I can attest that the mental health field is gathering massive data. Young therapists, who don’t know any better, are told by insurance companies , they have to enter case notes into the billing database, or they won’t get paid. Young therapists sign on to scheduling, and billing systems to make their lives easier and get client referrals. These “systems” email new clients with tests and assessments and intake forms, which new clients fill out on line. All of this data is captured and both clients and therapists are told it is private and protected. (Yeah right) To bill, the clients must use a credit card for their co pay, and the therapist must use the systems scheduler to set up billing. Therefore, the system now knows how often a person goes to therapy, what the diagnosis is, what they pay, and sometimes the therapists notes and assessments. I have talked to several young therapists about this, and they look aghast and say, “wow, I never thought about that.” The core of therapy is privacy and confidentiality. It’s worse with people who see a therapist online. They say they don’t record the session, but they have the ability to do so. If you need to talk to a counselor, therapist, psychologist, I recommend you see them in person, ask them if they keep records online, only do assessments on paper. And pay with cash. Many people have a sliding scale fee. Ask that if they do bill insurance, that they do not ever put any of their case notes or assessments in the system. Note that many doctors will instantly do a depression assessment with the paperwork. You don’t have to fill it out. The matrix has you if you see a doctor, and now it’s getting you with therapists.