[AliceKate]

I read someone saying that in the Can my therapist find me on here thread and am wondering if that is true.

[*Beth*]

The problem with "ethical" or "unethical" is that circumstances can have an influence. For example, let's say a regular, reliable client suddenly doesn't show up for his usual therapy session. The second time it happens the therapist is concerned. So she looks into the client's records and sees there is no emergency contact. Because she is concerned she googles his name, hoping to find his phone number or maybe work place so she can inquire as to his well-being.

I would not call that unethical.

But my very own opinion? I've learned that in this year of 2022 and henceforth, it is smart for anyone doing any kind of professional work with someone - and even someone considering a prospective friendship or date - to google the person.

[AliceKate]

Me too. I guess I would think googeling for information that is publicly disclosed is okay, searching for someone's activity on a forum such as this would be more questionnable.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by AliceKate

Me too. I guess I would think googeling for information that is publicly disclosed is okay, searching for someone's activity on a forum such as this would be more questionnable.

I agree.

[LonesomeTonight]

I asked my T once, and he said he'd never google a client and certainly wouldn't look for one on a forum like this or, say, Facebook.

[Rive.]

I assume that 'someone' is me?!

Ts should only ever 'use' information clients give them in session. Searching for additional info that a client may not want them to know or disclose is closer to snooping on a client - which is not ethical. Clients have the right to choose what they want to share with a T.

Prior to starting therapy, Ts get the client's info + emergency contact if needed. So there is is no need to go behind the client's back.

[Nammu]

Funny many people on here have no problem with googling their T, but Ts aren’t supposed to google them? why is that?

[Salmon77]

I don't think it's a big deal to google someone out of curiosity, as long as that's all it is. But a real deep dive seems inappropriate.

[AliceKate]

Originally Posted by Rive.

I assume that 'someone' is me?!

I don't know. Please don't take it personal, I don't make a point of checking who wrote what.

[Rive.]

Funny many people on here have no problem with googling their T, but Ts aren’t supposed to google them? why is that?

Because Ts have to adhere to ethical and professional standards of practice inherent to the profession, clients don't.

[ArtleyWilkins]

. . . but is there an official ethics standard for this? Or is it just another of those ill-defined, nebulous, gray areas that still exists around technology and social media as it pertains to therapy?

I'm guessing it is still in that gray area from everything that I can find.

Personally, it wouldn't particularly matter to me if a provider googled me. I know what is out there and it isn't anything they wouldn't know already.

As far as this particular website goes . . . I never shared that I post here; it wasn't particularly relevant to what I was doing in therapy so it just wasn't an issue. I wasn't one to post about my current therapy sessions, etc. anyway.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by ArtleyWilkins

. . . but is there an official ethics standard for this? Or is it just another of those ill-defined, nebulous, gray areas that still exists around technology and social media as it pertains to therapy?

I'm guessing it is still in that gray area from everything that I can find.

Personally, it wouldn't particularly matter to me if a provider googled me. I know what is out there and it isn't anything they wouldn't know already.

As far as this particular website goes . . . I never shared that I post here; it wasn't particularly relevant to what I was doing in therapy so it just wasn't an issue. I wasn't one to post about my current therapy sessions, etc. anyway.

For me, I think it would be weird if I found out long after the fact. Like if months later, my T was like, "Oh, yeah, I've been reading your posts on MySupportForums" (I still want to call it PC!). Or "I've been looking at your Facebook posts" (which he couldn't really do because of my settings, but anyway). As he'd have information about me and what I was feeling that I wasn't aware of.

It's almost as if, say, he were talking to my husband or my friend about me without my knowing it.

[AliceKate]

My T did google me (obviously didn't find this place). He told me in our second session. I don't mind. I might mind if he read my posts here.

[ScarletPimpernel]

L and T wouldn't look me up. 1. They wouldn't have the time. 2. There's no need. I'm already open and honest with them about everything. 3. I have shared some of my forum threads with them especially if I feel they could benefit from other's perspectives.

[LonesomeTonight]

Oh, and reading an advice column in Slate just made me think of another potential issue with a T googling a client--what if something they find isn't about the actual client, but someone else with the same name?


