When The Trolls Attack
A Deeper Threat to Competent Mental Health Care
Back in February, I endured an investigation by my state licensing board for a complaint registered against me, claiming that simply discussing the use of SSRIs was practicing beyond the scope my license. Back then I wrote: “The frivolous complaint will likely be quickly dismissed, but this incident highlights a disturbing trend: the burgeoning wellness industry’s increasingly aggressive attempts to discredit competent licensed mental health professionals.”
As I thought, the complaint was summarily addressed and I received a formal letter that the state attorney general has officially closed the matter, but the experience underscored a larger, more troubling trend. The rise of online trolls and fake reviews has become a persistent threat to our professional integrity as mental health providers. I recently received a message from a clinical director highlighting this very issue, as our organization, which serves large metropolitan areas, is increasingly targeted by individuals leaving fraudulent reviews of professionals and organizations providing services despite never having been clients.
This isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a serious issue that affects how we deliver competent professional care. These malicious actions can erode trust and create an environment of unwarranted doubt for our suffering neighbors seeking help. As licensed mental health professionals, our focus should be on providing safe competent care, not on defending our reputations against baseless attacks.
Key Takeaways:
Targeting Professionals: The wellness industry and online trolls pose a growing threat to the credibility of licensed mental health professionals who’ve dedicated their lives to helping others.
Malicious Intent: Fake reviews and frivolous complaints from “keyboard commandos” are often used to undermine professionals and the organizations they work for.
Eroding Trust: These actions can harm a competent professional’s reputation and make it harder for people suffering to find solid reliable mental health care.
This is a serious issue that demands our attention. We must remain vigilant and continue to advocate for the integrity of our profession against these challenging and often baseless attacks. The conversation starts here.
If you’ve experienced something similar, or have thoughts on how we can better protect ourselves and the people we serve, I would love to hear from you…
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I’m sorry you had to go through that. Even to get notification that a complaint has been filed is scary. Frivolous or not, it’s anxiety-provoking for clinicians. I’ve seen several therapists online talk about the number of complaints made to their licensing boards and it’s over silly things like a joke, a complaint about insurance rates or even their thoughts on politics. We’ve entered a weird time where being public and having both thoughts and a license are a dangerous combination. I appreciate you writing about this!