Pretty Padded Room
- Thread starter ela
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Haha, one of them is trained in critical incident stress debriefing.
Edit: And another is trained in "nutritional detoxification." And, man, why are they all interested in mindfulness?
Edit: And another is trained in "nutritional detoxification." And, man, why are they all interested in mindfulness?
I wonder if they even bothered consulting a lawyer who was competent in interstate teletherapy. Last I checked, it can be tricky because your services are technically being delivered via 2 states implying that you would probably be practicing without a license in one state, or even practicing outside of your scope if the scope of practice is different between states.
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Yep. I wonder if they somehow get by with the provisional practice clause that's usually built into licensing laws that allows psychologists to temporarily provide services without needing to be licensed in the state?
I also wonder what happens, and how the liability would fall out, if a client endorsed suicidal or homicidal ideation...
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Did the sharks invest?? I wasn't watching.
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No they did not....revenue for one year was only $17,000 I believe. The founder of this enterprise did not have solid numbers and was wishy washy with facts. The sharks thought that was too risky.
D
deleted176373
You know, it's interesting to read the terms and conditions. Really they would have been safer, far safer, by really clarifying in the terms and conditions that they were not providing psychotherapy but rather consulting services. It's clear that they are trying to avoid cases where an actual diagnosis is involved. I don't see a big deal with offering consulting online in this fashion,
On the other hand, trying to do psychotherapy via online/phone services is something that really is still in it's infancy, and seems pretty perilous ground to be traversing without adequate planning, training, and independent oversight to ensure patient safety. I have no doubt that even via email, therapy could be successfully conducted, although the skills of the provider would have to fit well with that modality.
I would also be concerned about vetting... It's also interesting to note that it's only female providers, which leaves me scratching my head as to why they would do that.
On the other hand, trying to do psychotherapy via online/phone services is something that really is still in it's infancy, and seems pretty perilous ground to be traversing without adequate planning, training, and independent oversight to ensure patient safety. I have no doubt that even via email, therapy could be successfully conducted, although the skills of the provider would have to fit well with that modality.
I would also be concerned about vetting... It's also interesting to note that it's only female providers, which leaves me scratching my head as to why they would do that.
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The founder says that only 6% of their clients are male. Maybe this is one reason for all female providers. I didn't catch all of the numbers because I was multi-tasking at the time. The fee of $40 per half hour session was split with $30 going to the therapist and $10 to the site.
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Yeah, we've had issues with people doing phone sessions with clients in another state (my program is very close to a state border so some clients live in the adjacent state) in which their supervisor is not licensed. It's fine if they come to your clinic in the state you're licensed in even if they don't live there, but it's another issue if you're providing them therapy remotely while they're in the other state.
What struck me is how many of them have certifications in like a hundred different things.
What struck me is how many of them have certifications in like a hundred different things.
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That name is AWFUL!
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The added problem being there's a very small chance that the general public will be able to discern whether or not these certifications represent training of actual substance, or are simply rubber stamps handed out after attending a dubious weekend workshop or, worse yet, watching an hour-long pre-recorded presentation on a topic.
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Yeah, and they're all young and pretty with well-groomed pictures. Blech. Gives new meaning to the pretty padded room.
👍
Yeah, and they're all young and pretty with well-groomed pictures. Blech. Gives new meaning to the pretty padded room.
👍
They're master's level mental health providers and there's less than 10 of them right? Isn't that about representative of the amount of men to women?
I'm confused by this...so are they providing coaching (which is less regulated) or actual psychotherapy? How are they allowed to practice in so many states?
This is even more confusing. It would make sense if they were covering their asses by excluding any real psychiatric diagnoses, but they're not doing that. Or are they?
There are a many larger companies than Padded Room that offer psychotherapy online. Many of them seem even shadier than the Padded website. This has been going on for the past 10-15 years. Some of the website hire "therapists" from foreign countries. This one below has therapists from South Africa and other foreign countries...its like they are outsourcing therapists. Obviously there is no quality control because I don't even know if they are verifying credentials from foreign schools. They are misleading the public by stating that the therapists are all licensed "clinical psychologists" with 5 years of experience when in fact they are from foreign countries.
https://www.mytherapycouch.com/online_therapy_session/
Here is one of the therapists' bios (it says nothing about licensure):
Sumayyah is a clinical psychologist in private practice specializing in child, adolescent, and family therapy, working predominantly from the cognitive-behavioral paradigm. She also provides therapy for young adults. She received her BA Honours and Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
https://www.mytherapycouch.com/online_therapy_session/
Here is one of the therapists' bios (it says nothing about licensure):
Sumayyah is a clinical psychologist in private practice specializing in child, adolescent, and family therapy, working predominantly from the cognitive-behavioral paradigm. She also provides therapy for young adults. She received her BA Honours and Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
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Okay, I just saw it on demand. Did it crack anyone else up that the creator's name is Bea Arthur!? Anyway, she did not seem like a bright person. I would think most people would be clear on their profits etc before going on Shark Tank.
