Our friends up north in the Canadian Psychological Association suggest the following guidelines when discussing referrals on the Listserv.
Please DO NOT provide enough information about clients/patients that readers might be able to figure out whom you are talking about (e.g., exact age of patient, specifics of case). Bear in mind that there are potentially thousands of readers and that your email may be stored indefinitely on computers without passwords and thus could be read if the computer is lost or stolen. If a high level of detail is important for your purpose, another mode of communication, such as phone calls to colleagues, is necessary. When seeking referrals, please cite aspects of the psychologist sought (e.g., location, skills) rather than information about the patient.
The following exampleshighlight appropriate and inappropriate ways this can be done:
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APPROPRIATE
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INAPPROPRIATE
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Referral: Therapist with experience treating adults with Asperger’s.
Looking for a referral to a therapist with experience treating adults with Asperger’s in Blue Cross Network, in or near Santa Monica.
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Referral: Adult Asperger’s client Looking for referral for an adult male with recent Asperger’s Dx, lots of distress, marital problems. Needs therapist in Blue Cross Network. Lives in Santa Monica.
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Referral: Child therapist to treat anxiety I am looking for recommendations for therapists (Los Altos preferred) who treat elementary school age children with anxiety and irritability.
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Referral: 7 year old child with anxiety I am looking for recommendations for therapists who treat second graders. I have a friend whose son is experiencing some anxiety and irritability, possibly related to school. She would rather not travel outside Los Altos.
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Referral: Sacramento area therapist who treats issues related to incest in adolescents. Looking for a therapist with experience treating adolescent incest survivors and expertise in substance abuse. Experience with AsianOAmerican clients desired.
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Referral: 17 year old, hx of incest Need individual therapist for 17 yearOold boy with a history of incest. 14 yo sister currently in therapy. Children have been having unsupervised visitation for the last year. Increased substance use in past 6 months, deteriorating school performance. Family is Chinese, lives in West Sacramento.
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Referral: Therapist in Indiana with experience with transgender issues. Can anyone recommend a therapist near Bloomington, Indiana with experience with transgender issues?
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Referral: 25 year old transgender client 25 yo transgendered person in preoperative stage of a sex change operation working with doctors at Stanford. Client is active onOcampus with LGBTIQ community, but client is moving to Bloomington, Indiana at the end of the semester. Needs referral for an individual therapist near Indiana University.
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