CareDash
COLLECTIVE ACTION WORKS
Updated on 9/5/2022
Your response to my blog on CareDash’s and BetterHelp’s unethical marketing practices has been tremendous. Because of your collective efforts CareDash is no longer engaged in shady marketing practices. They have discontinued their affiliation with BetterHelp by removing the link that directed potential clients to their website. Because the link no longer exists, potential clients are no longer being directed away from your profile.
You may still want to check your CareDash profile because potential clients can now contact you directly. Review and update your profile with your correct information, add your website, specialties, and scheduling information. I just updated my profile. It doesn’t take long.
Collective action works.
Never underestimate the power of one person’s contribution.
Watch Your Back
If you are a therapist, social worker, counselor, or psychologist, I’d like to call your attention to the fraudulent and unethical business practice of a company called CareDash.
CareDash has created a directory of 1000s of therapists and your name might be on it. This may sound like free advertising and a great way to fill your practice but it’s not.
Their intention is to divert traffic to BetterHelp and bypass the therapist’s website. CareDash gets their information from NPI numbers, which are public. However, they are not getting the therapist’s consent to publish that information in their directory.
If the therapist is not a member of CareDash, when a potential client clicks on “schedule an appointment” or “book an appointment” they get the following message:
[Insert therapist name] “has not provided a way to schedule online through CareDash. However, you could get connected with an online therapist or chat with our virtual assistant to get help finding a therapist.”
Then, CareDash is happy to recommend 1000’s of other highly qualified therapists in your place.
Why this is bad for your practice
Falsely marketing your service reduces your visibility. It interferes with managing your own practice because it sends people directly to BetterHelp.
Check for yourself. Go to CareDash.com and see if you are listed by typing your name into the search bar. I checked my name, Beth Rontal, LICSW. An unauthorized, fake (and inaccurate) profile popped up immediately.
Not surprisingly, CareDash is refusing to remove our names from their site because the information is public.
What you can do
First and foremost, report these unethical and fraudulent business practices to both the Federal Trade Commission and your state’s consumer protection department. Click here for the NASW instructions. The process is fast and easy.
I’ve reported both CareDash and BetterHelp. NASW provides all the information you need. If you are not a willing member of either of these organizations, I encourage you to do the same.
Second, please share this information with you colleagues.
Documentation Wizard, LLC in no way endorses or supports CareDash or BetterHelp. Documentation Wizard, LLC is dedicated to supporting therapists by teaching essential documentation skills to pass audits, protect from legal issues and reduce documentation anxiety.
Thank you so much for spreading the word.
Hey Beth,
Thanks so much for taking the time to inform therapists about this unethical business practice. I’ll follow your instructions and report them to FTC, etc.
Sincerely,
Zana Zeigler
I filed a complaint in Iowa, as mine is on there. Also, who is Bark.com. Never heard of them either, but I get emails from the with client referrals.
Thank you Beth for making therapist aware of this. I have never heard of them but they have my name on their list. The information is incorrect and they even solicit reviews. This is dishonest and unethical. I would think it would also be illegal because they are using my license and NPI.. It says something about Better Health that they are doing business in this manner. I wonder if this might present a good class action lawsuit.
Thank you for this information! There is a fake profile for me and a fake review. The review is positive; however, the reviewer refers to “seeing him for quite some time” and I am quite obviously female and always have been which would be obvious to anyone who actually saw me. If they can post fake positive reviews, my concern is that they can post fake negative reviews just as easily.