Fast Food Therapy: The Pros and Cons of Online Mental Health Platforms

In this episode of Wicked Psychotherapists, hosts Tanya and Erin discuss the rising trend of online mental health platforms. 

They outline the pros and cons of these services, including their accessibility, efficiency, and potential ethical concerns. 

Topics covered include the importance of vetting platforms, potential data privacy issues, and the suitability of these services for various mental health needs. 

The hosts emphasize the importance of research and consideration for both clients and therapists thinking about utilizing these platforms.

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Transcript

0:08

You are listening to Wicked Psychotherapists, a podcast where two psychotherapists show you that taking care of and learning about mental health doesn't have to be wicked hard. Hi, everyone. This is Tanya. Hi, this is Erin and welcome to Wicked Psychotherapist. Yes, we are. I'm sorry. I'm experiencing a little bit of a giggle attack because we were just talking about today is when we're recording as Eclipse Day and Erin just said total eclipse of the heart and then that song just launched into my head. So Tanya is very excited. She's in an area that she can see more or not see more of the eclipse because it'd be a little darker than where I am. Yeah. Yeah, we're recording on April 8th. So, yeah, it's exciting. I'm excited for it. But today we are not talking about that. We are talking about online mental health platforms that have cropped up all over the internet and just talking about some of the, maybe the pros and maybe some of the not pros or cons, as some would like to say. You know, and kind of, if they want to be fancy about it, but. I, it may you know, I think there's some good sides and there's some downsides and we are, obviously we're not going to be naming any specific platforms, but we are just going to be talking about different aspects of different platforms that we've read about and we've heard about and just our perspective on it. So let's get into it. What, you know, in, in terms of all these platforms, it's really been cropping up kind of all over the place. You hear them on ads. If you listen to podcasts, there's a lot of ads for them. There's a lot of ads on social media. You know, and it's very appealing because we know that there's a rise in need for mental health services, but there's also a lack of mental health services being available to everyone. Right. So I think this probably cropped up because we were noticing you know, as a trend, there's people saying, Oh, there's a need here. And so people will fill that market. Some of these platforms have promised kind of, you know, quick appointments appointments that you can pay a flat fee or a subscription rate you know, different kind of things that may or may not be appealing to people. And, you know, being able to get an appointment the next day, as opposed to waiting three months on a wait list for a private practice therapist is probably appealing. You know, and I would say that does meet a need and maybe might go along with the philosophy of anything is better than nothing. Right. However, there can be some danger to some of these platforms or maybe some things that are not maybe as well considered as some other Uh, you know, kind of private practice or community mental health, practices and groups. And that may be the investment and the understanding the input from clinicians themselves in some of these companies. Because what we've been reading about is, there is not a consideration taking into account clinical needs and instead it's kind of more about the efficacy of getting an appointment and that is, that only kind of meets one need. I think you know, some, the need for these platforms kind of up. up rose up, sorry, rose up, rose up from the need to have efficient and, you know, kind of next day therapy because there was such a rise in need for therapy, especially following COVID. But I think it's been kind of on the uptick for a long time, right? And so I think some of these platforms kind of arose from that and we're seeing that, you know, there's a Quick way to get an appointment, which is, you know, a positive. You can like, usually sometimes some platforms will say next day or in that week, which is, you know, instead of being on a wait list for private practice or kind of other counseling center, uh, for a couple of months or whatever it is. So that's definitely a positive. Uh, but there's some other kind of caveats to some of these platforms, right. That we've noticed. Are there some things that, that you've noticed that are, you know, positives, negatives that you want to discuss, Erin? Yeah, so I have also noticed an uptick with these type of on, I don't know if it's all online therapy or Like you, you dubbed it, you were, we were talking earlier when we were first thinking of this episode that we'd like, almost like fast food therapy. Yeah. You schedule it and then you could see a therapist that day or the next day. And I have seen a increase and I think it has been more so since maybe more known since around COVID and things. But I don't know. If it's, you know, if it's more needed, or if people are just having more of the conversations about mental health. Also, some insurance companies have been more open with covering mental health services. But a lot of these services, some of them that I'm thinking of, I don't think they're always insurance based. I think a lot of them are subscription based or self pay based, and it might be I do see a lot of the pros and cons of it, where It, there is a benefit because people can do it from home, they can schedule right away, but there's also it feels like there's less connection with the client and therapist in a lot of these because You might not be seeing them if it's text based or email based, and it's, it might feel a little, I don't know, inauthentic. Yeah, I'm just thinking something, it's just a little different. Yeah, it definitely can, if you, like, it's, and one of the main tenets of therapy and therapists and clients is to establish a rapport, right? So right off the bat, that's a little tough. There's also the fact that, you know, the setup of the particular online platform, and we're not talking about online therapy with a therapist in like private practice or at a counseling center, we're talking about these particular platforms that, you know, I think you're well aware of, you know, if they're kind of, listed, you've probably heard ads for them and things like that. Again, we're not going to name them, but you know which ones they are. And I think the setup of it is really important for people to research and to see because there's a lot of things that are to be considered, like, yes, it is efficient, it is fast however, is there input from clinicians, from, uh, people that, that do understand what is needed? Is it, uh, set up ethically?

