GoodTherapy.org

GoodTherapy.org is an online community and resource dedicated to linking qualified mental health professionals and patients while encouraging progressive therapy methods and principles. As of November 2008 the site serves over 3800 member therapists and counselors, and attracts between 40,000 and 60,000 unique visitors each month.
History
The concept of Goodtherapy.org was initiated by its founders as an approach to concerns raised by modern issues with the integrity, professionalism, and emotional safety of therapists and psychotherapeutic practices. The main aims of the envisaged organization were to educate the public about the therapy types, to advocate for collaborative and nonpathologizing forms of therapy and to rally the accredited professionals who share the same vision. Led by licensed marriage and family therapist Noah Rubinstein, the Goodtherapy.org team began to compile resourceful information and outline plans for a specialized directory of therapists. After a period of research and organization, the Goodtherapy.com website was launched in February of 2007. It has since secured approval from the National Board for Certified Counselors to offer continuing education units to all mental health professionals, from The Center for Self-Leadership (the authority for Internal Family Systems Model), from the Foundation for Human Enrichement (the authority for Somatic Experiencing).
Overview
Vision
The core of Goodtherapy.org's operation is an approach to therapy aiming to improve the standards of common modern practice. The organization's concept of "good" therapy is based on several key principles, including:
*Non-Pathologizing - the belief that people are not defined by their problems, but rather are essentially good human beings with potentially problematic aspects. Viewing a person as being greater than their problems is the hallmark of non-pathologizing therapy.
*Empowerment - the application of the therapist’s belief that people are capable of internal growth, emotional healing, and transformation of psychological obstacles.
*Collaboration - an attitude born out of the idea that a person knows and cares for their own self, or has the potential to do so, better than any therapist possibly could. As a result of this idea, a healthy therapist encourages a client to become an active participant in their own therapy, helping curtail the expectation that the therapy direction, wisdom, or healing will come from the therapist
*Self - the embodiment of calm, curiosity, compassion, creativity, confidence, courage, connectedness, and clarity within the mental health professional, as outlined by Dr. Richard Schwartz.
*Therapeutic Relationship - the establishment and maintenance of a safe and nurturing relationship between therapist and client.
*Depth of Treatment - the wisdom and experience to know that healing takes more than insight about a problem, cognitive countering, and surface behavior change. Rather than turning away from, opposing, or compensating for one’s suffering, healing requires an exploration into the depth of the wounds which fuel extreme beliefs, feelings, and behaviors. Treatment which explores all levels of a person can produce lasting and meaningful results.
*Imperfection - the acceptance of the common experience that good therapy is imperfect. Therapy is often littered with small problems. These "hiccups" are actually important and helpful opportunities within the therapeutic relationship and process.
*Fallibility & Limitation - without giving up hope of providing assistance, it is useful for a therapist to accept that their ability to help is limited, and to be aware of therapy's usefulness as an aid on the path to recovery rather than as a blanket cure.
These principles are considered also as prerequisites for listing qualified mental health practitioners in the dedicated directory, allowing only those professionals who affirm allegiance with the organization's vision to become members.
Website
Goodtherapy.org consists of a number of resources, either publicly accessible or restricted to private member use. Public features include a searchable database of approved professionals on the international scale, several writings on the principles of progressive therapy and common approaches to a variety of DSM-classified conditions, tools to help identify questionable practices, a collection of inspiring stories, and news reports within the fields of psychology, therapy, and mental health. Members are able to list their practice in the Goodtherapy.org database, helping them to realize increased client interest, website traffic, and community distinction. They have also access to a variety of workshops and teleconferences specifically designed to improve their careers and professional relationships online.

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