Posting a Google Review Policy

Purpose of This Policy

Our purpose for this policy is to let our current, past, and future clients be aware of our duty to protect client privacy and to inform of our required ethical guidelines of not asking, promoting client reviews online. As most people are aware, whenever one purchases products or receives services, those providing the products or services will generally ask for a starred review online usually with Google. Many clients with us may wonder why we don’t ask for reviews. Hopefully this policy will give clarity.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Protecting client privacy and confidentiality is one of our highest priorities. Because counseling is a personal and confidential service we do not ask our clients to write online reviews or testimonials about their counseling experience. Although we do not ask our clients to write online reviews or testimonials about their counseling experience, we know clients have wanted or may want to post a review.

Professional counseling ethics recognize that requests for public reviews may create unintended pressure for clients or could affect the therapeutic relationship. Further, it goes against our code of ethics to ask. This is why we don’t solicit reviews from current or former (or future) clients.

Why Online Reviews Have Value for Our Attention

Today, online reviews and star ratings are one of the primary ways people search for and find local businesses through Google and AI platforms. For many individuals and families who are looking for counseling services, these reviews and ratings help them discover providers in their community.

While online visibility is important because it helps people in need of counseling to locate services, protecting our clients’ confidentiality remains far more important than receiving online reviews.

*If You Choose to Leave a Review

Although we do not ask, we also cannot prevent a client from choosing to do so on their own. If one chooses to do so, Google’s guidelines request uncoerced, authentic, unscripted, honest, (and heartfelt) feedback about the poster’s experience.

If you independently decide to post a review, we encourage you to carefully consider your privacy before sharing any personal information online.

**Please remember:

Google reviews are public and can typically be viewed by anyone.
Your name and profile information associated with your Google account may be visible to others.
Anything you choose to write may identify you as someone who has received counseling services.
Once information is posted publicly, it may be difficult or impossible to completely remove from the internet.

Informing You of Your Privacy

*If you decide to leave a Google review, you should understand the public nature of online reviews before posting.

**Google allows users to customize the display name on their Google profile, including using a nickname or other name that does not identify them personally. Many individuals choose this option to help maintain greater privacy when participating in public reviews.

**Whether or not you use a nickname is entirely your personal decision so make an informed choice that best protects your privacy and confidentiality.

Our Response to Reviews

We may or may not reply to reviews in order to protect your confidentiality. If we reply, we will indicate that we can neither confirm nor deny whether those who post a review are or have been a client with us nor confirm or deny the content authenticity of a review. Even acknowledging that someone is or was a client could compromise privacy.

We value our clients feedback. If you have questions, concerns, suggestions, or ideas about your experience with our services, we encourage you to discuss them directly with your counselor or contact the director, Joel Ackley at 520-292-9750. We welcome the opportunity to listen, review and continually improve our services while maintaining your privacy.

Our Commitment

Our mission is to provide compassionate, ethical, and confidential counseling services. We appreciate every person who places their trust in us and remain committed to protecting client confidentiality.

FYI