Therapy Works. Mini-Video for the public.
Recently there was an ad on the radio for a bank that was waiving a lot of fees as a promotion. The ad had a therapist saying to a client “Oh, you want tissues? This is extra.” “Oh and confidentiality?” (implying that costs extra too.)
That did it for me. It is time to restore therapy back to the image we once had – that of a well-respected profession. I want people in our culture to see therapy as a place to turn when things get tough – a place where people can get better.
I am experimenting with creating some “pro-therapy” mini-videos as a way to promote our profession. I am curious what you think. Do you think a mini-video like this could help to convey the value of therapy? If so, why? If not, what could we do to help people understand the value of therapy? I can’t wait to read your comments!
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{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
Casey,
I liked the video and think it would definitely attract a wide range of individuals to therapy. On the other hand, I like the idea of a bank of videos like this one that would attract different types of clients like LGBT communities, identifiable minorities, etc. It would be great if people could “try their hand” at making videos like this and contribute them to a “central bank” of videos that is accessible by all therapists. Are yours only available through your membership program or have you thought of some other way to make them available as well?
I think you are onto something here Casey. I am all for demystifying therapy and letting people know they don’t have to suffer in silence. I think most therapists would be able to create a video like this around their specific niche. You have inspired me and got me thinking now!
Finally! We have a beginnings of a movement towards letting the public know that therapy is out there and it can help you with your emotional issues! I like the idea of a commercial on tv. I think the video needs to focus a little more towards the general public. Perhaps common issues, benefits and a wider scope of the population in terms of culture and age would good. Thank you Casey for initiating what our profession really needs. Which is exposure and letting people know that help is readily available.
Eun Ah Kim, MFT
kimcounseling.com
Casey, I love it that you’re taking a positive, pro-active step to reclaiming the perception of our profession in the cultural media. We are the brunt of a lot of humor! I agree with someone’s comment that the music is feminine. That’s not such a bad thing though; having several different soundtracks for different populations would be a great asset. Unfortunately since there are folks out there doing less than great work, and often serving up cliched techniques, it does leave us open for ridicule. I think it IS time for those of us who are great at what we do, and take what we do seriously, speak up for ourselves!
Thanks!
Kyna Moore, LPC, LMFT, NCC, CLPC
Absolutely not! I’m sorry, Casey, but the last thing the field (or the public) needs is sappy marketing efforts on behalf of the idea of psychotherapy! Sure, individual professionals can market themselves etc., but everyone knows that psychotherapy exists. We do not need to join the medical and bio-psychiatric marketing bonanza and cheapen the ancient art of healing and its youngest version called psychotherapy with commercials and generic mass marketing!
Please reconsider. At the very least, you will repel men/masculine individuals even more with this sort of thing–it’s hard enough to get them to consider psychotherapy/counseling.
Hi Casey,
I really like the concept of promoting therapy, and overall I think the video is an effective way to do that.
The music was too sappy for me, however. I think if I were male, I would not be attracted to therapy based on this very feminine video.
(I guess that comes from seeing the world differently through the eyes of my teenage son, and the many teens I’ve had in my classroom.)
Thank you for all of your work on behalf of therapists! I’m new to the field, and appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Catherine Zanzi, MFT Intern
sweet video… reaching out… I like it
Love the video! The visuals are speak to the heart and mind. Great music, too.
thank you for this wonderful video…the message that there’s hope of moving through one’s pain …like others, would this be available for therapists…
Hi Casey, Thanks for all your efforts in putting this video together. I loved the focus about giving people a more respectful and professional view of therapy. I would also like to see therapy depicted as an inward journey of self discovery and movement into positive directions than just a last response in difficult times. Also, a phrase that depicts that therapy that is safe and healing relationship. I didn’t resonate with the toilet paper roll – would love to see something that gives people a sense that therapy can open up a world where they can thrive and not just survive.
That is really lovely. It is moving and positive and I can imagine a person in a difficult situation responding to that subtle and sensitive hint. One thing – ‘there is a way out’: I have heard the phrase ‘way out’ very often, but not as a positive strategy, more like suicide. My only thought as to an alternative is ‘way through’, but I am sure there are better phrases. Thank you for your work.
Love it! Even (especially?) the toilet paper roll – doesn’t life just feel like that sometimes? I liked that touch of humor. I would also like to see a male therapist in it, though, and I agree about adding the word “psychotherapy” or “psychotherapist” somewhere. Would CAMFT pay for this as a TV commercial?
Thank you, Casey!
Loved it! It definitely conveys the value of therapy by tapping into common, real life scenarios – I appreciated the feeling of mental HEALTH not illness. Would love to have it available to spread the word through websites, facebook, etc. Let us know when it is available to use!
I want to see this on prime time television commercials. It’s just what we need. The presentation is sublime with the background music a perfect touch.
Thank you for all of your hard work.
Dr. Teri
I love the positive tone of the words and most of the pictures. I think more upbeat music would add to the positive tone of the message. I think it would be great for people to see something like this that may normalize therapy and offer hope.