erin: 6:42

I was thinking with the accessibility is sometimes people who wouldn't normally be able to go to therapy, whether they're in a rural setting or maybe socio economical or, you know, just don't have access or even with work, sometimes it's difficult to leave work in order to go to therapy with these different platforms. Sometimes it makes it a little bit easier. I know we were calling it almost like the fast food of therapy. But I think that kind of what it is because it is accessible to all so people are able to Almost get it whether they, you know, would have in the past. So you don't have to traditional therapy. I know when I would go to therapy myself, like when I had a therapist that was in person, if you're going from work or after work, it's sometimes like an hour driving there or a half hour driving there. You're, you 60 minutes, then whatever time it is to commute back to work or back home. So that's a lot of time where if you're doing these online platforms or the ones on the app or however they work, you're not really taking as much time out of your day. Maybe you're taking just the 60 minutes or the 52 minutes, but you're not worrying about travel. And then a lot of these platforms, they do have the therapists reach out Through text or email or whatever else throughout the week in between sessions, which a lot of people really like.

tanya: 8:12

Yeah, that is true. And I definitely, I want to make a distinction that we're not talking about you know, therapy through like a private practice therapist that is online. We're talking about specifically about these. Kind of platforms these apps that have popped up, you know, like that's kind of specifically what this is about because there is Online therapy that has been made available. And I think we did talk about that in another You know, like just online therapy, I believe in another Episode but we're talking specifically about just the apps themselves. But yeah, certainly, you know making it easier just for accessibility. And then also the support in between is, you know, that, that has been shown to be pretty helpful. Yeah, that's definitely something that I think is definitely a plus on that. You know, I do have to say, I think that there has been some difficulties with, in terms of some of these online. platforms and I'm not saying, you know, which ones, but there has been a question of some data being sold. And so there, that's also something to consider. You know, that some of these, platforms are if there's, you know, kind of a marketing component to it, then usually there is something in there that, that involves, you know, kind of, some sort of privacy statement involving your data. And so whether they sell it or they don't and they may put it as, you know, like, Oh, it's just your name and your email address and things like that. But if you think about it in therapy, that's supposed to be. Protected information, PHI, protected health information, no matter what. So it, it is a little bit it's conflicting and it's tough because then that kind of gets into a whole different realm on privacy and you know, understanding those rights. So that is also something to consider because that definitely was. You know, talked about with some of those apps. And I think what we're just trying to say is to just be aware of these things, you know, understand these things because this can go into it. You know, we're now entering a territory where some of these. These apps that we use on our phones, a lot of them that are quote unquote free are, you know, they're making their money from being able to sell your data. I'm not saying all of them, but a lot of them. Yeah, and what they're doing on the

erin: 10:34

background or whatever else is happening.

