WHY WE DON’T ASK FOR OR RESPOND TO GOOGLE REVIEWS (…AND WHY THAT’S ACTUALLY BETTER FOR YOU)
Why We Don’t Ask for or Respond to Google Reviews (…And Why That’s Actually Better for You)
On a hot, sweltering summer day my babysitter got a flat tire while driving my young kids home from the park. She tried calling me but I was at work and wasn’t able to answer right away. Luckily, she had gotten the flat tire near an auto repair & tire shop. The kind folks there fixed the flat, gave the kids snacks and water, and charged her a nominal fee to get everyone back on the road and home safely. Writing them a glowing, 5-star Google review was a no-brainer—it felt good to recognize them for their kindness and above-and-beyond service. Google reviews play a powerful role in shaping our buying decisions. I rely on star ratings and helpful comments from everyday people - like myself - to make more informed choices about where to spend my time and money.
Although psychiatry seems very different from auto repair, my goals are similar: to recognize those in need and help them in kindness, service, and excellence.
As I launch my psychiatry practice specializing in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy -- this blog post is being written before a single review for Canto Integrative Psychiatry has been left -- I have reflected on the digital landscape surrounding modern healthcare and the influence of Google reviews. While I appreciate the power of reviews and often depend on them myself, I have deliberately chosen never to ask patients for Google reviews nor to respond to them publicly. I think this unconventional approach is actually better for you, especially when it comes to those receiving ketamine therapy and mental health treatment.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy & The Vulnerability of Transformation
Patients receiving ketamine therapy are often in a uniquely vulnerable emotional state. This vulnerability arises both from the medication’s effects and from the deeply personal content that emerges during sessions. Ketamine can temporarily alter perception and reduce psychological defenses, allowing individuals to access thoughts, feelings, and insights that might otherwise remain hidden. This creates a precious and fragile space where true inner transformation can occur.
During a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session, many patients experience profound breakthroughs or confront difficult truths about themselves. The content that surfaces can be raw, deeply meaningful, and intensely personal. Reducing such sacred moments to a simple 5-star rating feels uncomfortable and insufficient. How can someone quantify the moment they finally understand a longstanding pattern holding them back? Or rate the courage it takes to face painful emotions or memories?
The best “review” of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy isn’t found on Google. Instead, it’s reflected in how clients integrate the insights gained during therapy into their everyday lives. It shows in how they respond differently to stress, feel more connected to their authentic selves, or experience relief from depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, or anxiety disorders. These therapeutic effects are far too precious -- and too personal -- to be distilled into online ratings.
Privacy Isn’t Just a Preference—It’s Personal
Mental health treatment, including ketamine-assisted therapy, carries unique privacy considerations. While someone might be comfortable sharing a positive experience with a mechanic or dentist, publicly acknowledging their participation in therapy or psychiatric treatment is a very different matter. Many patients face stigma, professional concerns, or simply prefer to keep their healthcare private. The choice to share details about receiving ketamine therapy or treatment for any other mental health condition should always be yours alone, free from external pressure or obligation.
Even well-meaning patients who want to promote their provider might not fully consider the long-term implications of having their mental health treatment publicly associated with their name and Google account. This is particularly important given the sensitive nature of psychiatric conditions such as major depressive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, or treatment resistant depression, which are often treated with ketamine therapy.
The Silence That Protects You
Here’s something that might surprise you: even if you do leave a Google review—positive or negative—I won't respond in any meaningful way. Privacy regulations like HIPAA prevent me from acknowledging our therapeutic relationship or commenting on your specific experience, even if it’s just to sincerely say thank you for kind words.
This means that positive reviews stand without acknowledgment, and concerns raised in negative reviews cannot be addressed or clarified publicly. While this may seem frustrating, it is a crucial protection that ensures everyone's privacy remains intact. It also keeps therapeutic relationships from spilling over into public, digital forums where they do not belong.
What This Means for You
Instead of focusing on online reviews, my commitment is to build a practice founded on direct communication, clinical excellence, and genuine care for each person who walks through our doors. Here’s what you can expect when you seek ketamine treatment with us:
Open Communication: If you have concerns about your ketamine dose, the effects of ketamine, or any aspect of your treatment, I want to hear about them directly. We can address issues confidentially and in real time.
Quality Care: My focus remains on providing evidence-based, compassionate medical treatment, including ketamine infusion therapy and other forms, rather than managing an online reputation.
Respect for Your Privacy: Your decision to receive ketamine therapy or other psychiatric treatments is yours alone. You will never feel pressured to make it public.
Professional Boundaries: The therapeutic relationship stays where it belongs—in the therapy room, not on digital platforms.
Finding the Right Fit
I understand that many people look at online reviews when choosing healthcare providers, especially for complex psychiatric conditions like severe depression or chronic pain. While I cannot control what information is or isn’t available online, I can offer something better: the opportunity to have a genuine conversation about your needs and whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy might be the right treatment for you.
If you are considering ketamine treatment to treat depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, I encourage you to schedule a consultation. Ask questions about the preparation phase, what ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is like, maintenance treatments, repeated dosing, and possible side effects such as dizziness or high blood pressure. Learn how ketamine therapy works compared to other treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or traditional antidepressant medications, like SSRIs and SNRIs. Understanding the benefits of ketamine, the rapid-acting antidepressant effects it can provide, and how it differs from other antidepressant medications and conventional treatments will empower you to make informed decisions about your mental health.
Trust your instincts about the therapeutic relationship -- how you feel about the professionals involved in your care is what truly matters for your own personal healing journey. The best recommendation I can offer is not a five-star review but the assurance that you have found a place where your privacy is respected, your autonomy is honored, and your wellbeing is the only metric that counts.
***If you’re interested in learning more about ketamine-assisted psychotherapy or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our office directly. We’re here to answer your questions and help you determine if our unique approach might be right for your situation and needs.
