photo credit: Eric Schwartzman

I’ve spent months writing about how to effectively use technology, and social media in particular, to build your private mental health practice. While the Internet has opened up exciting new ways for mental health therapists in private practice to market their practice, reach potential clients, and educate the public, it has also allowed for new ethical dilemmas.

When I first started practicing nearly two decades ago, I was concerned about my child being on the same soccer team as a client’s child, or about running into clients at parties of mutual friends. The increasing Internet usage by therapists and clients alike has created new opportunities for dual relationships online. Over the coming weeks I’ll be discussing ways to use social media ethically in the digital age.

Here are a just few examples of digital dual relationship dilemmas that therapists now face:

• “A former clients sent a ‘friend’ request on my personal Facebook page? Should I accept it?”
• “One of my clients is a friend of one of my family members on Facebook. I don’t want him to have access to my personal information, photos, etc. Is there anything I can do to protect my personal information?”
• “A client just posted a comment on my private practice Facebook page that reveals some clinical information about his symptoms. How should I handle this?”
• “A potential client sent me a direct message on Twitter inquiring about my therapy services. Is Twitter confidential? How should I respond?”
• “During an initial intake with a new client the client shared some grandiose facts about her successful work history and public accolades. Should I Google her name to see if what she’s reporting is true?”
• “I just saw that a client is following me on Pinterest. I’m not sure how I feel about her seeing boards about how I want to decorate my dream house.”
• “Should I enable or disable comments on my private practice website blog? I’m concerned that it may look like I’m encouraging clients to comment on my blog.”

I want to hear from you…

Have you faced any of these situations in your clinical practice?

What are some ethical dilemmas you’ve come across since venturing into social media?

Do you have any specific questions or ethical concerns about the impact of your online activity and it’s potential impact on the client-therapist relationship?

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (April 14, 2012)

From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (April 14, 2012)

Mental Health Social (April 14, 2012)

Timothy Lomauro (April 14, 2012)

Social Media CMO (April 14, 2012)

DeeAnna Nagel (April 14, 2012)

Jodi Milstein, MFT (April 14, 2012)

Dorlee M (April 14, 2012)

Robert Caruso (April 15, 2012)

From Psych Central's website:
Social Media Ethics (part 2): Developing Your Social Media Policy | Private Practice Toolbox (April 20, 2012)

Mark Tesch (April 23, 2012)

From Psych Central's website:
Pause Before Posting About Work On Social Media Pages (part 2) | Private Practice Toolbox (December 13, 2012)

Pause Before Posting About Work On Social Media Pages (part 2) | Julie Hanks, LCSW | Emotional Health & Relationship Expert | Media Contributor | Songwriter | Speaker (January 17, 2013)

    Last reviewed: 13 Apr 2012