April 2023 by Eric B.
I occasionally receive an email from Yelp HQ telling me that a review has been removed for a variety of reasons. I deleted review involved the Hospital I was born in, for lack of personal experience! Another was an Italian review when a subsequent repost (including a light critique of the Yelp removal), landed me an email threatening not only my Elite Status, but my overall presence on the platform. Even my CM at the time agreed that the Yelp HQ reaction (of unknown identity) was little thin skinned.I just received notice this morning from Yelp HQ informing me that my previous review of Jewish & Community Services of the East Bay was removed as it wasn't clear that my review described a first hand experience. This review was an oldie from many years ago (maybe around 18 or Chai) which makes me wonder who flagged it and why. At some point, letting sleeping dogs lie regarding review QA might be a better way to go. A few points (now that Yelp HQ opened the door): 1. Maybe I got too clever (or nerdy) with a Star Trek analogy that was difficult for Yelp HQ to fully understand what I was trying to say. 2. My review very much had to do with personal experience. And since Yelp HQ didn't honor privacy considerations this time around (yes I know, on a public page), here's a few more details. It specifically, in involved marriage counselling (over multiple sessions at the Berkeley office) with my ex-wife (J). The 2 star review reflects my still held opinion that these sessions neither hurt or helped our marriage, and that at the time I wasn't all that impressed or comfortable with the services received. But maybe long-term, JFCS did me a favor. 3. I realize that writing reviews on marriage counselling can run hot and cold, depending on the outcome. However, that doesn't distract from certain painful recollections regarding therapy quality. 4. I since remarried up (with Gayle) and therapy isn't always the only choice towards a successful relationship. And we just celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. 5. See below for the original review. I still recommend Hot Yoga._______________________________________________________Gayle and I are big fans of "Being Erica" a Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) series about facing life's regrets facing those previous situations in "real" time. Things don't always turn out as one might expect, but lessons are learned and growth opportunities are offered. Erica's Therapist and Guide is Dr. Tom who at the beginning of the series presents her with a Business Card that says:Doctor Tom. The only therapy you'll ever need. Results Guaranteed.Ha! If only that were true in real life!My occasional experience with Therapy has been closer to a dialog that occurred between Captain Picard (me) and Q (a Therapist) in the "All Good Things" Episode of Star Trek - The Next Generation:Q/Therapist: The trial never ended, Captain. We never reached a verdict. But now we have. You're guilty.Eric/Capt. Picard: Guilty of what?Q/Therapist: Of being inferior. Seven years ago, I said we'd be watching you, and we have been - hoping that your ape-like race would demonstrate *some* growth, give *some* indication that your minds had room for expansion. But what have we seen instead? You, worrying about Commander Riker's career. Listening to Counselor Troi's pedantic psychobabble. Indulging Data in his witless exploration of humanity.Eric/Capt. Picard: We've journeyed to countless new worlds. We've contacted new species. We have expanded our understanding of the universe.Q/Therapist: In your own paltry, limited way. You have no *idea* how far you still have to go. But instead of using the last seven years to change and to grow, you have squandered them.My Therapy experience at or through Jewish Family Services has sometimes had some of these moments. Unfortunately, privacy considerations prevent me from saying much more. And those same privacy concerns can also be used by a wayward Therapist as a shield against any
