It's a mental health network, it's a blog, it's a self help community, it's a resource for professionals. Wait - I'll throw in a couple of Ginsu knives and call it... PsychCentral.com. Better yet - it already exists - since 1992.In 2009, Psych Central blogged about the 10 most influential psychology focused tweeters on Twitter. Their list bears repeating here along with some added thoughts from yours truly.
PsychCentral used 7 criteria to narrow the field:
- NO marketing (including “free” e-books, how-to guides, etc.)
- not just “broadcasting” or re-feeding, follows others and reads their feeds
- interacts with followers, replies to people
- shares more than just factoids, quotes, or pop psych aphorisms
- active but not overactive
- not too off-topic, talks mostly about psychology, psychotherapy and/or mental health
- humour, taste, talent, good writing and personality
10. @mtabraham Terri Abraham is a professional counselor who shares positive thoughts and info on mindfulness therapy and spirituality. Chatty and responsive even with thousands of followers.
9. @loveisthecure5 “Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Movement Leader.” Love is The Cure is completely peer-driven. It’s positive, directly supportive, promotes awareness while fighting stigma, and offers cool volunteer opportunities through building a network.
8. @deborahserani Dr. Deborah Serani shares cool links on a wide variety of psychology-related subjects.
7. @therapyonline “A wide lens is cast at the Online Therapy Institute ranging from email and chat to videoconferencing and Second Life.” DeeAnna Merz Nagel maintains this popular account with a focus that’s business-to-business for professionals who offer online therapy. DeeAnna, you should be number one - what can I say? I am a fan.
6. @shiftstigma “Shift believes that people with a history of mental health problems should have the same chances and opportunities as everyone else.” For anyone concerned about stigma - this awesome UK charity keeps an active Twitter account with lots of thought-provoking info and a friendly, accessible tone. They reply to followers and initiate conversations too.
5. @iopsychology Gordon B. Schmidt is an Industrial-Organizational Psychology grad student at Michigan State University. He writes about research and shares the work of other tweeps and bloggers in the field.
4. @drdavidballard “Head of Corporate Relations and Business Strategy at the American Psychological Association." Dr. Ballard is thought provoking, interactive, shares great news links and writes well. David - props to you - I was already a follower.
3. @drkathleenyoung “Licensed Clinical Psychologist Treating Trauma in Chicago.” Her practice (and Twitter & blog focus) is on PTSD, domestic violence, sexual assault, and trauma in general.
2. @kidtherapist “Children’s Therapist and Author of Kids Awareness Series Books.” Kara, where were you when my kids were younger?
1. @drkkolmes “Clinical psychologist in private practice specializing in anxiety, depression, relationships, sexuality and the intersection of technology and mental health.” Very in tune with the net culture zeitgeist. And we need more of those. She challenges paradigms and explores boundaries in questions like: Should you “friend” your therapist? Read her blog? Should a therapist Google a client?
Ten tweeps I will be following in the second decade of the 21st Century.
PS The guy pictured on the right is Hugo Münsterberg. Thank you @iopsychology for another fun fact.
I've enjoyed looking thru these blogs. However, you're wrong about the first criteria, NO marketing (including “free” e-books, how-to guides, etc.) OR some of those blogs have a lot to gain from marketing.
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