tanya: 10:37

Yeah, and so, you know, if some of these mental health platforms, if that's kind of a similar model it's, uh, Yeah. It's something to consider because that is not going to necessarily stop. I think some people think oh, it's therapy They'll take into account all these things that we have taken into account for therapy but it's not necessarily so you really have to check in, you know, who's developing this. Is it just tech people are, you know, do clinical people have any say in this? You know, is there any kind of research involved in this? Are there any studies, you know, types of things? Because, you know, That is really important to know. I think people hear the word therapy or mental health and platform, and they just think it's kind of official and it's been approved through somewhere. That's a, that's something to really look at because you do want to check in how your privacy is being your private information is being used if at all, and also how this is developed if there is because if you have, say a platform that involves. Uh, you know, a theoretical perspective of, you know, you need this much time, or you need these types of resources and tools to have this consideration, if that's not understood clinically, And the tech team or the tech people that are building that don't take that into consideration in setting up the platform. Right. That's not going to be a good user experience. Right. And so, you know, it may take quite a few iterations or that platform may not take that into account. I've heard from some people that the clients get kind of upset and may think that's on the therapist, but the therapist is also having to work with the platform as well. And you know, that's something that I would say for clinicians to, you know, check out if that is something that they themselves would like to work within. Sometimes it can be really hard to on, for both clinicians and. And you know, people that are trying to access the platforms. So, you know, I think there was a good quote about, uh, I think it was from the American Psychological Association that said it was from an article 2024 it said, How are you building mental health tools or mental health care without mental health conditions? You don't see companies building a pacemaker without cardiologists. Yeah. So Jessica L. Jackson, PhD, licensed psychologist and chair of AP's mental health technology advisory committee. So. That's something to take into consideration. I really think a lot of times some of the advertising that may pop up, you know, people may see, oh, do you need help? You know, this is how much our platform has proven or helped people. There's testimonials. And so people think that's official, but there's other things to consider. To consider yeah, and

erin: 13:13

just that quote. It's like a lot of other platforms or other things would have experts Consult with them about this and a lot of these Tech, mental health businesses or programs don't always consult with the mental health community while they're developing it.

tanya: 13:32

Yeah it's definitely, you know, not something that, uh, and you may not know how to go about, you know, getting help. You may just say, I just need help and this is right there, you know, and I want to try it out, but that's just something for consideration, you know, we can't say if that. If that works for you or if it doesn't but again, we've gone through some of the things that as clinicians what we have to abide by ethically and the things that we instill in our private practice. So those are things that do have a structure, do have a guideline, do have that kind of I think foothold in what is considered ethics and, in therapy. I don't know that some of these platforms or apps, I don't know, you know, it's kind of, it may or it may not be. That's something you have to do research into. So, you know, and there's with the marketing aspect when, you know, all of a sudden mental health becomes a marketable type of, uh, deal. It's very much, you know, kind of that you know, kind of company. That is driving the mission statement, that's driving the way things are done, how information is protected or not protected, that you really, Want to you know, look into and say, you know, that basically anybody who has any desire to start up a, an app that say is mental health related. I mean, you could, if you have enough funds and the means to do so, you can do that, right? And you can advertise and market it, which whichever way you want. So that doesn't necessarily mean that it's something that's ethical, something that's proven. You know, you just, you really want to, you want to check into those conditions.

erin: 15:11

So just because it's, you see it advertised on social media or something like that doesn't always mean that it's, the best for you. It might be, but still try to do your research just to make sure it aligns with what you need and what you want, too.

