Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ttidcc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!philabs!ttidca!ttidcc!hollombe From: hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (Jerry Hollombe) Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.flame Subject: re: Commercial Ventures (Psychology) Message-ID: <158@ttidcc.UUCP> Date: Fri, 7-Dec-84 15:51:40 EST Article-I.D.: ttidcc.158 Posted: Fri Dec 7 15:51:40 1984 Date-Received: Mon, 10-Dec-84 01:48:48 EST Organization: TTI, Santa Monica, CA. Lines: 59 Xref: watmath net.consumers:1538 net.flame:7150 >Message-ID: <143@ur-cvsvax.UUCP> >Some >kind of discount service is called for. In addition, most shrinks require >that you make formal appointments and show at their convenience, not when >you feel troubled, and need emotional support and sound advice. What about >"Tele-Shrink". This would be a psychiatric counseling service available >only over the phone. Subscribers would pay an initial membership fee, >which would enable them to talk to any of a number of trained >pschologists, paying only for connect time and a small additional fee as a >function of time. You pay only for what you feel you need, not for >additional treatments of dubious value. Calling a particular extension >during a particular time would enable you to (perhaps) get ahold of >particular therapists. For a small additional fee, one might arrange for >the therapist to call you. I can't begin to list how many sections of the APA Ethics Code this idea would violate. It also runs contrary to most techniques of psychological treatment. >Another additional benefit, especially for women >would be that there would be no opportunity for the therapist to try and >seduce the female patient, as often happens in the case of female patients >and male psychiatrists. ^^^^^ You think male patients never get seduced? And what's this "often" bullroar? Sure, it happens, but not in the majority, or even any large minority, of cases. >For paranoid patients, a small scrambler system >might be installed on the subscriber's phone line to prevent unauthorized >parties from listening in. Catering to the patient's delusions is a good idea? >As always, your comments and criticisms are >encouraged. {seismo!rochester!cvsvax!gary} 1) I have a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and I wouldn't touch this proposal with a barge pole. 2) From your proposal, it's obvious you know nothing about psychotherapy and its proper handling/administration. Drop this idea before you hurt someone (and get yourself sued). 3) There already exist many dial-up services for counseling referrals and talk. For the most part, they're free of charge. -- The Polymath (Jerry Hollombe) Opinions expressed here are my own Transaction Technology, Inc. and unrelated to anyone else's. 3100 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 United States (213) 450-9111, ext. 2483 ...{garfield,lasspvax,linus,cmcl2,seismo}!philabs!ttidca!ttidcc!hollombe