What can you do to procure and use testimonials?
Given that psychologists and psychology practices cannot solicit testimonials, here’s what you can do:
Ask for testimonials from people other than your patients/clients. Begin with your colleagues who understand your practice and can speak responsibly to your approach, vouching for your expertise without compromising patient/client confidentiality.
Collect and post your own testimonials. You are already being graded on other sites such as Yelp, HealthGrades.com, wellness.com and other professional sources. Site the source, date, and links to the original review.
Attach your social media business accounts to your professional website for professional connections to leave reviews.
Inspire an unsolicited review. Providing exceptional service will often produce unsolicited reviews. People want to share their positive experiences with others.
Gather feedback from workshops. In a workshop setting, you can gather feedback attributed to a group, instead of any individual. This group can be comprised of patients/clients, colleagues, friends, students, so the patient confidentiality issue is removed.
Collect clippings from the media (including print, video, and online sources) that include impressions of your work.
Ambiguities and What They Mean for You
The rules and guidelines of the APA Ethics Code are clear. But, almost as important as what’s in the Ethics Code is what isn’t. What if a patient/client wants to give a review? Are there ways to garner testimonials while operating within the guidelines?
We see several circumstances under which testimonials can be derived because the Ethics Code does not speak to instances where:
- A psychologist who has received express approval by a patient/client without solicitation for speaking about case studies, treatments, therapies, experiences of a patient/client
- An unsolicited patient who learns about a testimonial opportunity through means other than their psychologist who might choose to participate in giving a testimonial, and to what extent they can comment on their own treatment/therapy
- An unsolicited opportunity for a patient to give their testimony, experience, or recommendation for a psychologist’s practice
We draw the conclusion that the absence of guidelines in these circumstances translates to their being no restrictions or guidelines.
If a patient/client learns of a channel to provide feedback, reviews and video testimonials, there seems to be no preclusion for them to do so. In the abovementioned suggestions, there’s nothing to stop your patients/clients from also giving a review where it might read “Colleague reviews” with a QR code or link to a video testimonial company you’ve retained.
When working with SHARE.ONE, we provide consent forms, obtain verbal consent on the video itself, and include language such as “giving this testimonial of my free will…” and should consider using language that the interviewee is under no duress, pressure, or influence to give such testimonial.
Asking former patients/clients for testimonials
According to The Practice Institute, behavioral health consultants, in a piece written in 20212, provide this view of asking former clients in the behavioral health sect:
The ethics codes of counselors specifically states that former clients should not be asked for testimonials for two years after termination of services.
The ethics codes of psychologists, social workers and MFTs do not specifically prohibit asking for testimonials from former clients, but they do note that professionals need to avoid exploiting anyone who may be vulnerable to undue influence.
Consider that sometimes clients return after 5, 10 or more years. Asking former clients to give testimonials can contaminate the therapeutic relationship that you established with them. Thus, it is best to assume that “once a client, always a client” and to never to ask former clients for testimonials.
We’re in an age of social proof. There are ways that psychologists’ practices can obtain this while still operating within the APA Ethics Code. But strict adherence to the Ethics Code is strongly recommended.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal or ethical advice. All practitioners are responsible for understanding the legal and ethical guidelines that apply to their situation.
Relevant Mental Health Professionals’ Ethics Codes
APA
5.05 Testimonials
Psychologists do not solicit testimonials from cur-rent therapy clients/patients or other persons who because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence.
NASW
4.07 Solicitations
(b) Social workers should not engage in solicitation of testimonial endorsements (including solicitation of consent to use a client’s prior statement as a testimonial endorsement) from current clients or from other people who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence
ACA
C.3.b. Testimonials
Counselors who use testimonials do not solicit them from current clients, former clients, or any other persons who may be vulnerable to undue influence. Counselors discuss with clients the implications of and obtain permission for the use of any testimonial.
NBCC
62.NCCs shall not solicit testimonials from current clients or their families and close friends. Recognizing the possibility of future requests for services, NCCs shall not solicit testimonials from former clients within two years from the date of service termination.
AAMFT
3.8 Exploitation.
Marriage and family therapists do not engage in the exploitation of clients, students, trainees, supervisees, employees, colleagues, or research subjects.
Resources:
https://thepracticeinstitute.com/asking-for-testimonials-ethics-and-implications/#:~:text=The%20ethics%20codes%20of%20psychologists,be%20vulnerable%20to%20undue%20influence.
https://jacksonllp.com/soliciting-reviews-from-patients/
https://www.simplepractice.com/blog/testimonials-market-practice/
https://simplifiedseoconsulting.com/ways-to-ethically-source-reviews-as-mental-health-professionals/
https://www.camft.org/Resources/Legal-Articles/Chronological-Article-List/to-solicit-or-not-to-solicit-key-issues-to-consider-before-soliciting-testimonials-and-reviews-from-patients
https://www.brightervision.com/blog/therapist-client-reviews/
https://tamarasuttle.com/getting-testimonials-from-your-clients/