tanya: 15:28

Yeah, and I really, I think that goes for both people seeking out therapy and providers certainly we've heard stories, we know of things, we've read about things, you know, we've heard from people where, you know, a particular platform to work for, we may say, oh, that's, that sounds good, that's convenient, that works for us, and then we join it, and it may not be, you know, the case there may be some things that ethically or not are kind of gray areas that you know you're all of a sudden thinking oh wait and then the pay may be a different kind of scale than you were thinking and again that may not you know keep too many people in mind. too many therapists there. And it's so strange to me because I have heard from clients who, you know, come to me and say they have tried some of these platforms. They will immediately say the therapists aren't good there. And I really want to point out that it, you really have to look at the platform in order to say that, because you can't have. I mean, you certainly, you can have some really good therapists, but you're probably not going to retain them with a model like that, right? You know, where it's not working for them and it's actually quite I don't know it's somewhat exploiting, exploiting them. So, I don't really think that, that's something that would keep too many therapists at least not happy. So. Uh, you know, I do think that those are definite considerations and are there other things that you think maybe people should consider or look at or things that are maybe not really talked about with some of these platforms?

erin: 16:51

Yeah, I think you covered a lot of it with the security of the breaches that seem to happen sometimes. You know, I guess I would question too of how some of these therapists are getting vetted, like what the, you know, I assume that most of them are licensed in these different platforms because, you know, like if you look at them, they say they are. So I assume that they probably are going through that where you want to make sure you're using a platform or an app where they do make sure that the therapists are licensed and licensed in the state that You reside in, or where you're at because then you could have some ethical issues as well, because then they're not able to practice or to help you if they're just serving everywhere and they're not licensed in the state that you're located in.

tanya: 17:44

Yeah, it's, it, that's a huge liability for the providers to consider. I will say this I did a while back, I actually, this just. popped in my head. I did apply to a platform that promised to, you know, I could see clients. It was kind of something that I was just using to supplement, or I thought I would use it to supplement. I did not start with this company. With just different types of therapy. I thought the model of therapy was pretty good. I thought the, uh, you know, I was kind of iffy on the clinical you know, informative kind of nature of the of the setup of the platform. But, uh, the thing that really got to me was when I asked the question and I said, well, we get, you know, it looks like we kind of have inter or not international national. Clients, you know, so how does that I'm only licensed in Massachusetts and. The, in case anyone doesn't know, we don't have a national licensure, not yet. We're trying to, I think the compact is working on that, but we cannot, unless you have to be individually licensed in different states, you have to apply for them. During COVID there were some kind of, you know, with some states there was a little bit more leeway. Yeah, there, there was

erin: 18:52

some, like if your client went to a different state and maybe stayed there or couldn't get back or. They were given a few months, because I had that happen where a few clients moved, during COVID, and you had to ask the state almost like permission where they were like, okay, yeah, you can do this for six months or three months or whatever long it is. But then after that, you'd have to try to get license, which I didn't. I just ended up you know, had to discharge the clients after that time period.

tanya: 19:19

yeah, because it's a pro, it's a long process and it can be an expensive process for each state. So it's not an easy, just kind of say like, Oh, I just want to practice here. I fill out an application. It's a long process for each one, depending. Some of them are nearly impossible if you don't originally have the licensure there what I asked about for that job was I said, you know, how does that work? And they said, well, that's something that you have to consider for your own individual license. And so I immediately was like I'm good. I actually do not want this position. I don't want to go any further because I was like that's not. They are then saying I'm risking my license and they don't care. You have to work within this model, but it's on you, you know, kind of thing. And that's a big thing that I don't, I think needs to be looked out for because again, as even as providers, we may think, oh, well these companies, you know, they're working, they understand how our licensure works. That is not necessarily the case, and that, and I've heard that story more than once. Not just about that, that, about a few different platforms. Yeah.

erin: 20:19

I have too, where they say, where you say, okay, well, I'm licensed in the state, you know, for my, for me, it's, I'm licensed in Florida, and then say okay, we're only going to give you full order clients, then all of a sudden you have to be really aware because they might send you someone from New York or something, and you're like, wait a minute And I don't I can't accept this client because they're not within my license. And, it's not, the company doesn't re doesn't always filter it out for you.