Great job! One suggestion….. Perhaps specify “psychotherapy” at some point in the ad. I have found many people think “physical” therapy when I introduce myself as a Therapist. I also agree with those who think it best to replace the toilet paper roll with the end of a rope!
Thanks Casey for all your work!!!
Overall, I like it a lot. I’d like to see a male therapist and I agree that we could lose the toilet paper roll. Also, I’m thinking it could close with two or three major referral services appropriate to the audience (PsychologyToday.com and TherapistFinder.com are two examples).
Alternatively we could set up an ad buy and sell subscriptions until it is fully funded. Both therapists and referral services could participate.
Great job Casey. I think there is a great need for something like this. Thanks for stirring my creative juices.
I like everything but the toliet paper roll… how about a hand reaching to the end of the rope instead? The toilet paper roll is off course with the message, everything else was done so tastefully. Or maybe a bunch of empty kleenex boxes? Otherwise I had to surmise that one would be spastic colitis without therapy LOL. I LOVED “We want to hear your story” now… that is compelling! Great idea on getting the message out about therapy. I also LOVED the little child with a tear…
I agree with Elizabeth Thomas about the other challenges therapists face. In future videos, I would also recommend that being in pain is not only reason to go–maybe avoidance of future pain. I didn’t really get the TP roll. Great start though.
Dear Casey,
I love the whole idea of enlightenment ads! This will really help validate our profession. I like the video overall. There is one small change I would suggest from a marketing point of view. Don’t ask the audience ” why not try therapy”. Make it an imperative. This makes you sound more confident and that needs to be conveyed to the client. Flip the statement from “why not try therapy? Isn’t it time to feel better” to ‘Isn’t it time to feel better? Therapy helps you overcome life when life overwhelms you.” or something of that nature. In this age of fast fixes, fast food and overall fast life styles, you need to point out the need, and then offer the solution. Therapists want to do more than pass out the “take two and call me in the morning”, but the very first thing you need to do is get them in your office. Once there, then you can sell your help strategy, expertise and/or solution. It’s rather like fishing. Use a good bait and once you catch your fish, you can cook it any way you like. Keep laughing, it’s good for you. Blessings to all, Kerry.
Casey, I love what you do for therapists and I wholeheartedly support you and appreciate you. And I will give you honest feedback. I love the idea of creating videos for therapy but we also need to be careful in how we do it. People are mostly uninformed about what therapy is and how it can serve them. So a video about therapy would be most helpful if it increased public understanding. At any rate, there were good parts to the video – I particularly liked the line, “How we feel affects everything,” perhaps because it is insightful. And the images that bracketed that statement delivered the impact. I felt a little uncomfortable with the idea that the “way out” is closer than people think because therapy is actually a way IN….and that journey can take a long time depending on how long you have avoided your issues. As you know, therapy is about coming to understand yourself more deeply and that takes hard work. It is in being really listened to and understood that people can find immediate relief….and perhaps that distinction can be made. Admittedly, I did not like the image of the toilet paper roll. This idea is brilliant and I will continue to support your efforts. In fact, you have inspired me to create a video. It would be interesting for therapists to create a video for their private practices that explained/demonstrated their philosophy about therapy. You’re awesome, I love what you’re doing. I hope you don’t mind the honest feedback. Thanks!
I believe that this video is a ‘home run’ cause I got the goose bumps, and goose bumps do not lie. Thank you Casey.
I just watched this once but it seems all the therapists portrayed are female….why is that?
Hey Bill, Great observation and an addition I will make in future videos. The (current) reason why is lame
…. I hadn’t found a male therapist picture yet that I like – I am on the hunt of on though! Most of the ones I’ve found so far look like a doc in a lab coat. Same answer goes for more diverse looking therapists. I do need to add more ethnicities and genders in clients and therapists – thanks!
Casey,
Very clean and loved the music with the visual – “a picture is worth a thousand words.” I, too, agree that we can focus on what we do to relieve suffering, promote healing and bring skills and resources to our clients so they can be who they are meant to be. Thanks for your good work!
Marilyn and Al Sargent
Very cool. I think you really captured why people come to therapy, both with the words and visually. And, in a very simple and effective way, you point out that therapy is sincerely and genuinely about feeling better.
Thanks Casey!
I liked this video. I thought it was a great step to connecting with clients…would be good to see a series with a similar theme that also speaks to the solid basis of the techniques we use and our knowledge of the subjects and research about specialisations (soft versions like that an intimate relationship’s lifeblood is emotion not cleaning schedules, or that grief becomes a problem when it is interrupted instead of allowed and encouraged, etc)….something like “Therapists know how to make it happen” or “Wouldn’t it be good to talk to someone who understands the problem and you as an individual?”.
Like I say, I did like it and wouldn’t change this particular video, just add others in the series that 1) present to clients that we are knowledgable and caring, 2) maybe one that is slightly more upbeat, maybe good for younger populations – “Working out what to do with your life on your own can be daunting….” or “We all need a little help figuring out who we are and what choices to make”
Thanks for the opportunity to comment,
Tim
Great video. It makes it ok for people who feel they are reasonably healthy and not severely out of alignment to seek help. That is exactly what is needed.
