[Petra5ed]

I'm not really considering this, just curious if people do it.

[nicoleflynn]

I considered it, but know a lot about him and we are FB friends.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Nope. And I wouldn't. If I had a feeling a T was that sketchy that I wanted to do a background check, I'd just terminate. I trust my instincts. Google searches are where I draw the line. Anything past that or where I have to pay money, feels like stalking (just for me personally).

[NowhereUSA]

Like a hardcore background check, paid for and all that?

No.

If I thought my T were sketchy, he wouldn't be my T.

[Lauliza]

I have checked online for malpractice related information (which I think everyone should do). If you are referring to deeper background checks that you pay for, no I haven't. I wouldn't feel right about it since it's getting it's their personal information.

[NowhereUSA]

Originally Posted by Lauliza

Anything pertinent about their background as it would apply to clients can be found online - like if they've ever been disciplined or anything. So I have checked on that info. If you mens the background checks you pay for, no I wouldn't feel right about that.

You can find if they've been disciplined online? Huh. I have no reason to think he has but it's something I'd want to check on prior to seeing a new T.

[Lauliza]

Where I live the government website has a database of every licensed professional in the state (which I imagine is the same in every state). You can look them up by name and profession and you'll get their license number and information related to it- when they received it, when it expires, disciplinary action, etc. If they've had complaints filed where no action was taken I don't think you'd see that but I could be wrong. Every state may vary a little but it's public information so they all will have it somewhere accessible.

[NowhereUSA]

Huh. Now I'm curious

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

Huh. Now I'm curious

I've looked up my pdoc and t when I first started seeing them just because that's what I do I've even looked up people I know just out of curiosity and boredom. :/

If you have their NPI number you can just google it and you'll probably find this info even quicker. It's not very interesting though unless the person has actually done something wrong, which I've yet to see.

[peacelizard]

Hmm. Never really thought about it. Seems a bit excessive. I mean, do you run a background check on every new friend or boyfriend/girlfriend?

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by peacelizard

Hmm. Never really thought about it. Seems a bit excessive. I mean, do you run a background check on every new friend or boyfriend/girlfriend?

Honestly when I was dating I googled everyone but personal paid for background checks- no way. Maybe it's the internet age when you do need to fe cautious, because the men fully expected to be looked up. I always found stuff but again never anything personal like net worth. But if they're a registered sex offender that is pretty useful (and free) information

[NowhereUSA]

Originally Posted by Lauliza

I've looked up my pdoc and t when I first started seeing them just because that's what I do I've even looked up people I know just out of curiosity and boredom. :/

If you have their NPI number you can just google it and you'll probably find this info even quicker. It's not very interesting though unless the person has actually done something wrong, which I've yet to see.

My state has a board of psychology but it looks like they haven't updated the design since like 1998. My T has his PhD and it doesn't look like there's a direct way to search for complaints, but again, I don't have a reason to think he has any either but I was curious LOL

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

My state has a board of psychology but it looks like they haven't updated the design since like 1998. My T has his PhD and it doesn't look like there's a direct way to search for complaints, but again, I don't have a reason to think he has any either but I was curious LOL

Yeah there isn't a separate search for complaints. It would be noted with his other info like license number and dates. So if you don't see anything there isn't anything on his record.

[scorpiosis37]

Prior to my first appointment, I entered her license number into the state's website just to verify that her license was active and she had no complaints filed against her. I think it is prudent to do that with medical doctors, therapists, and lawyers. On more than one occasion I have learned that the practitioner DID have complaints filed against them and elected not to see that practioner. It's just too darn easy for any Jo Schmo to put up a website and advertise as a professional service provider. I like to ensure that the person I am seeing is in fact qualified to do their job and has a good reputation. I am not, however, interested in learning any personal information about my T that way-- I just want to know she is not a serial killer or a T who has seriously f'd up other clients!

[guilloche]

Looking up their license for complaints is a good idea.

I looked at the state's psychological association to verify that he had a license , and how long he'd been in practice, but that was it. I tried googling specifically for reviews, but didn't find any (*frustrating!*).

He also linked his business FB page to his website, so I read through several years of his past posts to try to get a feeling for who he was, before deciding to call. Not sure it actually helped, but it felt like I was doing something!

[WrkNPrgress]

I can understand doing this before your see some one, but not with a T you already have a relationship with, or just in curiosity stemming from transference or something.

If there's cause to be suspicious, then terminate.
If there's cause to make your own complaint, then do.

If not, then what would the point?

you might Ask yourself what would it feel like if you found something but didn't know the whole story. wouldn't it affect your relationship?

I would also add that if you feel like you T has done something to make a complaint about, lack of prior History doesn't mean anything. Listen to your instincts. ☺

[LindaLu]

Beforehand: Confirmed her license with state and her academic credentials. Looked on Trulia to see if she owned the home where she works out of. Conducted a couple other public record searches after starting therapy when I developed some concerns, but was satisfied enough with findings to continue working with her.

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by WrkNPrgress

I can understand doing this before your see some one, but not with a T you already have a relationship with, or just in curiosity stemming from transference or something.

If there's cause to be suspicious, then terminate.
If there's cause to make your own complaint, then do.

If not, then what would the point?

Often there is no point - it's just something people do.I don't think it indicates distrust necessarily, it's just human curiosity. Unless theyve had their license suspended or revoked (which you'd want to know) you're not going to find much anyway. So I don't see how a search would impact the therapeutic relationship. Ive found more interesting info in online reviews from other clients than anywhere else.

[Ididitmyway]

I never did, but if I ever decide to get therapy again (which is unlikely) I will. My former therapist now has the disciplinary action in his public record. His license is on probation now and I hope his current and potential clients will go to the board's website and check it out. It's a good idea to do so when you are considering seeing a particular therapist. However, keep in mind that just because there is no record on him/her on the board's website that doesn't mean they are ethical. It is generally very difficult to hold unethical therapists accountable. The majority of complaints never gets investigated for the lack of evidence.

Yes, before meeting with a new therapist, I do run a free check at the government website to make sure he/she doesn't have any complaints pending or founded on them by past clients. The one time I didn't do it, I got a "tiny niggle of doubt" with a new therapist I had decided to work with and I did the check a month and a half after we started to work together. Sure enough, her license to practice was on a two year probationary status due to a complaint from a client. Apparently, she had terminated a client via email and did not provide a termination(s) session or a referral list. The client had posted the ENTIRE official judgment on line for anyone to read. I can tell from the description of the case that it was a very difficult one with a lot of SI and S threats, but the therapist's handling of the situation was definitely below what I would call "good care". I did terminate with the therapist but I was too chicken to tell her the reason that I was leaving. I wouldn't pay to do a background check. I think that's too personal and reserved for situations like dating--ie. a young mother with children who decides she wants to start a personal relationship with some guy. Then I think it's a very good idea!

[SoupDragon]

Yes, I checked the professional register to make sure my T was accredited.

After reading this, I checked on my previous not-very-good therapist and found an inconsistency. She claimed to have had 14 years as a full time licensed mental health counselor, but the record shows that she had gotten her license 5 years earlier. Prior to that, she was credentialed, but not licensed, and I doubt she was full-time. If nothing else, it was misleading. It also explains her seeming lack of experience with difficult issues.

Current therapist checks out just fine, exactly how she describes her experience and credentials.

[stopdog]

I picked her off of an internet site - of course I checked out her credentials/license.