Can Therapists Ask for Reviews? The Ethics of Testimonials Explained

June 12, 2026|Justin De Angel
Ethics & Online Presence · Private Practice

Can Therapists Ask for Reviews? what the codes actually say

The short answer is that therapists cannot ask clients for reviews or testimonials. The APA, ACA, and NASW all prohibit it for the same reason. The power differential in a clinical relationship makes any request feel hard to refuse, even if you never intend it that way.

Transference Studio June 2026 8 min read
3
ethics codes that explicitly prohibit soliciting testimonials from current clients
APA, ACA, and NASW
0
exceptions for current clients under any of the three codes, regardless of platform or method
All three governing bodies
ACA
the most restrictive code, also covering former clients with no waiting period
Code C.3.b

Key takeaways

  • The APA, ACA, and NASW all prohibit asking current clients for reviews or testimonials. The reason is the same across all three: the power differential in a clinical relationship.
  • The prohibition covers every platform. Google, Yelp, Psychology Today, a sign in your waiting room. The medium does not change the rule.
  • ACA Code C.3.b is the most restrictive. It also covers former clients with no waiting period. If you are an ACA member, the answer is always no.
  • If a client reviews you without being asked, leave it alone. Responding publicly confirms the clinical relationship, which is a confidentiality breach.
  • Ethical alternatives exist. Peer endorsements, anonymized outcome data, and a well-maintained Google Business Profile all build credibility without crossing any lines.
01

Why the prohibition exists

You just finished a session with a client who made a massive breakthrough. As they walk out the door, they tell you that you have literally changed their life. In any other industry, that would be the perfect moment to ask for a review. But as a clinician, you already know the rules are different.

The reason is not red tape. It is the nature of the relationship itself. Reviews in most industries serve as social proof: when fifty other people had a great experience with a plumber, you feel safe hiring them. But therapy is not a plumbing service. The relationship between a therapist and a client is built on a significant power imbalance, and that imbalance is what makes soliciting a review an ethics problem.

Undue
influence
is the concept at the center of all three codes. When a client depends on you for their emotional well-being, any request can feel like an obligation. They may fear that saying no changes how you see them in future sessions. The codes exist to prevent exactly that pressure.

Beyond the power dynamic, there is the issue of confidentiality. A review is a public declaration that someone is in treatment. Even if a client is happy to share that today, they may not feel the same way in five years. Once a review is on Google or Yelp, it is permanent. If you respond to it, you are confirming a clinical relationship in a public forum, which is a direct hit to the privacy you promised to protect.

02

APA Ethics Code 5.05

The American Psychological Association is very direct. Ethics Code 5.05 states that psychologists do not solicit testimonials from current therapy clients or any other person who is vulnerable to undue influence. For psychologists, asking a current client for a Google review is a clear violation.

Practical guidance Most ethics experts recommend extending APA 5.05 to former clients as well, since the power dynamics of a therapeutic relationship do not disappear the moment treatment ends. The safest interpretation is that if there was ever a clinical relationship, do not solicit a testimonial.
03

ACA Code C.3.b

The American Counseling Association is even more restrictive. Code C.3.b explicitly prohibits counselors from soliciting testimonials from current clients, former clients, or anyone else who might be vulnerable. If you are an ACA member, you cannot ask a former client for a review even if it has been years since their last session. There is no safe waiting period.

ACA members The answer for former clients is the same as for current ones: no. Code C.3.b does not provide a waiting period or a statute of limitations. If there was a clinical relationship, the prohibition applies.
04

NASW Code 4.07(b)

The National Association of Social Workers follows a similar path. Code 4.07(b) says social workers should not engage in solicitation of testimonial endorsements from current clients or people who are vulnerable to undue influence. Like the others, this is about protecting the client from pressure to perform for the benefit of the therapist's business.

05

What about former clients?

The rules vary by governing body, and this is one of the most commonly misunderstood distinctions.

  • APA (psychologists): Ethics Code 5.05 explicitly covers current clients and “other persons who because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence.” Most ethics experts recommend extending this to former clients as well, since the therapeutic relationship and its power dynamics do not disappear the moment treatment ends. The safest interpretation is never.
  • ACA (counselors): Code C.3.b is the most restrictive. It explicitly prohibits soliciting testimonials from both current and former clients, or anyone else who might be vulnerable. There is no safe waiting period. If you are an ACA member, the answer for former clients is the same as for current ones: no.
  • NASW (social workers): Code 4.07(b) covers “current clients or from other persons who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence.” Former clients are not explicitly named, but the vulnerability standard still applies. Most ethics consultants advise treating former clients the same as current ones.

The practical guidance is the same across all three. If there was ever a clinical relationship, do not solicit a testimonial. The risk of a board complaint is not worth the review.

06

When a client reviews you without being asked

What happens if a client leaves a review without you asking? You did not solicit it, so you are not in violation of the codes. However, how you handle it still matters.

The best practice is to leave it alone. Responding to a review, even to say thank you, confirms that the person was a client. That is a breach of confidentiality. If the review is negative, the urge to defend yourself will be strong, but a public back-and-forth about a clinical experience is never a win for the therapist. It looks unprofessional and signals to licensing boards that you may be playing fast and loose with privacy rules.

