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Policies at PsychInnovations.com
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These policies are for reference by those interested in publishing here, our stated ethics, and whatever else we can think of that might keep us feeling pensive when we should be out rocking the Kasbah. PsychInnovations |
Writer's Guidelines Commercial Policies Psy-I Discussion List Participants' Guidelines Policies from Health on the Net Foundation Introduction Thank you for your interest in writing for PsychInnovations. This brief article explains our editorial policies and submission guidelines. The site publishes material relevant to innovations in psychotherapy. Readers can get to articles via links placed in appropriate sections. There is presently no pay for articles. The purpose of PsychInnovations is to provide content relevant to innovations in psychotherapy for professionals or lay persons, and there are separate lists of articles and resources for each. We allow controversial materials when they serve to promote speculation on matters such as the active ingredients of successful therapy, but such articles must show an awareness of professional concerns rather than a wide-eyed credulity. The Voice To the point Our readers are so busy, that they want to feel momentum in the writing. That is, every sentence must take them somewhere helpful. It must provide valuable information or a great idea, or it must bring something to life by conveying it’s importance. Readable If you haven’t already done a lot of writing which has gotten criticism from good writers, then get some help from someone who doesn't’t know what you know, or think the way you think. If they start asking questions, you may find that what you tell them verbally is what you should have written in the first place (give or take some editing.) Distinct voice Your material should have a consistent, distinct voice. This means that the personality is unified. If you like to throw in a humorous tid bit here and there, fine. The editor will not say the piece is fluffy. If your voice is very serious, or you go to great pains to speak in plain English, fine. But keep this tone as you would expect of a speaker. Technique Starts with the big picture, and a hook if you have one Your first paragraph should convey they big picture. Why should they read this? Is it a review of the literature on a subject, or are you sharing your impressions from years of practice and training? Is it intended to teach us a technique, or help us appreciate the importance of an issue? Clarity here will help lock in the reader’s interest. The "hook" in an article is something, in addition to the subject itself, that hooks the reader. It could be the promise of an important resource, or the beginning of a fascinating case that will be resolved in the article. If you can think of a hook, provide it in the first paragraph or two. Length fits the material Edit mercilessly. Never develop an attachment to the material. Save that noble human capacity for happy, constructive people. Editing to the bones is a great exercise in freedom from ego, if you’re into that sort of thing. Content Appropriate Subjects The purpose of PsychInnovations is to support innovations in psychotherapy. This can include news, views, education, resources. The site has separate sections for the general public and for mental health professionals. You may write for either audience, or both if you can pull it off. Supported as can be reasonably expected, and honest about the degree of support If you don’t have enough research support to fill Rush Limbaugh’s humidor, what is the basis for your conclusions or values? Be humble and spit it out. If anyone faults you for that, the burden of proof is on them to counter your position, not damn you for expressing your opinion. Never simply tell us how it is. Don’t say, "The body channels energy through meridians discovered by the Chinese." Be humble and spell out why you feel this is a useful view. If you can only say that it is a theory that guides the development of your technique, then there you have it. Resources included when helpful Take the extra time to throw in some resources for learning more or getting involved. Since this is the web, you can include active links. If you don’t know how, we’ll do it for you. Just include the address (URL) of the link. Commercial content must be limited We don’t want to alienate readers with too much commercial content. Nor do we want to insult them with biased, self-serving material. If your material may be construed to promote a commercial product of any kind, including soft products such as training, be sure it does not overshadow or bias your message. If you wish link advertising with an article which is fair in it's presentation, then inquire about our commercial procedures. How to submit and format material You can submit material as an e-mail attachment in any of the following formats: plain text, Microsoft Front Page, Word Perfect, or Microsoft Word. In formats other than plain text, you may include any formatting commands, but please understand that web publishing often results in changes in appearance for a variety of reasons that cannot be controlled. These formats can be sent as file attachments via e-mail, or on disk by mail. Do not send hard copy. If you wish, you may send the text as an e-mail message. If you use Microsoft Outlook Express, you may use the available formatting commands. Do not insert special characters such as asterisks or hyphens to create formatting effects. Use only the enter key or typical formatting commands such as bold for headings. Please be conservative in formatting. PsychInnovations lists training, publications and products that are for sale. Our Board of Advisors' duty is, in part, to beat us about the head and shoulders if we allow commercial bias to interfere with our mission. Free Listings This is under development. There will be a form for submissions. Features (Extended Commercial Listings) Featured training, publications and products are listed with more extensive information. Additional features: publication of articles or other documents (up to four), listing of one or more web sites, hyperlinks to other documents and within documents, a logo or other small image. These listings require a commission on sales and that a special offer of some kind be made through PsychInnovations. This can include a publication, consultation, a discount, etc. It is necessary to ensure we are aware of purchases made through our site. Ethical, Legal and Policy Requirements All material, including
commercial listings, must adhear to ethical principles, applicable law and regulation, and
PsychInnovations policies, including writers' guidelines (above.) We reserve the right to
edit or reject any information, giving the contributor the opportunity to decline to post
modified materials. Format of Submissions If you do not understand the
following, just let us know and we'll find a way to proceed. Featured training and
products can be submitted as an e-mail attachment in HTML, Word, Word Perfect, or
Microsoft Front Page. If you supply no formatting, a plain text file is acceptable. There
must be no special characters used as a substitute for formatting (such as creating a
bulleted list using asterisks ** or hyphens --.) Formatted text may use various text sizes
and colors, but this must be tasteful. Because of limitations in viewers' monitors, avoid
the use of italics. Do not submit text via e-mail unless is is less than seventy-five
words, because it takes forever to format the line breaks this causes. Psy-I Discussion List Participants' Guidelines Topics of the List Innovations in psychotherapy, including integration of "active ingredients," professional development, protocols, case consultation, and anything else relevant to the subject. Emphasis Initially, members are coming from "power therapy" backgrounds (I know some of us dislike the term, sorry), so the emphasis is likely to be on these modalities and on energy psychology. The list will evolve along with our field, and your host will be supportive of this evolution. Membership License or license-track professionals in mental health, or non-licensed pro's in states allowing this option. Conveniences Sign off instructions will be ubiquitous, so you'll have no trouble signing off. No censorship: members can talk about integration of methods without fear of their host getting his ideological nose bent out of shape. We can also discuss products (within reason), with the confidence that those of us who aren't interested will be warned away by the subject header (explained below.) Each message comes to you separately, with it's own subject line, so you can delete or file to your heart's content. Support Did you know there are some really great ways to save a lot of time on handling e-mail, and even easily automate some tasks--without filling up your hard drive? Members will get a complete plain English e-mail message on this subject. Rules Members will receive a common-sense set of guidelines, as with any list you join. About the only problems members are likely to be censured for are attacking someone's character, repeatedly disregarding the list format instructions or staying way off topic. Format: The list policy will require
members to begin their subject line with a very brief category, and a second very brief
subtopic. Submissions should have the subject field start like these examples, then any
text can follow: This way, you'll save time by
looking only at postings that are really likely to interest you. This also gives members
the freedom to post without the host (me) feeling fussy. Policies from HON We Follow Because our site allows inclusion of articles which discuss psychotherapy procedures, we feel it is necessary to follow the policies recommended by HON. They are listed below. Health on the Net
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