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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
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Posted: Fri Dec  7 15:51:40 1984
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>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