/why-does-goodtherapyorg-allow-unlicensed-and-prelicensed-members-into-the-directory/ <<exploring healthy therapy & counseling>> Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:10:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Randy http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/07/07/why-does-goodtherapyorg-allow-unlicensed-and-prelicensed-members-into-the-directory/#comment-2175 Randy Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:03:27 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=41#comment-2175 I applaud your decision to include both licensed and non-licensed professionals. There is absolutely no guarantee that a licensed health care provider will be "safer" than a non-licensed provider. I've seen and heard many licensed therapists over the years say and do things that have caused harm (e.g., purposely creating client dependence in order to fill their own personal voids). All practitioners of these healing arts deserve ample opportunity to showcase what they can offer. Consumers must do their homework, both for licensed and non-licensed practitioners. Since when did having a license mean that a practitioner is "safe'? Weren't there any good practitioners before the advent of licensure? I believe that the governing body of a profession should be a board from within that profession that provides certification, not the government with their state licenses. Consumers must take more responsibility in determining who is best to fit their needs, licensed or unlicensed. That goes for mental health practioners and physical health practitioners. Randy Yniguez, LMHC, RN I applaud your decision to include both licensed and non-licensed professionals. There is absolutely no guarantee that a licensed health care provider will be “safer” than a non-licensed provider. I’ve seen and heard many licensed therapists over the years say and do things that have caused harm (e.g., purposely creating client dependence in order to fill their own personal voids). All practitioners of these healing arts deserve ample opportunity to showcase what they can offer. Consumers must do their homework, both for licensed and non-licensed practitioners.

Since when did having a license mean that a practitioner is “safe’? Weren’t there any good practitioners before the advent of licensure? I believe that the governing body of a profession should be a board from within that profession that provides certification, not the government with their state licenses. Consumers must take more responsibility in determining who is best to fit their needs, licensed or unlicensed. That goes for mental health practioners and physical health practitioners.

Randy Yniguez, LMHC, RN

]]> By: admin http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/07/07/why-does-goodtherapyorg-allow-unlicensed-and-prelicensed-members-into-the-directory/#comment-2139 admin Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:22:17 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=41#comment-2139 Hi Gabriela, This goes without saying. We absolutely inform users in our Terms and Conditions which are required to search our directory. Btw, you're wrong about psych today. The do allow pre-licensed and non-licensed folks in their directory. Yes, they verify licensure for those practitioners who claim they are licensed, but they don't require it. The offer stands should you reconsider, Noah Hi Gabriela, This goes without saying. We absolutely inform users in our Terms and Conditions which are required to search our directory. Btw, you’re wrong about psych today. The do allow pre-licensed and non-licensed folks in their directory. Yes, they verify licensure for those practitioners who claim they are licensed, but they don’t require it. The offer stands should you reconsider, Noah

]]> By: Gabriela Cora, MD, MBA http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/07/07/why-does-goodtherapyorg-allow-unlicensed-and-prelicensed-members-into-the-directory/#comment-2135 Gabriela Cora, MD, MBA Sat, 28 Jul 2007 23:56:34 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=41#comment-2135 I understand the reasons you describe for not asking for licensure and understand your good intentions. Nevertheless, the word "therapy" is synonymous with "treatment." I'd suggest you take this into consideration. I would have loved to link my practice, and have links to Psychology Today and Medem (they do have licensure requirements). You need to take into consideration many of your website viewers will assume those with links have a certain accreditation. You may want to post a disclaimer stating: "AT YOUR OWN RISK." I understand the reasons you describe for not asking for licensure and understand your good intentions. Nevertheless, the word “therapy” is synonymous with “treatment.” I’d suggest you take this into consideration. I would have loved to link my practice, and have links to Psychology Today and Medem (they do have licensure requirements). You need to take into consideration many of your website viewers will assume those with links have a certain accreditation. You may want to post a disclaimer stating: “AT YOUR OWN RISK.”

]]> By: Noah http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/07/07/why-does-goodtherapyorg-allow-unlicensed-and-prelicensed-members-into-the-directory/#comment-1453 Noah Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:45:27 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=41#comment-1453 Hi, I thought I would add a few things to the post I made above: I very much know about the dangers of incompetent therapists and the damage they can inflict. In fact, I just started with a new client who, in her 4th session, admitted she was afraid to go near vulnerable feelings because I might try to be sexual with her as her last therapist did! So not only does she have years of abuse to heal, she also has to deal with how her last therapist rewounded her. So, one of my points is that licensed therapists can also be careless, unconscious, incompotent, and harmful. It would be categorical and false to say all licensed therapists are good and all unlicensed therapists are bad. There are many unlicensed therapists who have been around before I was born and who just never followed the new standardized course toward licensure. Because bad therapists can be both licensed and unlicensed, we at GoodTherapy.org do our best to inform consumers about the Code of Ethics, what good therapy consists of, and what the warning signs of bad therapy are. Finally, I want to assure you that we ask new members to specify their licensure status, license type and to provide their license number. And whatever information is entered is displayed in listings. Noah :) Hi, I thought I would add a few things to the post I made above:

I very much know about the dangers of incompetent therapists and the damage they can inflict. In fact, I just started with a new client who, in her 4th session, admitted she was afraid to go near vulnerable feelings because I might try to be sexual with her as her last therapist did! So not only does she have years of abuse to heal, she also has to deal with how her last therapist rewounded her.

So, one of my points is that licensed therapists can also be careless, unconscious, incompotent, and harmful. It would be categorical and false to say all licensed therapists are good and all unlicensed therapists are bad. There are many unlicensed therapists who have been around before I was born and who just never followed the new standardized course toward licensure.

Because bad therapists can be both licensed and unlicensed, we at GoodTherapy.org do our best to inform consumers about the Code of Ethics, what good therapy consists of, and what the warning signs of bad therapy are.

Finally, I want to assure you that we ask new members to specify their licensure status, license type and to provide their license number. And whatever information is entered is displayed in listings.
Noah :)

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