I will also note that one of the sharks made a comment that suggested that he has the same misunderstanding that much of the general public does about therapist earnings. He said something to the effect of why would a therapist work for her when they could be making $150/hr on their own. Maybe most therapists bill $150/hr, but most therapists aren't getting anywhere near that if they accept insurance.
Dr. E
I will also note that one of the sharks made a comment that suggested that he has the same misunderstanding that much of the general public does about therapist earnings. He said something to the effect of why would a therapist work for her when they could be making $150/hr on their own. Maybe most therapists bill $150/hr, but most therapists aren't getting anywhere near that if they accept insurance.
Dr. E
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Did Ms. "Bea Arthur" correct him???!!
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Just to say that it is hard for therapists just starting out to hang a shingle and get clients, but that isn't really the whole story now, is it?
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Hrmm, I may have to try to locate this episode.
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No, not the whole story. And pretty stupid of her--she might have had an investor if she was accurate!
D
deleted176373
After reading what you wrote, I had to go see this episode for myself. That poor person wasn't even qualified to run a push broom much less a business! That was horribly painful. She pitched it as therapy session but compared it to enlightened advising, which really isn't therapy. Two totally different things, and as the sharks said on the show: The numbers don't add up. If your projected 3rd year revenue is $20k, you're doing something very wrong.
If you want some entertainment though, go read this and then the comments below, which are just sad on so many levels. The comments by the blog participants are just, well, wow.
http://prettypaddedroom.com/posts/five-ways-to-recover-from-your-valentines-day-hangover
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Re: blog comments. I don't think that they were unusually mean to her, she was just unusually unprepared. Quite honestly, I err on the side of calling out racism and sexism, but I don't see it here. I actually had sort of the opposite thought: she was a poor reflection on mental health professionals and female and minority business owners. I do think that those three groups experience a lot of unfair stereotyping, but she just gave the haters what they will consider to be a data point on how MH is fluff (she considers it desirable for therapy to be comparable to talking to a BFF) and women/minorities can't handle the serious aspects of business. She really makes a mockery of MH in so many ways. She simultaneously brings up images of padded rooms and girlfriends...two extremes that are not accurate.
I was also unclear on her educational background. They didn't mention it on Shark Tank. She works as a "domestic violence counselor" but I think it is possible that she is a paraprofessional. If she were an MSW or doctorate, I would think that would have been mentioned.
And that blog post was just odd...it didn't seem very psychological at all, but I couldn't bring myself to finish reading it...
Dr. E
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According to her linked in profile she attended Teachers College of Columbia University and Emerson College. No mention of what degrees she attained. She worked as a psychotherapist from 2008-2009, a vocational counselor 2009-2010 and a domestic violence specialist from 2010-2011.
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Okay, I looked at Linked In. A little further down the profile it shows an EdM and MA from Teachers in psychological counseling. She is a bit of a job hopper though, huh?
Dr. E
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Whoever is willing to pay money for services on a website called "pretty padded room" deserves exactly what they get.
Businesses like this give our field a bad name.
Businesses like this give our field a bad name.
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I watched it on demand....criticism is totally legit.
It isn't that the concept on providing services online isn't an important one. This will be a part of the field.
It is the branding that I find problematic. The name is offensive and perpetuates stigma. The "blog" makes me think it is some Sex in the City spinoff. There is so much pop psychology and little substance.
I am all for a legitimate business tapping in to this market. But that website is a joke.
It isn't that the concept on providing services online isn't an important one. This will be a part of the field.
It is the branding that I find problematic. The name is offensive and perpetuates stigma. The "blog" makes me think it is some Sex in the City spinoff. There is so much pop psychology and little substance.
I am all for a legitimate business tapping in to this market. But that website is a joke.
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Wow, that blog entry is encouraging people to Facebook stalk exes or people you're interested in? That's okay for most people, but I could also see that going very, very badly for clients with certain personality styles.
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+1
All I could think of was "this is pop psychology" in reading the web site and blog... and her appearance on Shark Tank was PAINFUL to watch!
I just don't understand how any clinician could think its a good idea to work for a business like this!
Wow. Just watched that episode. Going in, I thought the terrible name, cutesy concept, and promoting of pop psychology, on top of the lack of business knowledge, were going to be the worst parts. I've seen people go on the show unprepared before and she did look dumb for that. But the worst part for me was her personality. She was so arrogant and entitled, or at least she came off that way. It was those faces - what were those faces she was making?! If I were a client and I saw that across the room or computer screen from me, I wouldn't be coming back. A little humility wouldn't have killed her. The backstage interview really topped it off though, where she cried and took their comments personally. I don't think they had one negative thing to say about the idea or business itself; they just couldn't possibly be able to invest in a business without knowing what kind of state it was in. Also, their Facebook page explains that she's just not used to talking about finances because, after all, it's tacky to do so. Arrogance and lack of insight: just what people are looking for in a therapist! Wow. Just wow.
