Therapy News

As mental health therapists, we have an ethical responsibility to be inclusive and welcoming to all clients. People of all abilities, religions, sexual orientations, countries of origin, races and genders should feel comfortable, supported and at peace in our care. And while most, if not all, therapists support that statement, potential clients who are visiting our websites may not be able to clearly see that we support every person’s unique self.

TherapyDen, the new and all inclusive therapist directory, is trying to change that. If you sign up for a profile, you’ll be given access to a free badge to post on your website. Displaying the badge on your homepage will signify that you are serious about creating an environment for all. And that you will not deny treatment to anyone based on their ability, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin, race or gender. 

DISCLAIMER: Displaying the badge is not a substitute for actively creating an inclusive and safe environment in your practice. Display the badge AND accept and support all clients.

As a caveat, and as a therapist myself, I feel like it’s important to say that while I don’t discriminate against my clients, I may still refer a client to another provider if I don’t feel competent treating them. For example, if a client wanted to see me to primarily discuss their physical transition from male to female, then I would discuss how I could help them while at the same time providing them with a few referrals to other practitioners in the area that specialize in that specific experience. So while I wouldn’t turn them away, I would feel like it’s my ethical responsibility to refer them to folks who might be a better match. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t display the all-inclusive TherapyDen badge on my website. 

As a therapist if you can not agree to do your very best to create a safe and inclusive space for all potential clients, then you shouldn't sign up for a profile with TherapyDen and you shouldn't display this badge on your website. I understand the irony of not being inclusive to therapists that can’t take this pledge. But it’s important to me and TherapyDen that you don’t create a profile with us if you’re closed-minded and judgmental. Here are a handful of reasons that TherapyDen may not be right for you:

• You believe in gay conversion therapy.
• You believe that “all lives matter.”
• You’re racially colorblind (this might sound nice, but if you believe it then you’re not honoring the unique differences and struggles that people of color experience on a daily basis).
• You believe that everyone has a perfectly equal chance to find peace and success no matter what their skin color is.
• You think racist jokes are fine as long as they are really funny.
• You don’t know what the big deal is about using the word “retarded.”
• You believe that Mexicans coming across the border are mostly rapists and murderers. 
• You don’t believe in white privilege.
• Being gay is a choice.
• Some countries are shit holes.
• Gender neutral bathrooms are dumb.
• There is only one true religion. 
• Sexual orientation is decided at birth and based on your biological gender.

I could go on. And maybe I will another day. But I think you get the idea. If you’re a therapist that supports the rights of all people and you want to show your pride in your inclusive therapy practice, then you should sign up for a profile with TherapyDen. Did I mention it’s free to sign up? Read our FAQ page to learn more about the eventual cost and where we plan to donate 10% of your monthly fee. In the meantime, create a profile, attract ideal clients to your practice, and slap the TherapyDen badge on your website so that clients know that you support them and you don’t discriminate against anyone based on their abilities, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin, race or gender.