You’re considering a service provider, but you know very little about them. What’s one of the first things you do?
Google their name + ‘reviews’, right?
Given the ubiquity of online reviews you might wonder why we at Connections Count don’t use reviews or testimonials in our marketing.
The reason is an important one, related to regulation, integrity and client care.
As we offer regulated health services, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) mandates that we must not use testimonials or purported testimonials (i.e., fake ones) in our advertising. AHPRA’s reasoning is that reading a testimonial could be misleading: it could cause you to assume you’ll experience the same or similar outcomes as that person, or cause you to misinterpret the likely outcomes of engaging with a regulated health service.
AHPRA cares about this because they’re aware that when people access health services they’re often vulnerable, and they want to ensure consumers receive accurate, clear information about regulated health services that does not compromise their choices or outcomes.
We do too.
For this reason, we don’t share the feedback our clients give us about our services. However, you can – if there’s a way we can serve you better, please be sure to tell us. Likewise, if you have a wonderful experience, please – tell everyone! (including us!)
And please understand why we can’t share all your lovely feedback publicly (even though sometimes we really want to).
On that note, if you see another therapist using testimonials, it doesn’t mean they’re not everything the reviews say they are, but it probably does mean they’re not offering regulated health services. Therapists registered to offer regulated health services have completed accredited qualifications and are required to engage in ongoing professional development to ensure they remain appropriately equipped to provide the care you need.
This regulation helps us ensure we stay connected to your needs and serve you well, because Connections Count.
