Social Media Policy
Friending
I do not accept friend requests from current or former clients. This holds true on Facebook, LinkedIn, and all other social networking sites. My reasons for this are that I believe that adding clients as friends on these websites can compromise confidentiality and blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please feel free to bring them up when we meet and I’m happy to talk more about it.
Following
I currently maintain professional Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. I discourage you from following me on these accounts to protect your privacy. You are welcome to use your own discretion in choosing whether to follow me. There is nothing I post here that I would not want you to see. Please note that I will not follow you back.
Interacting
Please do not use messaging on websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to contact me. These sites are not secure and I may not read these messages in a timely fashion. If you need to contact me between sessions, the best way to do so is by phone. Direct email at Barbara [at] CreativeAndCaringCounseling.com is second best for quick, administrative issues such as changing appointment times. Please see the email section below for more information regarding email interactions.
Use of Search Engines
It is NOT a regular part of my practice to search for clients on Google or other search engines. Extremely rare exceptions to this 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 may be a circumstance in which using a search engine (to find you, find someone close to you, or to check on your status) becomes necessary as part of ensuring your welfare. These are extremely rare situations and if I resort to such means, I will document it and discuss it with you when we next meet.
Email and Text Messaging
I prefer to use email and texting only to arrange or modify appointments. Please do not use email or text to send content related to your therapy sessions, as neither is not completely secure or confidential. If you choose to communicate with me by email or text, please be aware that all emails are retained in the logs of your and my Internet service providers.
Consumer Review Sites
Counselors do not solicit or request testimonials or consumer reviews. We do not claim pages on such sites as Yelp or Healthgrades. Leaving a review compromises your confidentiality. Please refrain from leaving consumer reviews online. If you have concerns or complaints about the services you have received, please speak to me directly.
Lastly, none of this means that you cannot share that you are in therapy with me wherever and with whomever you like. Confidentiality means that I cannot tell people that you are my client and my ethics code prohibits me from requesting testimonials. But you are more than welcome to tell anyone you wish that I’m your therapist in any forum of your choosing.
Are you wondering if you would benefit from counseling?
If so, I invite you to contact me for a free consultation to help you decide. Email BarbaraCounsels@gmail.com, or call Barbara at 720-839-4720.