Someone better start preparing a seminar for how future therapists can provide a corrective emotional experience for PPR's former patients; I'm thinking there will be lots of them!
Edit: I also covered my face when she exclaimed that she loves how clients are "addicted" to her site. I know I've always been taught that fostering client dependence is our number one priority.
Someone better start preparing a seminar for how future therapists can provide a corrective emotional experience for PPR's former patients; I'm thinking there will be lots of them!
Edit: I also covered my face when she exclaimed that she loves how clients are "addicted" to her site. I know I've always been taught that fostering client dependence is our number one priority.
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I covered my face too, and exclaimed "No! Ew!"
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Out of my morbid curiosity, I checked out their blog again this morning. The owner put up a reply to some comments noting that she didn't stumble until the sharks got "mean" and then said it was more important to be kind than right...with some vague reference to being right about Rihanna's new fashion line.
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It could be worse...she could try starting her own professional school
You ought to be mad too Buzz. She started her presentation by mocking a cartoon carboard cutout of Freud.
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I finally watched that segment of the episode on ABC's website.
THAT'S what got me. She bashed the old model and said that it's creepy to go to a room and talk to a therapist? Whaat?
I actually felt that Bea Arthur (haha) could have defended herself a lot better if she'd known more of the facts. For instance, attrition is a huge issue with therapy in general, so she could have mentioned that even traditional psychotherapy practices have to deal with that (I would have been prepared with those numbers as well). And what Dr. E said about overhead and how most therapists don't earn what they charge clients.
Also, this is probably snobby of me, but I loved when one of the sharks asked "What will the doctors be earning?" He automatically assumed they'd be doctoral level providers 🙂
THAT'S what got me. She bashed the old model and said that it's creepy to go to a room and talk to a therapist? Whaat?
I actually felt that Bea Arthur (haha) could have defended herself a lot better if she'd known more of the facts. For instance, attrition is a huge issue with therapy in general, so she could have mentioned that even traditional psychotherapy practices have to deal with that (I would have been prepared with those numbers as well). And what Dr. E said about overhead and how most therapists don't earn what they charge clients.
Also, this is probably snobby of me, but I loved when one of the sharks asked "What will the doctors be earning?" He automatically assumed they'd be doctoral level providers 🙂
D
deleted176373
Dr. E. I rather agree with you about the lack of racism and sexism by the show's "sharks", as they were spot on with the criticism. It was the comments that someone should "save" her because they shared a common skin color was way beyond ridiculous. She messed up, she didn't communicate her concept in a way that her audience would either appreciate or see value in. Their decision to not invest in her pretty padded cell had little to do with race or gender, but in economics. Had race and gender been an issue, the business model was so flawed and unproven that we would not be able to see it... because race and gender is always in play. The person who says they have no biases whatsoever is the one who is not being honest (albeit those biases can be small or managed by those aware of them).
M
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Just when I'd convinced myself the name PPR was gauche! Now I understand she must be the bona fide visionary our field has been waiting for to set things right!
D
deleted176373
Cara, it's only creepy if it's a conservative person like yourself sitting across from the client.
LMAO
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None of my clients know my political beliefs, and I intend for it to stay that way! 🙂
I would just like to point out that on the blog entry y'all posted, all comments have been deleted.. Also, she has obviously edited the post.
I was honestly so annoyed at the Shark Tank episode(I just saw it On Demand). She made it seem as if our profession is a joke, and something to be shunned. Especially with the name.. Pretty Padded Room? Seriously?
I was honestly so annoyed at the Shark Tank episode(I just saw it On Demand). She made it seem as if our profession is a joke, and something to be shunned. Especially with the name.. Pretty Padded Room? Seriously?
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Yep. A lot of CEU "education" is kind of cringe-worthy in my experience.
My guess would be it's rising Google search term popularity. I mean, isn't that how everyone picks their "specializations" from week-to-week? 😉
Also, how is "navigating the ups and downs of the dating scene" a clinical specialty?
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Hey now. Some of us actually devote considerable time and energy to the roles of mindfulness and other forms of meditation/self-monitoring in positive outcomes.
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Oh, some of my closest friends and most respected colleagues are mindfulness researchers, and I have a lot of respect for it as EBT. I just think these therapists are listing it because it's trendy, not because they actually know anything about mindfulness, the research behind it, or EBT using mindfulness. See also: people who list every disorder and technique seen on Oprah or 20/20 as a "speciality."
emdr
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Yep, though at least mindfulness has empirical support that isn't just copied from another treatment modality (i.e., PET) with some eye movement stuff thrown in.
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Well, I took a look again (I should really stop doing that) 😛
I'm really glad that people have access to these wonderful insights - especially the thought provoking recaps of The Face.
It is a free country. But wow.
I'm really glad that people have access to these wonderful insights - especially the thought provoking recaps of The Face.
It is a free country. But wow.
