If you have access to the internet and have not made your way to a discussion list relevant to your profession, you are missing out on a great way to let people learn about you and your services.  These electronic mailing lists are typically subject specific and anyone who subscribes to them is allowed to post.  Your post is then emailed to everyone else on the list and they, in turn, may respond.

Discussion lists allow you to share information and news of interest among a large number of people with little effort.  (And, if you don’t find a discussion list to be useful to you, it’s easy to “unsubscribe” to them, too!) These are some of the ways that you may find them to be of use to you as you grow your private practice:

• Promote your latest project or offering.
• Gather resources.
• Seek opinions.
• Build a reputation for offering thoughtful feedback to others.
• Find colleagues with which to collaborate on future projects.
• Learn about new areas.
• Develop new interests / understanding.
• Connect with professionals in different parts of the country / world.
• Exchange ideas.

I use discussion lists (both personal and professional)

"Kids Surfing On-Line" by bebetoujours

on a weekly basis for all of the reasons listed above and want to encourage you to do the same.  On the lists that I belong to, I have gotten referrals for clients from therapists states away; I’ve sent and received volumes of resources on everything ranging from trauma and eating disorders to book lists and vacation tips; I’ve also learned about great continuing education opportunities and built name recognition for my practice at the same time!

Here are several of the professional discussion lists that I belong to:

• POWR-L is a discussion list focused on the psychology of women.  This list, hosted by the Association for Women in Psychology, is a dynamic and resource-focused list .  Membership in AWP is not required in order to join the discussion list.

• Counselors at Yahoo is open to behavioral heath professionals and students. Another dynamic and active forum that is very friendly to students and new professionals.

• Warren Corsen III’s Counseling Resources is open to clinical professionals, students, and educators in counseling and related fields.  Another student-friendly list emphasizing graduate and doctoral students.

• Boulder Psychotherapy Institute’s Networking List is primarily focused on resources / continuing education / networking opportunities within the State of Colorado for mental health professionals.

• Dramatherapy List is for individuals interested in drama therapy.  Although it is hosted by the National Association for Drama Therapy, membership in NADT is not required for joining this listserv.

If you decide to join an on line discussion group, you should know that every list has its own culture and most lists have a set of rules to abide by.  As with any other group that you choose to join, it is advisable to know the guidelines and expectations from the beginning.  Sign up and sit back for a few weeks just to audit the group and get a feel for the on line culture.  Once you are ready and have a burning question or thoughtful comment to offer, you are ready to jump right in!

Do you know of other professional discussion lists that may be of interest to mental health professionals?  If so, I hope you will share them with us here.  If enough of you respond, I will be happy to compile the list and re-post into one massive list for easy access!