The legitimacy of (online) fad therapeutic treatments

Yes but their time costs money, to run the practice and all that. Its like taking your car to the shop because you need your alignment fixed. So the fix the alignment but do not mention that you need two new tires. What you pay for includes labor. The still worked on your car even if they diagnose the entire problem.

very good and sincere discussion here. thx all of you

No, that's not it at all. An analogous scenario would be taking your car to a mechanic for a problem with your transmission, but instead of looking under the hood, the mechanic says that the pressure in your tires is low. The mechanic fills your tires with air but charges you the fee for repairing the transmission; yet you have to go to another mechanic (and again pay the fee) to get the original problem fixed.

I'm not trying to convince you to agree with me, but your responses have little to do with my point. My point is that people who think they are paying for a certain service can be ripped off regardless of someone's credentials, and that perhaps presenting oneself with magical healing powers (duh) causes less harm than the harm that can result from a professional misleading the client.

And actually what happens is the opposite of what you state-in the auto shop world, it's not uncommon for them to make or suggest repairs on things that may wear out soon (ie in the next year) but are not needed, which is done to increase profit. Sp even if you don't need tires for another year, they poimt out the tread ware and tire sales and the dangers of not replacing tires.

I'm well read and have been around long enough, thankfully, to recognize this may happen with all services when there is an incentive to make profit.

I made a terrible analogy- I am really sorry. And I dont think this is about convincing at all. But I thought about what you said and I see your point. I am kind of ashamed that I didnt stop and hit the pause button because I have had a few experiences with doctors like this. Going to one back and forth trying to get to the bottom of something and not getting listened to and then paying my copay and being sent on my way. Please accept my apology for arguing with you. I need to remember to not let my typing hands run away from my thinking mind.

no worries. i just thought i needed to get my point across better, that's all.

I completely agree with the notion that claiming someone's services are magical and mysterious upfront is often much better than claiming it is all evidence-based and comes from their elevated knowledge, wisdom, whatever. I think many people who sell questionable services manage to do that because they are able to convince the targets that they stand on a higher ground and have access to superior insights. Even the mere fact of making such claims is often a sign of insecurity and manipulation, IMO.

I like the analogy of the car mechanic who would charge and execute a certain service that has nothing or little to do with the problem... then of course the problem persists. I think both the fads and the so-called well-trained, professional providers in mental health often do this... they take on a client and then create a parallel universe where they project their favorite approach onto the client, whether it fits or not, and convince the client to stay and follow because eventually it will be beneficial. It often involves (implicit or explicit) claims that they have achieved good contentment, are especially professional, ethical, wise, caring, spiritual, whatever. I think if someone has a need to assert these things, it is more likely a sign of a lot of insecurities and shadiness more than anything else. I personally trust much more someone who just describes the services and does not add claims about their extraordinary experiences and wisdom to it. If something is effective, it will speak for itself usually. But many of the insecure providers become very defensive as soon as something seems to contradict or challenge them or their favorite beliefs. I definitely had experiences like that with people who provide completely practical services as well such as repairs, cleaning etc - you criticize it or just express a different view, then they become very defensive and often don't even recognize it. Of course fields like mental health services allow a lot more room for that given that there is really no easy and straightforward way to measure the outcome. This is why I prefer when they at least openly acknowledge that a lot of it is beliefs and magical thinking than anything else.