For my maiden name (which isn't that common), I had a second cousin given the exact same name as me (same first, middle, and last). I googled my maiden name recently, and some stuff with her being arrested for various things showed up. What if my T had googled me and wondered why I never told him about, say, my shoplifting arrests? That could be a case where he assumes he has knowledge about me, but...it's not actually me!

[ArtleyWilkins]

I think there is a tendency to overestimate the therapists' curiosity about us beyond the therapy session . . .

[AliceKate]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Oh, and reading an advice column in Slate just made me think of another potential issue with a T googling a client--what if something they find isn't about the actual client, but someone else with the same name?


For my maiden name (which isn't that common), I had a second cousin given the exact same name as me (same first, middle, and last). I googled my maiden name recently, and some stuff with her being arrested for various things showed up. What if my T had googled me and wondered why I never told him about, say, my shoplifting arrests? That could be a case where he assumes he has knowledge about me, but...it's not actually me!

That sounds uncomfortable. And yeah, a T should for sure be aware of that possibility!

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by Nammu

Funny many people on here have no problem with googling their T, but Ts aren’t supposed to google them? why is that?

The therapists are the ones saying it is unethical. So many of them spout such crap. Clients just play in the ball park therapists set up. So it is on their head -not that of a client.

I doubt a therapist would bother to look up a client mostly because of how lazy therapists are rather than from any imagined noble concerns. Clients are not often unique - read through threads without looking at the names and it all blurs together and the same themes come up over and over and over and over and..... I believe therapists saying such idiotic things about ethics is to lie to and manipulate clients rather than those people simply admitting they don't care

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Oh, and reading an advice column in Slate just made me think of another potential issue with a T googling a client--what if something they find isn't about the actual client, but someone else with the same name?


For my maiden name (which isn't that common), I had a second cousin given the exact same name as me (same first, middle, and last). I googled my maiden name recently, and some stuff with her being arrested for various things showed up. What if my T had googled me and wondered why I never told him about, say, my shoplifting arrests? That could be a case where he assumes he has knowledge about me, but...it's not actually me!

The same is true for a client googling a T.

[ArtleyWilkins]

. . . but it is clients here saying it is unethical (unless I am mistaken).

I agree though that I doubt many therapists are taking much time out of their lives to search their clients -- I honestly don't think they are that curious.

[stopdog]

As I read it, it was referring to a post on another thread that stated "it is against the code of ethics..." and stated that the poster had to block her own clients. So it appeared as though written by someone who identifies as a therapist of some sort.
I have read countless posts where people have indicated the therapist themselves told the client it would be against their ethics. Granted - I don't believe therapists actually care one whit about ethics but they do seem the over-use the phrase to protect themselves from clients.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by stopdog

As I read it, it was referring to a post on another thread that stated "it is against the code of ethics..." and stated that the poster had to block her own clients. So it appeared as though written by someone who identifies as a therapist of some sort.
I have read countless posts where people have indicated the therapist themselves told the client it would be against their ethics. Granted - I don't believe therapists actually care one whit about ethics but they do seem the over-use the phrase to protect themselves from clients.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by Nammu

The same is true for a client googling a T.

Good point! Both my former marriage counselor and ex-T had very common names (both first and last), so they were much more difficult to Google. My current T has a fairly uncommon last name (very common first one), but he shares his name with an orthopedist who's one state away. So I need to pay attention if, say, I'm looking at doctor ratings that it's the right person!

[Mountaindewed]

I moved last year so obviosuly my old address is on zillow and redfin and I'd love it if my transference T (and plenty of other people) had googled my old address to see what my house looked like. Yeah I know thats a bit creepy. She'd be suprised to see some things in the pictures I've never told her about. I don't know if this is just wishful thinking or not. It could be or maybe she legit did it. I kinda wouldn't put it past her if I'm being honest. My pdoc would never do it though.

I do know she blocked me on Facebook so she has looked me up before. I've mentioned that to my other therapists and they said it was wrong of her to be looking me up in the first place even if it was to block me.

[ScarletPimpernel]

If you looked her up, it could have suggested you as a friend and then she blocked you...

And if you wanted someone to see the place you live, why not share pictures? I do that with T and L.