Although empirical research on online searches by laypersons about psychotherapists has only a brief history, several findings have emerged: many clients conduct such searches, these searches yield both personal and professional information, and that information can have a noteworthy impact. To date, no study has explored the impact of the many specific pieces of psychotherapist information that an online search may yield. Such an exploration was the purpose of the current study, with a special focus on the possibility that certain pieces of information may function as "dealbreakers" or "dealmakers." In other words, they may be especially powerful in increasing or decreasing prospective clients' likelihood of contacting the psychotherapist. Participants (n = 215) responded to an original questionnaire including 118 discrete pieces of information about a psychotherapist that prospective clients might find via online search, spanning professional (e.g., specializations and expertise; education, experience, and credentials; ethical and legal problems), personal (e.g., religious beliefs and practices; political views; sexuality issues; appearance), logistical (e.g., office location; insurance acceptance), and other types of information. Results indicate that although a few professional and logistical items did have mildly or moderately high collective impact, clear-cut collective "dealbreakers" or "dealmakers" are rare. However, individual "dealbreakers" and "dealmakers" appear quite common, suggesting that each prospective client may be strongly influenced idiosyncratically by specific pieces of information. Implications for practitioners, including the acknowledgment of the high likelihood of online searches by prospective clients and the importance of monitoring and managing their own online presence, are discussed. Clinical Impact StatementProspective clients are very likely to conduct an online search of a psychotherapist's name, and that search may yield both personal and professional information. Because some pieces of information may have an especially powerful positive or negative impact on a prospective client's likelihood of contacting a particular psychotherapist, it would be wise for psychotherapists to monitor and manage their own digital presence.
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