Confidentiality & Ethics
Mental health professionals must follow strict ethical guidelines (e.g., APA, BPS, etc.), which discourage soliciting testimonials from clients due to confidentiality concerns and the potential for coercion.
Additionally, requesting reviews could create a power imbalance between the psychologist and the client, making the client feel obligated to provide positive feedback. This can blur the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship and impact the client’s sense of autonomy. Instead of relying on testimonials, mental health professionals demonstrate their credibility through their qualifications, experience, and adherence to ethical standards, ensuring clients receive the highest level of care without external influence.
Ultimately, the priority of mental health professionals is to foster a trusting, confidential, and ethical therapeutic environment where clients feel safe to seek help without any external pressure. While reviews can be valuable for many businesses, psychology relies on professional reputation, ethical practice, and client well-being rather than public testimonials. This commitment ensures that therapy remains a private, judgment-free space focused solely on the client’s needs and growth.
Power Imbalance
Clients might feel pressured to leave positive reviews, even if their experience was mixed, due to the nature of the therapeutic relationship.
This pressure can stem from a sense of gratitude, obligation, or the desire to maintain a positive relationship with their therapist. Unlike traditional businesses, where reviews are often transactional, therapy involves deep personal work, making it difficult for clients to provide objective feedback. As a result, public reviews may not always reflect the full scope of a client’s experience, further emphasizing the ethical concerns surrounding solicited testimonials.
To uphold ethical standards and protect client well-being, mental health professionals prioritize confidentiality, trust, and professional integrity over public feedback. Rather than relying on reviews, their credibility is built through expertise, ethical practice, and word-of-mouth referrals from those who have genuinely benefited from their care. This ensures that therapy remains a safe, unbiased space where clients can focus on healing without external influence.
Privacy of Clients
Encouraging reviews might inadvertently reveal that someone is receiving therapy, which could be a breach of their privacy.
This is especially concerning because mental health is a deeply personal matter, and not all clients feel comfortable disclosing their therapy journey publicly. Even if a review is positive, it could unintentionally expose sensitive details about a client’s struggles, progress, or therapist-client relationship. Protecting a client’s privacy is a fundamental ethical responsibility, ensuring that individuals feel safe seeking support without fear of public disclosure.
For this reason, mental health professionals prioritize discretion, confidentiality, and ethical care over public testimonials. Rather than requesting reviews, they focus on creating a safe, judgment-free space where clients can heal without concern for external visibility. This approach reinforces trust and ensures that therapy remains a private and supportive experience tailored to each individual's well-being.
Bias & Inaccuracy
Reviews can be misleading since therapy effectiveness varies by individual, and people who are dissatisfied might be more likely to leave a review, skewing the perception of a therapist’s abilities.
Additionally, therapy is a deeply personal and evolving process, meaning that progress may not always be immediate or linear. Some clients may initially feel frustrated before experiencing breakthroughs, while others might not connect with a particular therapeutic approach but could thrive with a different method or professional. Because of this variability, online reviews often fail to capture the full picture of a therapist’s skill, approach, and long-term impact on their clients.
To ensure fair and accurate representation, mental health professionals prioritize ethical practice, client confidentiality, and professional referrals over public reviews. Therapy is a highly individualized journey, and its success cannot always be measured through ratings or testimonials. Instead, the true value of a therapist’s work is reflected in the growth, resilience, and well-being of their clients, making privacy and trust the foundation of effective mental health care.
Professional Reputation Is Built Differently
Instead of relying on public reviews, psychologists often gain credibility through referrals from doctors, word of mouth, credentials, experience, and research contributions.
These alternative sources of credibility provide a more accurate and ethical representation of a psychologist’s expertise and effectiveness. Referrals from medical professionals ensure that clients are connected with trusted and qualified practitioners, while word-of-mouth recommendations stem from genuine personal experiences. Additionally, a psychologist’s credentials, years of experience, and contributions to research and professional development demonstrate their commitment to evidence-based care and continuous learning in the field of mental health.
By prioritizing professional reputation, ethical standards, and client well-being over public reviews, psychologists maintain the integrity of the therapeutic process. Their expertise is best reflected through trusted referrals, proven methodologies, and the positive impact they have on their clients’ lives. This approach ensures that therapy remains a confidential, effective, and personalized experience for those seeking support.
Maintaining Trust, Ethics, and Professional Integrity in Mental Health Care
That said, some therapists do have reviews on platforms like Google or Psychology Today, but ethical practitioners generally don’t solicit them.
This approach ensures that therapy remains a safe and confidential space where clients can seek help without feeling pressured to share their experiences publicly. Ethical practitioners prioritize professionalism and discretion, understanding that mental health care is deeply personal and varies for each individual. Rather than relying on public testimonials, they focus on delivering quality care, maintaining ethical standards, and fostering strong therapeutic relationships that support long-term well-being.
Ultimately, the true value of therapy lies in the personal growth, healing, and well-being of each client, not in public ratings or testimonials. Ethical mental health professionals remain committed to confidentiality, integrity, and evidence-based care, ensuring that clients feel safe, supported, and empowered on their journey. By prioritizing trust and professionalism over solicited reviews, they uphold the highest standards of mental health care, allowing therapy to remain a deeply personal and transformative experience.
Why Choose Flourish?
At Flourish Psychological Services, we take a personalized approach to EMDR therapy, tailoring each session to fit your unique needs. Our therapists are highly trained in EMDR and bring years of experience in trauma-focused care. Most importantly, we’re committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where you can feel understood and comfortable.
We understand how challenging it can be to make time for therapy, which is why we offer flexible options to fit your schedule. Our goal isn’t just to help you manage symptoms but to guide you toward lasting healing—helping you process difficult memories, build resilience, and rediscover your sense of balance and control. When you’re ready to begin, we’ll be here to walk alongside you every step of the way.