Can therapists ask for reviews? ACA, APA, NASW and AAMFT compared
Short answer: Usually not from current clients. The ACA, APA and NASW codes all discourage soliciting testimonials from current clients or others who may be vulnerable to undue influence, and the ACA code also covers former clients. For AAMFT, check the current code's advertising language. Colleagues and referral partners are safer people to ask.
Clients may feel pressure to comply, which is why the codes take this view. This summary is general information only and is not a substitute for reading the codes yourself or getting ethics advice.
What do the ACA, APA, NASW and AAMFT codes say?
In general terms, the ACA, APA and NASW codes all discourage soliciting testimonials from current clients or others who may be vulnerable to undue influence, and the ACA code extends this to former clients. The table below summarizes each code's position, AAMFT included:
| Code | Who it covers | Position on soliciting testimonials |
|---|---|---|
| ACA | Counselors | Counselors who use testimonials do not solicit them from current or former clients or other vulnerable people. |
| APA | Psychologists | Psychologists do not solicit testimonials from current therapy clients or others who may be vulnerable to undue influence. |
| NASW | Social workers | Social workers should not solicit testimonial endorsements from current clients or others vulnerable to undue influence. |
| AAMFT | Marriage and family therapists | Check the current code for advertising and testimonial language. |
How should you read the comparison table?
The table restates each code's published position on soliciting testimonials. It is a plain-language summary of the codes themselves, not new legal or ethics advice. Confirm the wording against the current ACA, APA, NASW and AAMFT texts before you decide, and talk to an ethics consultant or attorney when a specific situation is unclear.
Each association publishes its own code. You can read the ACA Code of Ethics resources (opens in a new tab), the APA Ethics Code (opens in a new tab) and the NASW Code of Ethics (opens in a new tab) on their sites. For the AAMFT code, check aamft.org.
Why do the codes limit testimonials and review requests?
The codes limit testimonials and review requests because both the request and any reply can put a client's privacy at risk. Even when a client volunteers a review, replying can reveal that they are a client. Asking for reviews can also affect the therapeutic relationship, since clients may feel they have to say yes. For reply wording that stays general, see HIPAA-safe review reply examples for 20 scenarios.
How can you build your reputation instead?
You can build a strong reputation without asking current clients for reviews. Focus on the people who know your work professionally, keep your public profiles current and share useful information, so referral sources and future clients can learn about you on their own:
- Ask colleagues, referral partners and supervisees for reviews of their experience working with you.
- Keep directory profiles complete and up to date.
- Publish helpful educational content.
- Make it easy for referrals to learn about you.
- If a client volunteers feedback, thank them privately.
What if a former client posts a review?
Do not reply in a way that confirms the relationship. Keep any reply general. The same privacy rules apply as in how to respond to negative reviews without violating HIPAA. For thank-you wording that does not confirm anything, see replies to positive reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a link to my review page on my website?
Consider whether it works as a solicitation. Check your code.
Is a review request in an email signature okay?
Many clinicians avoid it for the same reasons.
Do Google Business Profile review requests count?
Yes. Treat automated review requests as a form of solicitation and check your code before enabling them.
What if a client asks how to leave a review?
You can point them to the public profile without pressuring them. Keep any thank-you general if they post, like the short thank-you in scenario 11.
Can therapists use client testimonials?
The ACA, APA and NASW codes focus on asking for them. Counselors, psychologists and social workers are told not to solicit testimonials from current clients or others vulnerable to undue influence, and the ACA code adds former clients. AAMFT members should check the current code's advertising language. The summary table sets out each code's position.
Can I ask a former client for a review?
If you are a counselor, the ACA code covers former clients as well as current ones. For other professions, read your code's current text first, and consider asking colleagues or referral partners instead.
Can I ask colleagues or referral partners for reviews?
Yes. Colleagues, referral partners and supervisees can review their experience working with you, and they are safer people to ask than clients. Keep your directory profiles complete too, so referrals can learn about you on their own. More ideas are in how to build your reputation instead.
What if a client offers praise without being asked?
Thank them privately. If they go on to post a review, keep any public reply general so it does not confirm the relationship, like these replies to positive reviews.
Why do the codes discourage asking current clients for reviews?
Because clients may feel pressure to comply, the undue influence the codes are concerned about, and both the request and any reply can put a client's privacy at risk. Review your own code's current text before you decide.
How should I reply when a former client posts a review?
Keep any reply general so it does not confirm the past relationship, as in the former client section above and the replies to positive reviews.
Does a volunteered review still need a careful reply?
Yes. Even when a client posts a review on their own, a reply can still reveal that the person is a client. Keep any public thank-you short and general, the same way you would for any other review. See volunteered review and the positive review replies.
How does Discreet help?
Discreet drafts review replies and flags wording that could confirm a client relationship. A person on your team approves every reply before it posts. Review-request features stay off where your profession's rules discourage them.
General information only, not legal or ethical advice. Confirm the current ACA, APA, NASW and AAMFT texts before you decide.