Therapist Content Guidelines

Standards for creating and sharing mental health resources on Thetsy

SECTION 1: Professional Standards

1.1 Licensure and Credentials

All therapists creating content on Thetsy must:

• Hold a current, valid license to practice as a mental health professional in their jurisdiction
• Maintain good standing with their licensing board
• Accurately represent their credentials, training, and areas of expertise
• Display their license information on their Thetsy profile
• Notify Thetsy immediately of any changes to licensure status

1.2 Professional Ethics

All content must adhere to the ethical standards established by relevant professional organizations, including but not limited to:

• American Psychological Association (APA)
• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

1.3 Scope of Practice

Content creators must:

• Stay within their professional scope of practice and areas of competence
• Clearly distinguish between educational content and therapeutic services
• Not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure mental health conditions through resources alone
• Include appropriate disclaimers about the educational nature of content

SECTION 2: Content Requirements

2.1 Accuracy and Evidence Base

All educational content must be:

• Based on current, evidence-based practices and research
• Accurate and factually correct
• Updated regularly to reflect current professional standards
• Referenced appropriately when citing research or established theories
• Free from misleading or false claims

2.2 Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity

Content should:

• Be culturally sensitive and inclusive of diverse populations
• Avoid stereotypes, bias, or discriminatory language
• Consider cultural factors in mental health and wellness
• Use inclusive language regarding gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, disability, and other identities
• Acknowledge limitations in cultural competence when appropriate

2.3 Safety and Crisis Resources

When creating content that addresses sensitive topics, therapists must:

• Include trigger warnings for potentially distressing content
• Provide crisis resources and hotline numbers (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988)
• Clearly state that content is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment
• Encourage users to seek immediate help if experiencing a mental health crisis

2.4 Confidentiality and Privacy

Therapists must:

• Never share identifying information about current or former clients
• Obtain appropriate consent before using case examples or testimonials
• Sufficiently alter or composite case examples to prevent identification
• Protect the privacy and dignity of all individuals referenced in content

2.5 Prohibited Content

The following types of content are strictly prohibited:

• Content that promotes self-harm, suicide, or dangerous behaviors
• False or misleading claims about treatment effectiveness
• Promotion of unproven or pseudoscientific treatments
• Content that discriminates against or marginalizes any group
• Sexually explicit material (except when clinically appropriate and properly labeled)
• Violations of copyright or intellectual property rights
• Content that could reasonably be considered therapeutic advice for specific individuals

2.6 Commercial Integrity

When creating content, therapists should:

• Disclose any potential conflicts of interest
• Avoid excessive commercialism or promotional material unrelated to mental health
• Price resources fairly and transparently
• Clearly describe what users will receive for their purchase
• Honor refund policies as stated

Final Word

These guidelines are designed to maintain Thetsy as a trusted platform for mental health education and resources. We believe that by upholding these standards, we can collectively contribute to improved mental health awareness and support.

Compliance and Review: Thetsy reserves the right to review all content for compliance with these guidelines. Content that violates these standards may be removed, and repeated violations may result in suspension or termination of platform access.

Updates: These guidelines may be updated periodically to reflect evolving professional standards and community needs. Therapists will be notified of significant changes and are responsible for ensuring ongoing compliance.

Questions or Concerns: If you have questions about these guidelines or need clarification on specific content, please contact our support team at support@thetsy.com.