Wow, Casey! This is beautiful and something that can inspire other’s creativity. With my own set of pictures, music and message, this is a model I could follow to create like this for my website. What an inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
I liked it and immediately thought what a great ad to have which would then link up to individual websites. ie-find a therapist in your neighborhood . . . Thank you!
I love it Casey! I think it’s so important to get the message out that there is effective help available. You might find the Psychology Works fact sheets by the Canadian Psychological Association interesting too (they just need to market them better to get the info out!). Sorry for the long ugly link:
http://www.cpa.ca/publications/yourhealthpsychologyworksfactsheets/
Thanks Christine!
Great video, and I loved its simplicity …. less is more!! It is also very client focused which makes it very welcoming. Great work!
I too loved it. I am not sure about the empty toilet paper roll. It got a chuckle out of me, but the chuckle felt a bit out of place with the theme. Maybe that part worked, or not…just not sure.
I would love to have access to that type of video to include on my web-site, should you or one of the associations choose to market them.
Very nicely done! While therapists will never fully be able to compete with the drug companies, this kind of ad CAN go viral. What about encouraging people to link it to their facebook, etc. For that matter, others making more specific ads, as well for YouTube, etc?
DARN YOU Casey for making me THINK!!!
Have a Great Day.
ps The jokes don’t offend generally offend me. What’s the difference between God and a surgeon. God knows he’s not a surgeon!!!! Doubt this keeps people away from surgery.
Peace.
Casey,
I LIKE IT! What a wonderful, creative, emotionally connected message. I think it has the potential to speak to so many people. It speaks to a generic sense of pain that so many people experience, even before they realize the real problem. I think it’s a wonderful idea and it has spawned an interest in me in putting something on my website.I just want to thank you for being such a forward thinker in our field!
Oh, Casey–This was just beautiful! I won’t repeat others’ comments except to say that I, too, loved it. It was soothing, inviting and informative. How can I use this?
Love and Peace
Zora
P.S. I’d also like to know what bank is advertising that way and organize a letter writing campaign or something to tell them how outrageous their ad is. Sounds like whoever wrote it could certainly use some therapy!
Hi Casey,
This is a wonderful video with a great message. How do I share it?
Best, Corey
Great first start! I have given a lot of thought to this topic. It seems to me there are a few separate areas therapists need to conquer:
Firstly, that therapists aren’t nuts! This is hard when we know people who have had outrageous experiences with therapists
Secondly, that therapists are more than “just listeners.” Afterall, your friends listen for free!
Thirdly, that there is hope for you and therapy is not just not-being-in-pain, but provides hope for better days as it equips you with tools to take better care of your mind/body/emotions
The ultimate challenge is the decentralized world of psychotherapy. Ads are insanely expensive and don’t convert well to any given individual therapist getting new clients. And when therapists don’t market themselves well, everyone sounds identical on therapy directories.
Keep up the creativity, Casey
Extraordinarily well said. I am very lucky to know you and our profession is lucky to have you as an advocate.
xo
Love it. Short and sweet but gets the message to those who may need to see it….that may be the 1 min that can change many people’s lives. Thanks Casey for your creativity and inspiration and for always keeping us moving forward.
This was great Casey (as everything you do is!).
Are you going to be running these on media or on your personal website? Also, like others asked – will you be selling/renting the rights to use this on other websites (although I guess if everyone uses it it may lose that “WOW” factor…)
Take care and hope all is well with you and your family,
Namaste,
Karen
I love this video! can someone asnwer me privately about to do more, the cost, recommended professionals to do so,
This would make a great tv ad. it could have a postscript at the end “no side effects” or similar.
I was drawn in completely and immediately wanted to add it to my website but then changed my mind. Not enough people of color, too white, needs African Americans in it, and it ended abruptly…otherwise…really sweet and inviting and soothing and conveying there is help.
Thank you for doing it.
Ann
Thank you for the wonderful video. Would love to have this available for website. Please let us know ASAP Rox
Dear Casey, This is wonderful. I wish we could join together to purchase some national ads. I love the work you do.
Connie Studer, MA, LMFT
Heteroflexible Therapy, Ltd
Casey,
Great job. I suspect people will respond to the visual paired with music. Keep us posted if something like this becomes available for individual websites.
This was beautiful, Casey! It was tasteful, empathetic, and caring. I know so many of us are tired of having therapy portrayed so poorly in the media. This is like a breath of fresh air. I would love to see therapy portrayed as a viable option for anyone who is sad, confused, or suffering. The music was so gentle and the scenes appeared authentic and real. Thank you.
Linda
I LOVE IT!!! Will you “rent” these types of videos to therapists to use on their website?
Love it. I wont repeat whats been said in the first two comments as they capture it, so – ditto!
I thought it was tasteful, respectful and right on the money. I would love to promote it out there to the masses.
Best,
Renee Sanguinetti, LMFT
Sanguine Counseling
Wonderful – the quietness of the presentation allowing viewers to have it resonate with where they may be now and hope for what the future could be.
Would love to have it available for individual websites to “restore” the professional in our profession.
Thank you!