The therapies forum

[Scarlette Jones]

I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but as a long time reader of these forums, there is something I feel I have to raise.
The main reason I dont post on the forum very much, is that it seems to me that unless you are part of the 'gang', your input is not welcome.
New members are welcomed if they are asking for advice, but experienced therapists with opinions to add, are either shot down in flames, or are followed around by moderators who want to add their two pennyworth as though their views are the only one's that are valid.
I am a member of a couple of forums, and although you always get a bit of a clique amongst people who have been members a long time and have 'gotten friendly' it is very, very noticable on here.
This applies to the 'Therapy Forum ' in the main. It doesnt seem to happen in other areas of the forum.
Sorry - just my opinion

 

[cruinispasp]

Hi Vatika,

Hey, you're entitled to your opinion and if this has been bugging you, it's better out than in.

Please, can I just ask you a couple of questions?

Is this something that you have just generally observed happening to newer therapist members and has it included you? I ask this because I've felt a bit "miffed" for want of a better word in the past and ultimately it did come down to e-communications not being the best medium to communicate at times. (As I type this I wonder how another person will read it - will it be the way it is meant), but I don't want to appear to make light of what you're saying either.

Is it all the therapy forums, or just specific ones?

LOL

FBX

 

[Banquetfm]

As a recently newish member, I have to say that I have never felt that way, or seen anybody else that I felt was treated in that way.

Do you have any examples? I have always felt that it was worth while answering any post that I felt I had an opinion on, or advice to give someone - or just to say that I didn't know.

Surely this is how we all add our help and advice - if someone else has something to add after me, or to differ from what I say, then I welcome that as something that I too can learn from.

Sure, there are regulars who answer more frequently - perhaps just because they have more time and are online more.

Just my opinion!

Karen x

 

[MarTamieia]

Thank you for your post Vatika

Obviously moderators have to read the posts here that is how it is kept such a good place to be. If a moderator is also trained or has an opinion on a post we are also entitled to post as MEMBERS and these are the persons own views...

I have no knowledge who you are referring too - it may even be me and too be honest I do not want any grievances aired in a public forum.

If you do have a problem with anyone the moderators and admin team are here for you to contact.

Obviously when you are a regular poster and contributer you do make friends more so than with someone who doesnt come here so often but this does not mean that posts are overlooks or disregarded as long as they fall within the HP rules and guidelines which we ALL have to adhere too.

Tiger

FB, you dont come across the wrong way mate, I know what you mean.

 

[cnejiuexiwxixfeom]

Hi Vatika

I'm so sorry you feel that way, especially about the therapies forum.

I spend a lot of time on the therapies forum, firstly as a therapist, but also as a mod, but only because it is one of my favourite areas of HP and I only contribute where I feel I have some knowledge and input.

People do get very passionate and maybe a little possessive about their own therapies, but I think that is from witnessing such fantastic results from them. I'm sure no-one intends to exclude anyone else from these forums. Different people have different styles of posting and this doesn't always come over well in print.

If there are some of us that seem to dominate, it's only, as Karen says, we spend more time online.

Everyone is truly welcome to contribute to all the forums on HP, providing they do so within the Guidelines.

If you have any specific issues, please take this up with the moderators where we will look at the problem objectively.

Thanks for your views.

Lesley

 

[holamide]

Hi Vatika .. having been a member of HP for a very long time, observing many new comers
& long established contributors participate & experience many differing phases & levels of communication
growth, friendships, personal & professional experiences exchanged, formed or perhaps at times lost etc
Please may I offer some thoughts for you to mull over . . speaking as a non gang member

.. and I dont actually notice that kind of group clique
- but then many things like that don't resonate personally
ie. if there is a cliique or cliques
- it doesnt matter to how I post as I believe in what I ramble/ say
whatever anyones reply is - simply is their opinion - just like mine
- which may or may not resonate
but it doesnt have to scratch deeper than the surface ie it still belongs to them
although I may be thankful for reply it may or may not be of use, may or may not agree etc

Your vews & input are as valuable as everyones elses.
Please - hang around a little longer - perhaps look at things a little differently
ie. it doesn't persoanlly matter what others write its what you write that counts.
I'm guessing none of the moderators would want to be classified within cliques
- thats not what moderating is about.

Naturally you will get along with some much more than others
give HP another chance, contribute more & I'm sure you will experience
how it feels to be part of HP.
For each & very person can contribute & should feel comfortably welcomed
from virtual detached perspectives.
Hope you stay . .

 

[Greshnab]

Hi Vatika

I'm sorry that you feel this way because I honestly don't see it. I have been a user of HP for over three years now and a Moderator for a few months and this has never been mentioned before. In fact, a lot of new members on the therapies forums often come on to say what a friendly place it is and how grateful they are for advice.

But then I don't worry about being part of a clique, I just get involved and I think that is what others do too so I am surprised that you feel this way.

Your posts and opinions are as valuable as anybody else's and everybody has the right to agree or disagree and I think the Therapies Forums are generally free of any of this.

FunnyBunny makes a good point. This kind of communication is often misunderstood and people get upset when maybe they shouldn't. But we are all human and we have all been there.

I personally think that HP is the best Forum around and it knocks spots off other forums so I don't even bother to use any others.

As said before, if you have a concern about a moderator 'following' somebody around you are free to mention it. But I can honestly say that combining being a member and a moderator is quite hard work and we just don't have the time or the inclination to do this. We are too busy trying to keep the forums friendly and free of stuff that isn't wanted on here and that keeps it to the high standard that we are used to.

Your comments haven't offended at all and you are welcome to speak your mind but I do hope that you will change your mind on this issue and stick around and make lots of friends and benefit from sharing your views.

 

[Abs]

Hi Vatika

I can see that it might appear like that, and its obvious at times that some people have known each other longer and may have a closer friendship/relationship. Perhaps they have seen each other 'in real life'. We're all human not only existing in 'cyber space'

Its like all life really, you meet new people and its all a bit of getting to know each other, which takes a little time and also getting used to peoples style. The dynamics are the same wherever you are. At school, in the office, amongst friends.

Having a good sense of humour and respecting other peoples opinions is really important also not taking offence if someone doesn't completely agree with you, which is bound to happen.

Perhaps newcomers could put a bit more about themselves in their profiles I tend to look at them and if all it contains is an email address or name it doesn't give you much to go on, after all most of us are very identifiable and it helps to feel you are talking to a 'bona fide' person, especially when discussing therapies.

I have learnt a huge amount from my 'colleagues' and I hope friends on here, and when you work at home on your own most of the time it is really nice to feel there are others who are there to give you advice and help when needed.

Welcome,

Jan x

 

[sadistic_czech]

I have been coming here for a long time and people are generally helpful if you have a question but i know what you mean about there being a gang /clique or whatever you want to call it.
It doesn't bother me tho, thats life in the real world as well as in the virtual world.
On occasion when things seem a little tense in the posts i stop visiting and pop back to see if things have settled if they have i join in again.