Why You Should Be Cautious of Mental Health Practices with Excessive Reviews
In today's world, online reviews influence almost every decision we make—from where we eat to which services we choose. However, when it comes to mental health care, the presence of numerous glowing reviews for a therapist or a practice may not be the reassuring sign you think it is. In fact, it could be a red flag.
Therapists Cannot Solicit Reviews
Licensed mental health professionals are bound by strict ethical guidelines that prohibit them from soliciting testimonials or reviews from clients, both current and former. This rule is in place to protect the therapeutic relationship, maintain client confidentiality, and avoid any undue influence or coercion.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, therapists cannot ask clients to leave reviews or endorsements. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) also plays a role, as any public acknowledgment of a client-therapist relationship could be a violation of confidentiality.
Simply put: If a therapist or mental health practice has a disproportionately high number of online reviews, it is worth questioning how they obtained them.
More Reviews ≠ Better Therapy
In most cities, you’ll notice that reputable therapy practices have only a handful of online reviews—if any. That’s because ethical therapists do not, and legally cannot, encourage clients to leave feedback in public spaces.
On the other hand, if a mental health office has dozens or even hundreds of reviews, especially in comparison to other practices in the same area, it raises concerns about whether they are engaging in illegal solicitation of reviews. This is a direct violation of professional ethics and calls into question their overall commitment to ethical practice.
What This Means for You
If you are searching for a therapist, be mindful that the best therapists often have little to no online reviews—not because they lack skill or experience, but because they prioritize ethics and client confidentiality over self-promotion.
Instead of relying on reviews, consider other ways to find a reputable therapist:
Ask for referrals from trusted professionals, friends, or family.
Check licensing boards to verify credentials and look for any disciplinary actions.
Look at their professional website to understand their approach and expertise.
Schedule a consultation to assess whether their style aligns with your needs.
Final Thoughts
Therapists who respect ethical boundaries will not ask for or encourage online testimonials. If you see a practice with an unusually high number of reviews, consider it a warning sign rather than a mark of quality. Ethical therapists let their work speak for itself—not their Google ratings.