tanya: 20:44

No, they don't. And it, they may actually even require you to, they may say to keep this job, you have to accept all the clients we send to you,

erin: 20:52

but

tanya: 20:52

then you're risking your own licensure. So these things are not all coordinated and connected and it's not looking out for, you know, the therapist's licensure. You have to always look out for your own licensure. I just want that as a message out there because I, on some. you know, some boards that I belong to in terms of like, you know, social media boards or whatever. When I see people talking about different things, some people have definitely posted about this in general and have said, I am choosing not to take this because I, this is like, they're not looking out for us, you know, like, and how can you have that's completely almost like when I asked this person. they didn't really seem to think it was a big deal. And I'm thinking that's my license, that, you know, how hard I worked for that. You know, I haven't even paid off all my student loans for that. And you think I just should do that for your company. Like it was, it's, so that disconnect there is a huge thing. And you also want to be as a client. You know, it's not, it's nothing on you, but say if you know, if I were to see you in Wisconsin or something, and I'm in Massachusetts, if you have an emergency, I may not have, I don't have access to how they handle crises there. I know how to do it in Massachusetts. That's a part of something that I've learned. I'm familiar with and knowing all the laws, what you have to report, what you don't report, et cetera. Those are things that, that could be not, that's not great guidance there, you know, and not good looking out for if you have an emergency or. If you know, need certain things, resources, things you need to be informed on that's also not good for the client. So, just wanted to point that out as well. But yeah I've definitely, I think it's worth taking a look into, you know, and for some people, it may just be that they need something tomorrow. They get someone to talk to, they have a few sessions, they're good. And that's, and that, you know, works for them, whatever that's fine for them. I would say some people with some more complicated issues. How do you think that fares with some of these online platforms? Like in terms of like, maybe they have complex PTSD or maybe they have, you know, some sort of a personality disorder, things like that.

erin: 22:55

I personally don't think that there would do the best in that type of platform. Even myself, when I, cause I do telehealth and. You know, I'm not an app. I'm not on, I'm not one of those platforms. But I do try to refer out for those type of clients, not only because it's out of my scope, but because a lot of them might do better with in person, maybe more intensive, where there is the possibility of other supports available, if they need, if they're in crisis. Where a lot of those apps, you know, you don't really know, Where the person is and like you, you just said, like what what is set up if there is an emergency or you don't, you know, some of them, I'm hoping that all the clients when you use those apps are telling the truth where they're located, but what if they're saying they're located in your state, but they're actually on vacation somewhere else? And then they're in crisis.

tanya: 23:50

Yeah, that's a good point, yeah. And that's really kind of, you know, having a system, having that kind of rapport, which, you know, could be something that could happen with anyone, but when you have more complex diagnoses or personality disorders, There may be, it may be closer at hand more times than not than someone who's just kind of coming in for something acute or, you know, working through a temporary kind of issue you know, just kind of, that's a very vast generalization, but something to consider. And I agree with you and, you know, I do private practice telehealth as well, and it it definitely can be, I think, that, you know, we have to make considerations of, you know, I'm only one single person, like I have my own databases, my own referrals, things like that, but I am just one person. Right. If someone is going to require kind of, you know, more care than that I do have to refer them to another place or another person who has a setup for that. Yeah, same. Yeah. And some of these platforms may not. Some of them may just kind of filter through and not, or not filter through and just send it to the clinician. And then this person is saying, I really need help. And then there they are. And they kind of have to manage that. And they're not, they may not be equipped for that. In terms of like what they have for the, their resources and stuff. there's also those considerations that you know, sometimes I've seen that the advertisements The ads the marketing of some of these online platforms that say, you know, if you're if you know, need help, we can help you kind of thing. And so it, it kind of gears towards a message of anyone can get help here when that you may want to check out, you know, what kind of help is, because it may not be for that complexity. And,

erin: 25:32

and also some of them, like I had mentioned earlier, like a. Convenience factor is like if you have insurance that you might just have to pay your copay or it's covered but some of them Require you to put your insurance your credit card down or some of them have a membership base where they might not take insurance where you might do a monthly fee or you know it and it actually might end up being more expensive than if you were to go to a traditional therapist. So that's something to look into, too, because it may sound like you're saving a lot of money, and it's more convenient, and it's more cost effective, but it also is important to look and see if it really is.

