Our Publishing Principles
At the Therapy Group of Charlotte, we publish mental health content for people who are trying to understand what they’re going through and figure out whether therapy might help. Because this content influences real health decisions, these principles govern everything we publish.
Who Stands Behind Our Content
Every article on this site is reviewed, edited, and approved by doctoral-level mental health professionals who are actively practicing clinicians.
Our primary clinical reviewers are:
Dr. Brad Brenner, Ph.D. — Co-founder of Therapy Group of Charlotte, founder of Therapy Group of DC, and co-founder of WithTherapy. Counseling psychologist with a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland and an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge. Recipient of the John D. Black Award for Outstanding Contribution (2013) and the Mid-Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Counseling Psychology (2019).
Dr. Keith Clemson, Ph.D. — Co-founder of Therapy Group of Charlotte, Therapy Group of DC, and WithTherapy. Marriage and family therapist with a Ph.D. from Saint Louis University in Counseling and Family Therapy and an M.Ed. from the University of Missouri at Saint Louis.
Dr. Brenner and Dr. Clemson oversee the clinical direction of the practice and consult on our psychology externship and postdoctoral training program. The clinicians on our Charlotte team are licensed in North Carolina and maintain active practices, and the perspectives in our articles come from direct clinical experience and ongoing involvement in client care.
How We Source and Cite Evidence
Mental health content can influence real decisions about care, which means inaccurate information can cause real harm. We take sourcing seriously.
Primary research sources: We cite peer-reviewed studies indexed in PubMed, APA PsycInfo, and other major research databases, from journals like JAMA, The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, the Journal of Counseling Psychology, and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. Citations usually link directly to the original source so readers can verify claims independently.
Clinical evidence tools: We use our experience, training, and tools such as Scite and Open Evidence — clinical research platforms — to identify the strongest available evidence for treatment claims. This helps us weigh treatment claims against the broader body of evidence rather than single studies.
Our bar for evidence: When we reference statistics or treatment outcomes, they come from published research with identifiable authors and methodology.
Our Editorial Process
Before publication: Every article is reviewed by at least one doctoral-level clinician for clinical accuracy, appropriate nuance, and responsible framing of mental health topics. We check that treatment claims are supported by the cited research and that language doesn’t overstate what the evidence shows.
AI-assisted writing: We use AI tools to assist with research organization, drafting, and content optimization. Every article is reviewed, edited, and approved by our clinicians before publication. AI helps us work more efficiently; it does not replace clinical judgment. No article is published without a named doctoral-level clinician who stands behind its content. That’s why our bylines read “Clinically reviewed by” rather than “written by” — the clinician named on an article is the one who reviewed, edited, and approved what you’re reading.
Search optimization: We structure and optimize articles so the people looking for this information can actually find them. When search visibility and clinical accuracy conflict, accuracy comes first.
How We Handle Updates and Corrections
Content updates: Mental health research evolves. When significant new findings emerge — updated treatment guidelines, new meta-analyses, or revised clinical recommendations — we update existing articles rather than leaving outdated information online. Updated articles display a revised date.
Corrections: If we publish something inaccurate, we correct it promptly. If you identify an error in any of our content, please contact us at contact [at] therapistsincharlotte [dot] com with the article URL and the specific concern. We will review it within 5 business days and publish a correction if warranted.
Transparency about limitations: Where research is preliminary, where evidence is mixed, or where our clinical opinion differs from consensus, we say so explicitly.
Ethical Standards
As licensed mental health professionals, our content is governed by the same ethical principles that guide our clinical work:
No fearmongering. We describe symptoms and conditions accurately, without exaggerating severity.
No false promises. Therapy helps many people, but outcomes vary. We present research on what works, including response rates and limitations, so readers can set realistic expectations.
No pathologizing normal experience. Not every difficult emotion is a disorder. Our content distinguishes between normal human struggle and clinical conditions that benefit from professional support.
Responsible crisis content. Articles that touch on self-harm, suicidal ideation, or acute distress include appropriate resources and clear guidance on when to seek immediate help.
Independence and Transparency
We maintain full editorial independence. Our content is not sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, insurance providers, or any external organization. We have no affiliate relationships that influence what we publish.
When we cover therapeutic approaches, we lay out what they involve, what they’re good for, and what the research says — guided by the evidence and our clinical experience.
Our practice is out-of-network with insurance providers, and we say so plainly in our content and on our payment page, so readers know what to expect before reaching out.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation
Our content is developed with awareness that mental health experiences differ across identities, cultures, and life circumstances. We approach topics with cultural sensitivity, represent diverse perspectives, and avoid pathologizing culturally specific experiences.
Our Charlotte team’s specializations include LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, and our commitment to person-centered, individualized, inclusive care shapes what we publish and how we frame it.
We periodically review our published content to ensure it remains inclusive and does not inadvertently reinforce harmful stereotypes or assumptions.
Questions About Our Content
If you have questions about our editorial process, want to flag a concern about a specific article, or would like to suggest a topic, reach out to us at contact [at] therapistsincharlotte [dot] com. We read every message.