The Advantages of Therapy Services with a Local Practice vs. Big Tech Companies
Every November, social media platforms are filled with messages encouraging shoppers to “shop local.” As big tech companies take an interest in the mental health field, there are a number of reasons for people to consider seeking therapy at a local practice vs. the counseling services advertised by big tech companies. Here are some of the most important considerations:
Personalized attention
When you seek therapy at a local practice, you'll have the opportunity to work with a therapist who is familiar with your community and can offer customized support based on your individual needs. Big tech companies may not have the same level of personalization, as they are often operating on a much larger scale.
Qualifications and quality
Therapists who work for big tech companies may not have access to the same level of support and professional consultation as therapists who work at local counseling practices. Some people are concerned that big tech companies are not adequately screening the therapists they hire to ensure that they are qualified and are abiding by best practices and state guidelines. Therapists who work at local counseling practices likely have access to supervision, consultation, and ongoing training opportunities which are best practices in the mental health field.
Confidentiality
When you seek therapy at a local counseling practice, you can be confident that your confidential information will be protected. Local practices are bound by strict ethical standards, and they often have secure systems in place to protect client information. In contrast, big tech companies may be more likely to share your information with other parties, or to use it for marketing or research purposes. In many instances, the people who use these services may be unaware of having agreed to these practices when they signed up for services with these larger companies.
Misleading marketing that goes against best practices
Big tech companies advertise that you can access counseling services anywhere. Their commercials show people sitting in pools or chopping vegetables in their kitchen while talking to their therapists. These types of messages are misleading and do not promote best practices. Trained therapists are going to encourage you to be in a secure and confidential setting during your session where you can be actively engaged and get the most out of your session. Big tech companies advertise in these ways because they don’t actually have the training to provide mental health services.
Long-term relationships
Building a long-term therapeutic relationship with a local therapist can be incredibly beneficial. Over time, your therapist will come to understand your needs and challenges, and they will be able to help you work through them in a way that is tailored to your individual situation. Big tech companies may not have the same level of continuity, as you may be working with different therapists over time due to turnover.
Support for the local community
When you seek therapy at a local practice, you'll be supporting the local economy and a local business owner.
Supporting businesses that support their employees
Another common concern about big tech companies are the low rates that they pay their mental health providers. Therapists who work at local counseling practices tend to work with group practice owners who have relationships with their employees and who want to support them by providing adequate compensation and benefits packages. When you choose to work with a local counseling practice over a big tech company, you are supporting local businesses that support their employees.
There are many reasons why seeking therapy at a local practice may be preferable to using the counseling services offered by a big tech company. Whether you're looking for personalized attention, expert care, confidential support, or a long-term therapeutic relationship, a local practice is likely to provide the kind of care that you need.
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The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Photo Credit: Mizuno K, Polina Zimmerman, and Karolina Grabowska
Date of Download: 3/10/2022