GBP strategy If you are worried about your Google Business Profile looking empty, focus on filling it with helpful information. Post photos of your office. Keep your hours updated. Write posts about mental health topics. These actions show that your practice is active and professional without needing a client to vouch for you publicly.
07

How to build credibility without reviews

If you cannot ask for reviews, how do you compete with the dentist down the street who has three hundred five-star ratings? You build trust through expertise and transparency instead of through a pile of stars.

One of the best approaches is non-client testimonials. You can ethically ask for endorsements from colleagues, supervisors, or people you have taught in workshops. These people are not in a vulnerable clinical relationship with you. Their praise speaks to your professional character and clinical skill without crossing any lines. If you want to tighten up the words on those pages too, our post on private practice copywriting mistakes can help.

Another powerful option is aggregate outcome data. Instead of showing one person's story, you can show the results of your practice as a whole. A statement like “95% of our clients report feeling more confident in setting boundaries after six months” gathered anonymously and honestly provides proof of your effectiveness without identifying anyone.

Your commitment to ethics is also a marketing message in itself. When a potential client sees that you do not have a wall of testimonials, they may not understand why at first. But when your website explains that you prioritize client privacy over marketing metrics, you send a powerful signal. You are telling them that their safety and confidentiality matter more to you than your Google ranking. That kind of integrity builds deeper trust than any five-star review ever could.

Here is what you can do right now, all of it ethical and effective.

✓
Ask colleagues and supervisors for endorsementsThey are not in a clinical relationship with you, so their praise is fair game. Focus on professional character and clinical skill.
✓
Publish anonymized outcome dataAggregate results from intake and exit surveys, with explicit permission. Collective numbers protect individual privacy while demonstrating your effectiveness.
✓
Keep your Google Business Profile activePhotos, updated hours, and regular posts signal that your practice is real and engaged. You do not need reviews to look credible there.
✓
Publish content that demonstrates expertiseBlog posts on topics your ideal clients are searching for show your clinical thinking without requiring anyone to speak for you.
✓
Explain your privacy commitment on your siteFrame the absence of testimonials as a feature, not a gap. Clients who value confidentiality will trust you more for it.
✓
Build a referral network with other professionalsWarm referrals from trusted colleagues are more valuable than any online review, and they come from people who can speak to your clinical approach directly.
08

Frequently asked questions

Can therapists ask for Google reviews specifically?
No. The platform does not change the prohibition. Whether the request is for a Google review, a Yelp rating, a Psychology Today testimonial, or any other public platform, the same ethics codes apply. APA 5.05, ACA C.3.b, and NASW 4.07(b) prohibit soliciting testimonials from current clients because of the power differential, not because of where the review would live. The medium is irrelevant; the relationship is what matters.
What should I do when a client leaves a Google review without me asking?
Leave it alone. Do not respond, do not thank them publicly, and do not reference it in session. Responding to a review, even positively, confirms a clinical relationship in a public forum, which is a breach of confidentiality. You did not solicit the review, so you are not in violation of the codes against solicitation. But how you handle it still matters. If the review is negative, resist the urge to defend yourself publicly; a clinical back-and-forth on Google is never a win. Focus instead on building your GBP profile with photos, posts, and complete information so your listing looks active and professional regardless of review count.
Can I have a “Review us on Google” sign in my waiting room?
Most ethics experts advise against this. Even though it is not a direct verbal request, it is still a solicitation directed at your clients. For ACA members, this is considered an unethical solicitation. It is better to keep your marketing materials focused on resources and education rather than review gathering.
What if I ask a colleague to write a review for me?
This is generally considered ethical. A colleague is a peer and is not in a vulnerable position with you. They can speak to your professional skills, your speaking engagements, or your collaborative work. Just make sure the review is honest about the nature of your relationship.
Can I offer a discount on a session if a client leaves a review?
Absolutely not. This is a major ethical violation across all boards. It combines the problem of solicitation with the problem of financial incentives. It turns a therapeutic relationship into a transactional one and will likely lead to disciplinary action if reported.
Is it okay to use anonymous quotes from my intake surveys on my site?
This is a safer route, but you must be careful. You need to ensure the client gave explicit permission for their words to be used for marketing. You also need to make sure the quote is so generic that the person cannot be identified. Many clinicians find that using aggregate data is even safer and more professional.
Should I try to get negative reviews removed from Google?
Google rarely removes reviews unless they violate their terms of service, such as containing hate speech or being fake. Since you cannot confirm the person was a client, it is very difficult to argue for removal. The best strategy is to drown out the noise with high-quality, professional content on your own website.

Build a practice that honors your ethics

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Sources and references

The ethics codes cited in this guide are primary sources, publicly available from each governing body. This guide summarizes and interprets the relevant provisions; it is not legal or professional ethics advice. For guidance specific to your license and jurisdiction, consult a professional ethics consultant or your licensing board.

  1. American Psychological Association. Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, Section 5.05: Testimonials. 2017. apa.org/ethics/code
  2. American Counseling Association. ACA Code of Ethics, Standard C.3.b: Testimonials. 2014. counseling.org
  3. National Association of Social Workers. NASW Code of Ethics, Section 4.07(b): Solicitations. 2021. socialworkers.org
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