This information looks at my policies about communication with clients related to the use of Social Media. Please read it to understand how I may conduct as a mental health professional and how clients can expect me to respond to interaction that may occur on the Internet to protect the privacy of the treatment, and the focus of therapeutic work together.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Psychotherapy is one of the most private self care activities clients can engage in. Some of the activities include looking at personal thoughts and feelings in a way that is different from other social or even intimate relationships outside of therapy. The success of this work depends in part on the privacy of what is discussed and awareness that the client and therapist relationship is therapeutic, objective and upholds professional boundaries. This is supported by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

To protect the private nature of this work and keep it separate from lives outside of therapy work, it is encouraged for clients not to discuss or post any information about the work completed during therapy sessions with anyone else.

Clients are able to decide what to keep confidential. I must keep my relationship with clients completely confidential except in exceptions outlined in the informed consent. Please keep in mind that if clients decide to communicate on my social media pages, it creates a greater likelihood of compromising client confidentiality as people possibly making assumptions about connections in the relationship with me.

FRIENDING

To respect privacy and confidentiality any friend requests from current or former clients are not accepted on any social networking sites.

FANNING

I have a business Facebook page which is used as a forum of information and inspiration. There is no expectation for clients to follow or provide a “like” to pages or posts. I will not engage in comments or responses on social media pages or posts.

FOLLOWING

I will not follow clients on any social media. It is on the client’s discretion and decision to follow me. If clients use an easily recognizable name and it is noticed that I am followed, I may briefly discuss it and its potential impact on the working relationship.

MESSAGING

Please do not use messaging on Social Networking sites to contact me. These sites are not secure and I may not read these messages in a timely fashion. Do not use Wall postings, @replies or other means of engaging with her in public online if there is already an established client/therapist relationship. Engaging in this way could compromise client’s confidentiality. It may also create the possibility that these exchanges become a part of the legal medical record and will need to be documented and archived in your chart. The best way to interact with me is by phone or email for administrative issues. See the email section below for more information regarding email interactions.

SEARCH ENGINE USE

I do not “Google” or look up information on the Internet on clients. It is important for me to know clients as they are in my office. If I do come across your information online, I will move on and avoid reading the content. Clients are asked to limit acquiring any other information about each other to what is discussed in the office.

BUSINESS REVIEW SITES

If clients find my listing on directory pages or forums which users rate or provide reviews, please know that it is NOT a request for a testimonial, rating or endorsement as my client. The American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code prohibits soliciting testimonials from clients. Clients do have the right to make an expression on any site. If a review is posted, I cannot respond on any of these sites whether it is positive or negative. It is urged for clients to take privacy as seriously as I take my commitment of confidentiality to clients. Clients should also be aware if these sites are used to communicate with me indirectly about feelings about the therapy work, there is a possibility she I never see it. During the therapy work together, it is hoped that clients bring any feelings and reactions directly into the therapy process. This can be an important part of therapy, even if it is decided that it is not a good fit.

LOCATION BASED SERVICES

Please be aware of privacy issues related to location based services. If GPS tracking is enabled on a client's device it is possible that others may assume that you are a therapy client due to regular check-ins at the office. Please be aware of this risk if there is an intention to “check-in” from the office or if clients have a passive location based service app enabled on a device such as a phone.

WEBSITE

Clients may find information about my psychotherapy practice on my website www.ryulcsw.com.

EMAIL

I prefer using email only to arrange or modify appointments and not contents of therapy sessions. Email is not completely secure or confidential and retained in the logs of 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 choosing to communicate with me should be aware that any emails received become a part of your legal medical record.

I appreciate the time spent in reviewing my Social Media Policy. If there are any questions or concerns about any of these policies, it is encouraged to bring them to my attention so that it can be discussed together.