Six Reasons for Mental Health Professionals to Develop An Online Presence

The internet offers enormous potential for mental health professionals to reach those who are suffering from mental health issues. Just recently in Australia, two professors called for greater use of the internet for providing Mental Health Services, claiming that the internet could really help to bridge the gap between mental health professionals and marginalised Australians, particularly teenagers.

Throughout this blog, I really want to encourage mental health professionals to become more active on the internet by providing tips and information on how you can go about creating an exceptional online presence that goes way beyond the creation of a website. But before I get into how and what, let’s first take a look at why you should bother. If you’re going to invest the time in creating and delivering an effective web presence, you want to know what the benefits are. And quite rightly so!

1. People are looking for healthcare information online!

According to Oxford Internet Surveys published in June 2009, 68% of internet users go online to source health information.

What’s worrying is that although there is a wealth of information relating to healthcare on the internet, there are very few healthcare professionals with a good online presence.

A BBC report in April 2010 covered a study carried out to assess the effectiveness of the internet for providing information relating to healthcare. The report showed that sadly, a large volume of information on the internet relating to health care was inaccurate, and the presence of qualified health care professionals was low. Study researchers concluded:

“Healthcare professionals should continue to strive to be the main source of information for patients but we should be aware that most will continue to use the internet to gather information”

Rather than fighting against the inaccurate information held on the internet, why not make sure the internet provides accurate information relating to your particular field by putting it there yourself?

Very little research has been carried out to date, but given the above statistics, combined with the stigma associated with mental health issues, it’s reasonable to conclude that a very large proportion of people suffering from mental health issues turn to the internet for information.

Just this month the Guardian reported that “many people with mental health problems find the internet useful for finding information and connecting with others”. Read the full article here: For people with mental health issues the cloak of cyberspace has advantages.

A good online presence will help you place yourself in front of people who are in the preliminary stages of researching their mental health conditions or problems.

2. People Look for Local Services Online!

The survey carried out by Oxford Internet Surveys also reported that 82% of all internet users use the internet to source local information. In conjunction with this, other statistics show that people are increasingly reviewing a service they have heard about, by researching the service provider online. At this stage, someone is ready to use your service, you need to be online when they go to check you out, and the better presence you have, the greater their trust in your service will be.

3. You Have an Opportunity to Demonstrate Credibility and Build Trust

People have preconceived ideas about mental health professionals. Your online presence provides you with the ideal opportunity to present yourself and the support you offer in an accurate light. You have the opportunity to dispel any myths, demonstrate credibility, and what’s more, build trust and relationships with potential clients.

I often hold conversations with people I feel could benefit from seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist. But when I suggest it to them, the common reply is something along the lines of, “I don’t want to talk to a complete stranger about my problems”.

A good online presence will help you to start building relationships with people who may want to use your service. It can bridge the gap that used to exist between a faceless advertisement and your therapy room, making your services more accessible, and you as a professional more approachable.

4. You Have the Opportunity to Help More People

By providing valuable information relating to mental health that demonstrates your credibility, you also give people access to information that helps them in their everyday life. Not all of them may become a client that you see in the therapy room, and not all of them will need that level of support.

A good online marketing strategy adds value to the virtual world by freely contributing information that people need. This level of information may be enough for some people. GREAT! Your online campaign has not only helped you to build up a client base, but it’s also helped many people along the way. If at a later date they fall upon more difficult times, they will know who they can turn to for support. They may also refer friends and colleagues to your website, helping you to become a recognised expert and source of support.

5. You Have the Opportunity to Increase Income Potential

The beauty of a good online presence is that, not only does it help you to reach more people and grow your practice, but it also offers the opportunity for additional income streams. You can use your knowledge to create different products and help people who may not be able to afford or reach you for one on one therapy.

You can create an eBook or guide about your specialist subject and sell it from your website, offer online therapy sessions, create courses on coping with anxiety for example, or receive commission for selling books or resources that you recommend to your visitors, without even having to stock them.

A good online presence will enable you to implement additional income streams in an ethical manner, which has the clients’ needs in mind.

Wrapping Up a Good Online Presence for Mental Health Professionals

A good online marketing strategy for mental health professionals, is not about convincing people to see a therapist. It is about reaching out to people who are looking for information, giving them the information and support they need, and making your services as accessible as possible.

I hope this article has highlighted the enormous potential available with today’s new media, for mental health professionals to help MORE people and generate MORE income. Over the coming months I will be delving more deeply into the subject, offering tips, information and resources to help you develop your own online presence. Make sure you don’t miss a trick and sign up to the newsletter to receive future articles by email.

If you would like to implement an online marketing strategy or review your own online presence, I have developed a range of services that can be tailored to suit your needs. Check out marketing services for mental health professionals for more information.

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