tanya: 26:13

Right. Yeah. So, yeah just good considerations and you know, the point where, you know, seeing if you're okay with your data being sold along with this, that's a big point. And you also brought up breaches as well, if there are breaches for, in data, which I think, I mean, that can happen pretty much anywhere, you know, nowadays but that's also another. Another thing to, to kind of consider, but you know, of course that could be, I think that could go for either side, but the actual. Selling of data is kind of in that initial contract. It's very small print. Nobody ever really reads it, the privacy terms. And they're not saying we're going to sell your data instead. It's set in a different way where basically like, you know, other companies are you're saying that this is okay for other companies to have access to this or something. And it's set in a way that you might not think about. But it is definitely allowing that. Yeah, and it may be

erin: 27:06

worded that you feel as, and it may be worded that you feel like it's more medical, or it's, you know, to help you, you know, in a therapeutic way. But it's not always.

tanya: 27:17

Yeah, you definitely want to check into that because I know going to a traditional there, like a, you know, private practice, something like that, if you are ethically, you know, you should be ethically bound to, that should not that's never something that we could be like, Oh, can we actually, can we, you know, I actually need to make some extra money. Could you just sign right here so that I can, you know, just give your Gmail address or, you know, whatever. They'd probably look at you like you're crazy and they'd never want to go there. But this is done so slyly and it's done in so many, you know, so many different types of apps. But there is a quote here that I, it's from the Guardian of in February of this year. And it basically says, you know, any company with sufficient funds for marketing can easily enter the market without needing to demonstrate that their app can either keep users engaged or add any value at all. yeah. In particular, Torres criticizes a poor quality of many supposed pilot studies which set the app's performance. Such a low bar for efficacy that the results are virtually meaningless. So, you know, and this is just kind of, you know, one particular case, but this article was pointed to the fact that, you know, anybody can kind of start up some of these apps and it doesn't really have to prove effective. You can just kind of have a business from this and you don't have to consider any of these tenants that we all associate with mental health therapy. Oh, they have to do this. They have to keep my information private. Well, this is now a different realm in the, you know, technology and these types of apps. Yeah, that's why I like when you, when

erin: 28:45

you're, even when you're downloading an app on any of the, you know, like wherever you get your apps, whether you have Apple or, you know, Android or whatever, you want to You know, cause sometimes they will say like, you know, like we'll sell data or, you know, whatever it's, so you always want to make sure things are secure and very secure. You really want to make sure things are secure if you're using the app for your mental health.

tanya: 29:08

Right, right. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think that's one of the basic tenants is, you know, again, I just try to picture going to a doctor and, you know, that there being something where you're signing this privacy notice that says, Oh yeah, we can. We can sell your email or this or that to this, uh, pharmaceutical company because you know, you don't mind, right? You know, kind of thing and, you know, shooting off your information. I mean, you'd be, I think a lot of people would be outraged by that, but this is, this can be the case with some of these, you know, now technologically based mental health apps. So really be careful in distinguishing that. You know, so, and again, we're not saying that there's, uh, apps out there or platforms that are not really good and helpful and these are just things for you to consider that maybe are kind of in the fine print and things that maybe are not. And there

erin: 29:59

are some, there's some that are like amazing and really help people and, you know, but then there are a couple that you're like, uh, are they kind of skirt in the line

tanya: 30:10

of ethics? Bye. Yes, and I know we have talked about that, and we are not going to say that, but yes, we definitely have some opinions on that so it's, uh, yeah, so just something to consider for you all, and providers as well, if you're listening, if you're considering working for some of these platforms as well there's no absolutes, it's just kind of ideas. Yes, and another really

erin: 30:34

good benefit for providers is if they. are trying to start a private practice or they want to do the online private practice, but they don't really have the tools to start their own business. So a lot of them go to these apps or these different types of companies because it is convenient because you're given you're given all these clients and you don't have to do the marketing, you don't have to have your own medical records or you know, like medical rec for platform or anything they provide it for you. So that's very appealing to a lot of people and it is probably helpful for the therapist just trying to figure out is this what I want to do.

