[tealBumblebee]

I randomly google imaged my own T (I google image everyone, even myself so it's not out of character for me). I saw a second photo of her (that wasn't linked to facebook or anything like that) and in doing so, I found that she has a whole 'nother website of her own (literally in her name). Naturally I clicked on it, but realized immediately that I did not feel right looking at it. It talks about her T services and I guess other things (I literally read six or seven words sporadically on the page) so maybe it's a separate page for her services etc. I'll never know unless she tells me because within twenty seconds I was off the page. I felt like it was such a violation of privacy to pursue it and I respect her way too much for that.

I know people say that if it's online it's "for everyone" but I disagree because you can have a Facebook photo "online" but your account set to private. I don't know. I always read about it; I guess I just finally understand why some others feel it's a boundary to "google" your T.

No point in this post except to mention my 'aha' moment. (I seriously need to get some friends lol).

[gayleggg]

Don't feel bad. I'm sure a lot of people google their T and lots of other people, too. Sometimes it's just too overwhelming what all is out there on the internet. I'm sure she put it there to help possible new clients decide if she would be a good fit for them. I can understand after seeing her for a while it might make you unconfortable.

Glad you had an "aha" moment.

[HazelGirl]

I don't really understand people feeling guilty for googling their T's. I do it all the time, and it never turns up anything too interesting. It's not really a big deal.

[Mike_J]

I needed to send an note to my therapist (don't have an email for her and glad about that) so I googled her office, and they had a nice form so I got my message to my therapist that way, had to go through the receptionist but that was fine.

My point was I also felt a bit guilty for googling no her but her office, and that was a very public web site, still felt guilty about it.

I don't think this is a boundary issue, nor would I feel guilty about Googling a T. I Googled my T when I first started seeing him. It made me feel more safe and connected. If T's are putting information online, I would assume they should feel comfortable having anybody, including clients, access it.

That said, too far for me would be looking up tax records, their home address, or trying to figure out where they will be and when to track them down outside of session.

[SeekerOfLife]

I have also googled T. I too feel guilty, like I have to hide what I did!! I guess my subconscious is telling me something. I thought it would bring me comfort and connection, but it did the opposite!

Searching for basic info about education, practice, etc. seems pretty normal and certainly acceptable. I do have a problem with people who go onto friends or relatives of their T's Facebook pages in order to find information about their T's. Or pretending to be someone else to gain access to them. That's just a bit out there if you ask me. And yes, that has been done and other similar things by people here on PC. There is searching, and there is snooping, digging, conniving, etc. The latter is just a bit stalkerish.

[Perna]

It is natural to wonder about others and I feel Goggling is a form of wondering. I did not like the guilty feelings of doing it behind her back rather than asking her directly so always told T about when I searched for her, just to get rid of that "secret". Wondering is an automatic/unconscious sort of thing so I treat it like I do my dreams (always told/discussed my dreams that had T in them with her).

[Willowleaf]

My t told me to google her. In fact she presumed I had and checked her out, I hadn't! So I duly did and checked her out. She says if its out there she has no problem with me reading it and feels clients should check out stuff by googling their t's.

[RTerroni]

Don't think it crosses boundaries at all, I imagine that you Therapist knows that she has a website and knows that anyone can look at it.

[Favorite Jeans]

I would google a plumber or a dentist so why not a therapist? It seems like due diligence, frankly, to use the most basic means at your disposal to check out a person who is performing an important service for you.

Clearly there's an element of curiosity and intensity with therapists that we rarely have with plumbers and dentists but this doesn't suddenly make it unkosher to google them. If you're not hacking, there's no boundary violation. If you feel uncomfortable looking, then don't. But that doesn't make it wrong.

[tametc]

My two most recent Ts are independent contractors, but all of the Ts in the suite of offices share administrative and billing services. They have a website, and the name ends with "Therapy Center". One of the things that can be clicked on is "Clinicians". Just about all of them have photos of themselves, and then whatever other information they decide to put there. Most list their education and background, and their areas of expertise/specialty. My former T also included a link to send him an email for further info.

[growlycat]

I think I know what you mean Teal--

I think everyone Googles their T, but not everyone knows that image search can pull up stuff that would otherwise have security settings around it. It's not "hacking" your therapist's info by any means, but then again it is a step beyond googling.

No judgement here---in fact, I'm tempted to try it myself!!