Has anyone else noticed the sheer volume of "relationship advice" websites on the internet?? How does a consumer wade through the information of relationship professionals and those who are not relationship professionals but are calling them "experts," "specialists," "gurus," and "coaches" (unless they truly are coaches but this gets a little murky because it's my understanding that there's nothing stopping from anyone calling themselves a "coach" either regardless of whether they've received that type of training.) All of this is starting to bug me and I wonder if the consumer is at all bugged too? Maybe people don't notice? Or maybe I'm simply frustrated that it's more difficult for me to get my voice heard. Perhaps.
One of the most fun I've had in my therapy work in recent years is being able to write about my thoughts about the work, specific counseling areas I have knowledge and over time and offering advice to people who have e-mailed me. I enjoy providing resources that people can really use and help that is practical and easy to implement.
I've been doing supplemental mental health and relationship writing to my therapy practice for a number of years now and wow, have times changed. I can't help but having noticed the sheer volume of "stuff." It used to be easier to have my voice heard - but with the sheer inundation of real experts (licensed, trained) and people with no relationship training - but rather marketing and search engine optimization backgrounds, I'm afraid it's forever tainted the internet mental health and relationship "help" world.
For those seeking mental health information, the good news is I think it's less problematic in that arena where there are more legitimate resources by licensed professionals offering their wisdom - and fewer "dodgier" sites. It's the "relationship help" side (which is the meat of my profession as a Marriage and Family Therapist) that feels crowded out by more questionable content.
When you're looking at a "relationship site" I encourage you to figure out who the site belongs to and what their background is. Are the articles by them? Is there no place where you can find who is behind this "slick machine?" I would be suspicious. It's not to say that people who don't specific relationship training might not have some wisdom to share - I just think it's good practice to do your due diligence - especially if they are also trying to sell you some kind of relationship tool or book or item. It's all about due diligence but I understand how it can be easy to make the assumption that the relationship site has credibility. A website can look beautiful and slick but lack credible content.
So - for anyone looking for any good resources for mental health, therapy, counseling or relationship related topics - here is a mini resources list (with mine among them of course) where you will no doubt find what you're looking for from qualified, trained professionals who either have done therapy work with people themselves in the past or do so now (as myself).
The Toolbox: Mental Health, Relationships, Therapy, Counseling at LisaKiftTherapy.comUnderstand, Prevent and Resolve Life's Challenges at www.helpguide.orgTools for Coping With Life's Stressors at www.coping.org Any thoughts on this topic from seekers of mental health and relationship help/advice, other therapists - or anyone else?
Let's dialogue.
How does a consumer wade through the information of relationship professionals and those who are not relationship professionals but are calling them "experts," "specialists," "gurus," and "coaches" (unless they truly are coaches but this gets a little murky because it's my understanding that there's nothing stopping from anyone calling themselves a "coach" either regardless of whether they've received that type of training.) All of this is starting to bug me and I wonder if the consumer is at all bugged too? Maybe people don't notice? Or maybe I'm simply frustrated that it's more difficult for me to get my voice heard. Perhaps.
One of the most fun I've had in my therapy work in recent years is being able to write about my thoughts about the work, specific counseling areas I have knowledge and over time and offering advice to people who have e-mailed me. I enjoy providing resources that people can really use and help that is practical and easy to implement.
I've been doing supplemental mental health and relationship writing to my therapy practice for a number of years now and wow, have times changed. I can't help but having noticed the sheer volume of "stuff." It used to be easier to have my voice heard - but with the sheer inundation of real experts (licensed, trained) and people with no relationship training - but rather marketing and search engine optimization backgrounds, I'm afraid it's forever tainted the internet mental health and relationship "help" world.
For those seeking mental health information, the good news is I think it's less problematic in that arena where there are more legitimate resources by licensed professionals offering their wisdom - and fewer "dodgier" sites. It's the "relationship help" side (which is the meat of my profession as a Marriage and Family Therapist) that feels crowded out by more questionable content.
When you're looking at a "relationship site" I encourage you to figure out who the site belongs to and what their background is. Are the articles by them? Is there no place where you can find who is behind this "slick machine?" I would be suspicious. It's not to say that people who don't specific relationship training might not have some wisdom to share - I just think it's good practice to do your due diligence - especially if they are also trying to sell you some kind of relationship tool or book or item. It's all about due diligence but I understand how it can be easy to make the assumption that the relationship site has credibility. A website can look beautiful and slick but lack credible content.
So - for anyone looking for any good resources for mental health, therapy, counseling or relationship related topics - here is a mini resources list (with mine among them of course) where you will no doubt find what you're looking for from qualified, trained professionals who either have done therapy work with people themselves in the past or do so now (as myself).
The Toolbox: Mental Health, Relationships, Therapy, Counseling at LisaKiftTherapy.com
Understand, Prevent and Resolve Life's Challenges at www.helpguide.org
Tools for Coping With Life's Stressors at www.coping.org
Any thoughts on this topic from seekers of mental health and relationship help/advice, other therapists - or anyone else?
Let's dialogue.