tanya: 31:17

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I totally I think we've known a lot of people who have done that in transition or just are doing that or, you know, kind of do that just to kind of, you know, move along in terms of, you know, maybe there's some dry spells in the private practice or you're trying to take a pause and kind of trying to do something where you're not lifting everything, you know, in the private practice. Totally understandable. It's just, you just want to do your research. That's all. You know, and just kind of know what it is you're working with so that you yourself are protected, you can feel good about that and you know, where you're working and kind of the modality that you're working in because that. That's just something that is, it's going to definitely become apparent and, you know, will you know, affect the way you want to work within it as well. So yeah, some really good considerations. But, you know, I think those are. Any other thoughts, kind of, on the pros or the cons, or?

erin: 32:08

Well, I was just thinking, I don't know if it's a pro or a con, but you really, in those type of platforms, a lot of times you can't really pick who you want to see. So a lot of the, you know, in, in private practice, you get to pick your niche, or your niche, or whatever, however you say it. But I heard that in a lot of those platforms, it's like, okay, well, you're going to see me. This person with this issue or this like so for instance in my practice my private practice I just see women and you know different issues and but so they might throw some men or throw some teens But usually they do have the age range. So I don't see teens I just tend to see adults, you know, I might see some male or and see some other Concerns that I don't normally treat. So the So that's something to think about too. Do they have a clause that you're allowed to say you don't want to see that client and have them refer it to somebody else? That would be important for me.

tanya: 33:02

Yeah, that's absolutely that's such a good point because yeah, you can't, in, in your private practice, you know, you can kind of tailor that towards, okay, this is who I work best with, and advertise it as such. Some of these platforms, they may allow you to make like a, an employee, uh, or whatever, like a database, a profile. And you probably can choose some, like specialties or whatever, but. I mean, I don't know, it depends on how specific that gets or not, you may not have as much say in that, you know, so that, that may be something that you know, that, that can be definitely, you know, really helpful. It's not just a matter of like desire of wanting to work with it. It's what your skill base is in too, you know? So it's almost if a doctor kind of was like, Oh, I'm usually a cardiologist, but like, they're kind of help having me just see. You know, kind of whatever. I mean, definitely, I don't think we're as, you know, specialized, you know, that it wouldn't be as extreme anywhere near, but you know, it's it definitely, I think, serves the client and the provider much better if they can kind of choose to go to someone who usually works with that population or those issues or difficulties. Yeah, but yeah, so we, we hope you enjoyed this, episode on mental health platforms. Something to keep in mind and consider. Uh, leave us some comments. Let us know if you have suggestions for future episodes. We love to hear about that. Any, anything that you are thinking don't forget to follow us on Instagram at wicked psychotherapists on Facebook, we are the wicked psychotherapists and subscribe. Follow us anywhere. You can, uh, listen to podcasts. And don't forget to write us a review. Yes. A good one. Yeah. You know, That sounded menacing.

erin: 34:46

I was

tanya: 34:46

like, a good one.

erin: 34:48

You don't want the one, you don't want the one star. Yeah.

tanya: 34:51

You know, we don't really want if you're going to think of that, then maybe not write a review, but you know, no, that's just the world of, you know, reviews. Algorithms and, yeah.

erin: 35:00

That's just part of it. And tell your friends, like we, Yeah. Seem to be getting like some weeks. We're getting a couple more listeners. So definitely share it with people.

tanya: 35:09

Yeah, and you know people that are interested in therapy Psychology mental health people that are in the field people that just are interested in general But yeah for sure and don't forget stay wicked and keep your mind. Well, bye guys. We'll see you next week All right. Okay. Bye. Bye

35:28

We Wish You a Merry Christmas And, uh, I don't know.