We have added the possibility to pay for your relatives' and loved ones' psychotherapy. However, we are not introducing standard gift vouchers, because, in our understanding, they are not compatible with the ethical side of psychotherapy and the specifics of the psychotherapeutic process. So let us briefly explain why we have made this decision and how this new functionality works.
There are no regular gift vouchers on Treatfield. Why?
The problem with typical gift vouchers is that they are bought without the recipient's consent.
The decision about psychotherapy is always the client's own choice. It cannot be made by someone else. meaning, the psychotherapy should never be an unexpected gift. Even if we act in good faith, we can only share our experiences or explain how psychotherapy works and how it can help. We can pay for psychotherapy for a family member or a friend if there is a need and a clear agreement. But a consultation with a psychotherapist is definitely not the kind of gift that can be given as a surprise.
We have built the system in such a way that the decision to see a therapist is guaranteed to remain with the client. The client also makes all the accompanying choices (choosing a therapist, messages to the therapist, arranging a time).
How to talk to your loved one about the need for psychotherapy
If you know for sure that your loved one intends to go to a psychotherapist and the problem is only about payment – skip to the next section, where the technical side is described.
But if you are preparing for a conversation, here's what's important to remember:
- Whether a person needs psychotherapy can only be decided by that person. A partner, a friend or family member can suggest options, but we can neither persuade nor force.
- It is true that not everyone needs psychotherapy. Some are perfectly capable to cope with day-to-day issues using inner resources, a supportive circle or other practices (such as meditation and creative hobbies).
- If we want our loved one to go to therapy so they stop behaving in a certain way, "start a new life" or change in a certain way, this is probably our personal request and an indicator of our own issues. And then it is more important to focus on our own needs and desires than force someone else to change.
- It is also crucial that the person chooses their own therapist. If a therapist has helped me a lot, it doesn't mean they are the right choice for my loved one.
- If we are talking about a teenager, whether or not to take them to a therapist is a difficult question. It is almost necessary if there has been a death or divorce in the family, if the teenager has been bullied at school or online. And rather not if a parent expects a psychologist to "fix this bad-behaving teenager" and make them obedient and calm.
- Offering psychotherapy to a loved one can be difficult because it is easy to perceive this as an accusation or judgement. The conversation will be calmer if you talk more about how you feel ("I'm worried that you're...", "I'm sad to see you feel bad after...") rather that about what your loved one is or is not and what they are doing wrong.
- If you suspect your loved one has a psychiatric diagnosis or is at risk of suicide attempt, be sure to contact a psychiatrist or psychotherapist in your town or call a hotline. Please remember that Treatfield is not an emergency service.
How to pay for someone else's psychotherapy on Treatfield
Step 1. Sign up
In order to start paying for therapy for a loved one, you need to register on the platform. That is to create an account from which payments will be deducted.
Step 2. Link your card
After registration, go to your Profile, click Edit profile, and link your bank card.
Then the email used for registration must be given to the person who will pay for the therapy. Psychotherapy at Treatfield can be done anonymously, without disclosing your name to the therapist or stating your name in your profile, but you will need your email address in order to link your personal account with your paying account.
Step 4. Link those two profiles together
The account created for payment sends an invitation to the user who will work with the psychotherapist (Profile - Edit Profile - Pay for Psychotherapy for Another User - Add User).
Step 6: The second user receives and accepts the invitation
Your friend will receive an invitation and can accept it. The accounts are now linked.
Step 7: The client chooses a therapist and makes an appointment
Now, when your relative or friend will be paying for the counselling, they can choose to pay from your card or from their personal card.
The debited account will see the payment statistics and the dates of the sessions in their profile. Payment statistics are the only information we pass on to the person, from which the payment is made.
It is not technically possible on Treatfield to limit the number of sessions per month or their cost. Therefore, any such limitations are to be discussed separately.
All clients of Treatfield choose which psychotherapist they want to work with. The platform does not appoint a therapist. If you have difficulties making your choice, we are happy to help and recommend a specialist in the corresponding field.
Please feel free to email us if you have any technical or general questions: [email protected]