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Editorial Process & Fact-Checking Standards

The Treatment Specialist publishes mental health and addiction-recovery resources to help individuals and families find appropriate care. Because our content covers Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) topics where accuracy directly impacts well-being, we hold our editorial process to a clear, public standard. This page explains how our content is researched, written, reviewed, updated, and corrected.

Editorial Leadership

Our editorial program is led by Marissa Katrin, MBA, who oversees content strategy, sourcing standards, and quality control across the site. Marissa leads SEO and editorial at Relative Marketing Group, an agency specializing in marketing for mental health and addiction treatment providers. The wider editorial team includes professional writers and content specialists with subject-matter focus on behavioral health.

Sourcing Standards

All clinical and treatment-related content on this site is researched against authoritative primary and secondary sources, including:

  • The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) for diagnostic criteria, prevalence data, and treatment guidance.
  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for addiction treatment standards and recovery research.
  • The American Psychological Association (APA) and the DSM-5 for diagnostic frameworks.
  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book for disability-benefit content.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the U.S. Department of Education for protections and accommodations content.
  • Peer-reviewed medical and psychological literature, with a preference for sources indexed in PubMed.

We cite outbound to authoritative sources directly within the body of our articles whenever a specific claim, statistic, or treatment recommendation is involved.

Content Review

Every published article is reviewed for factual accuracy, clarity, and adherence to our sourcing standards before publication. Updates are made when:

  • New peer-reviewed research changes our understanding of a condition or treatment.
  • Government agencies (NIMH, SAMHSA, SSA, ADA, VA) update their guidance.
  • A reader or stakeholder identifies an inaccuracy.
  • Annual review identifies content that has aged out of currency.

Article publication and modification dates are visible on each post.

What We Are and Are Not

The Treatment Specialist is an informational resource and treatment-locator service. We help people find evidence-based mental health and addiction treatment programs through our network of vetted providers.

We are not a clinical care provider, diagnostic service, legal advisor, or financial advisor. Information published on this site is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, treatment recommendation, legal counsel, or financial guidance. Always consult a licensed clinician, attorney, or financial professional for advice specific to your situation.

Reporting Errors and Suggesting Corrections

If you find a factual inaccuracy or believe content should be updated, please contact us at our contact page or by phone at 866-644-7911. We review every correction request and update content where appropriate.

Crisis and Safety

If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, do not rely on online resources for emergency help. In the United States, dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or 911 for emergency services.

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