Social Media Policy
This social media policy document outlines my policies related to use of Social Media. Please read it to understand how I conduct myself on the Internet as a mental health professional and how you can expect me to respond to various interactions that may occur between us on the Internet.
If you have any questions about anything within this document, I encourage you to bring them up when we meet. As new technology develops and the Internet changes, there may be times when I need to update this policy. If I do so, I will notify you in writing of any policy changes and make sure you have a copy of the updated policy.
Purpose
I take my clients’ confidentiality very seriously and created this policy to ensure that clients’ privacy is maintained and respected. Many social media sites (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube) are not secure and could expose your privacy.
Personal profiles
I have a separate social media presence for business and personal purposes. My personal profiles are explicitly to maintain contact with family and close friends, mainly from abroad as this is a way of keeping in touch. I will therefore, not friend or follow any current or former clients on any of my personal social media profiles.
Professional Profiles
If any current or former client interacts with me on my business social media profiles (e.g., direct messages or commenting), I will use my discretion about my response, and if necessary, will not respond in order to protect clients’ privacy. If a client chooses to follow or post to my business profiles, they do so knowing that these interactions are public, and I cannot protect client privacy in these cases. Note that social media is not secure and therefore not appropriate to book, cancel or change appointments or discuss therapy issues. Clients should use phone or email to contact me for these purposes.
Business Review Sites
I do not expect clients to review my practice in review websites such as Yelp. Some of these sites include forums in which users rate their providers and add reviews. Many of these sites comb search engines for business listings and automatically add listings regardless of whether the business has added itself to the site. If clients should find my listing on any of these sites, please know that my listing is NOT a request for a testimonial, rating, or endorsement from clients. If, however, clients decide to write a review, due to confidentiality, I cannot respond or interact with the client. Also, clients should keep in mind that they may be sharing personally revealing information in a public forum. I urge clients to create a pseudonym that is not linked to your regular email address or friend networks for your own privacy and protection.
If you feel I have done something harmful or unethical and you do not feel comfortable discussing it with me, you can always contact my professional body UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), and they will review the services I have provided.
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
Email: complaints@ukcp.org.uk
Tel: 020 7014 9955 and select option 3
I prefer using email only to arrange or modify appointments. Clients should not email me content related to therapy sessions, as email is not completely secure or confidential. If choosing to communicate with me by email, clients should be aware that all emails are retained in the logs of our Internet service providers. While it is unlikely that someone will be looking at these logs, they are, in theory, available to be read by the system administrator(s) of the Internet service provider. Clients should also know that any emails I receive and any responses that I send become a part of the client’s legal record.
Search Engine
I do not search for clients through Google or view my clients’ social media profiles unless specifically requested to do so by the client. Extremely rare exceptions may be made during times of crisis. If I have a reason to suspect that you are in danger and you have not been in touch with me via our usual means (coming to appointments, phone, or email) there might be an instance in which using a search engine (to find you, find someone close to you, or to check on your recent status updates) becomes necessary as part of ensuring your welfare. These are unusual situations and if I ever resort to such means, I will fully document it and discuss it with you when we next meet.
Location-Based Services
Please be aware that if a client has location services enabled on their device, their confidentiality might be compromised as others may be able to determine a client’s location while in my office.
I am happy to discuss any part of this policy if you are unsure or require further information. For privacy policy click here and for cookies policy click here.
Andrea Owen
ASO Therapy Centre