Welcome back to TherapyChat! This week, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C speaks out about a major issue affecting those who use online mental health platforms like BetterHelp and others, and how this breach of public trust is likely to impact trauma survivors and anyone who has been abused or marginalized particularly deeply. Laura reminds listeners that we all have a voice, even when learning about abuse, as horrifying as it is, we are not powerless. In this episode Laura goes through the press release, pointing out important parts and offers some suggestions of what those affected can do.    Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, a trauma therapist located in Maryland, United States, who hosts Therapy Chat Podcast, shares important information that consumers who have used BetterHelp and other online mental health platforms need to know. Laura shares information from a press release sent out by the United States Federal Trade Commission regarding reported violations of privacy protections they claimed they would provide. According to the press release, BetterHelp lied to consumers of its services by telling them that their private mental health information would be kept confidential, while they were allegedly selling data gleaned from the consumers to social media companies and others for profit. Laura reviews the press release and explains what consumers can do, including commenting on the Federal Register post when it is made; claiming a portion of the projected $7.8 Million fine which the Federal Trade Commission proposes to impose on the corporation to punish them for their dishonest practices, according to the press release. Laura advocates for consumers to speak with their BetterHelp therapists, consider contacting attorneys regarding what legal rights they may have to hold BetterHelp accountable for these unethical actions alleged in the press release.   Laura's offering a FREE community call for therapists who working with BetterHelp to hold space for grief, anger, and action. Get more information about this on Laura's Instagram here.   Link to FTC press release: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/ftc-ban-betterhelp-revealing-consumers-data-including-sensitive-mental-health-information-facebook  

Link to full proposed consent order: https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/202_3169-betterhelp-consent.pdf

Link to full proposed consent order

Link to FTC blog with more details: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/03/ftc-says-online-counseling-service-betterhelp-pushed-people-handing-over-health-information-broke? 

Link to Federal Register https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/current 

Therapists, registration is now open to the waiting list for Trauma Therapist Network membership. We now have new membership levels and options for Group Practice Owners and Canadian therapists! Get the details and join the waiting list to receive a registration link for early access and a special discount offer: https://go.traumatherapistnetwork.com/join ! What is TTN? Go here to check it out!   In partnership with the Academy of Therapy Wisdom, I'm excited to invite you to a free webinar offered by my colleague, Juliane Taylor Shore. Jules is a gifted therapist who likes to geek out on neuroscience and then share it in ways that therapists can understand and apply. She’ll do just that in this webinar on Memory Reconsolidation for Anxiety. Register here for free!   Therapists - Attend a free webinar presented by Dr. Janina Fisher. In this recorded webinar, Healing the Shame of our Fragmented Selves, Janina will address helping clients who struggle with shame and self-loathing.    As a special gift, when you register for the free webinar, you’ll also get access to two one-hour trainings from Dr. Fisher so you can learn the foundation of her Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment model right away.   Therapists - get free trainings on Energy Work and Spirituality with trauma survivors from Dr. Frank Anderson and save on his training when you register here!   Have you heard about Psychotherapy Networker Symposium? This annual conference is held in Washington DC (March 16-19 this year) and features all of the well known and most loved names in the psychotherapy world, including several previous Therapy Chat guests. You can attend virtually or online and hear from recent Therapy Chat guests Dr. Stacey Freedenthal, Dr. Mona Delahooke, Dr. Janina Fisher, Lori Gottleib, Dr. Dick Schwartz, Dr. Leslie Korn, Dr. Jamie Marich, Lisa Ferentz, Deb Dana....along with many other teachers I deeply admire and hope to interview in the future! Register here and get a discount!   Find Laura's most frequently recommended resources for learning about trauma here - includes recommended books and trainings.   Love Therapy Chat? Leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts to help more people find the show!   Get our free PDF download to learn about the 5 mistakes most people make when searching for a trauma therapist here!   This episode is sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com ! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available.   Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy. And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.   Now featuring E-prescribe. Use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!

Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands