This Social Media Policy outlines the ethical and professional guidelines and policies for using social media platforms in relation to the therapeutic work/Lumen Psychotherapy. The goal is to maintain a clear, respectful, and safe boundary between personal and professional interactions, ensuring that both clients and the therapist (Amy) are treated with the utmost respect and privacy.

Please read through the policy details to understand how Amy conducts herself on the internet as a psychotherapist and what you can expect from her in these settings.

1. Friending on Social Media

Amy does not accept friend requests or contact requests from any current or past clients on personal social media accounts. The nature of the therapist-client relationship requires maintaining clear boundaries, and connecting on social media can blur these lines.

Amy may accept requests or connection requests via her business social media profiles if the request is related to professional inquiries, educational content, or business-related interactions.

Personal relationships will remain separate from professional roles.

2. Following on Social Media

Client Privacy: Amy does not follow clients on social media accounts to ensure their privacy and protect the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship.

Professional Accounts: The account associated with Lumen Psychotherapy may follow other professionals, businesses, or relevant entities (e.g., mental health organizations, professional associations) to stay informed and engage in meaningful conversations within the industry.

3. Interacting on Social Media

Engagement with Clients: Direct interactions on social media with current or past clients will be avoided. While Amy and a client may like or share public posts related to mental health topics, she will refrain from commenting or responding to personal posts of clients. This is done to maintain the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

Professional Content: Amy welcomes clients following the Lumen Psychotherapy professional accounts for updates, articles, resources, and relevant mental health information. Clients or potential clients can engage with public posts, but this will remain professional and educational in nature.

Confidentiality: Amy will not share any identifiable information related to clients in any post, comment, or interaction on social media. Client confidentiality is a priority, and social media platforms are not appropriate for sharing therapeutic content or personal information.

4. Business Review Sites

Review Policy: Amy understands that clients may want to leave feedback or reviews after working with her. She welcomes constructive feedback but reminds clients that it is not appropriate to share sensitive, confidential, or specific therapeutic details in reviews. She encourages clients to share general impressions and experiences.

Response to Reviews: Response to reviews will be professional and in line with confidentiality and privacy standards. Any response to a review will remain non-specific, ensuring that no details of the client's treatment or personal information are disclosed. If a review raises concerns, Amy may invite the reviewer to contact her privately to discuss their feedback further.

Encouraging Reviews: Amy invites clients to leave reviews if they feel comfortable doing so, but she does not solicit or incentivize reviews. Clients should feel free to share their experience based on their own comfort level and desire to do so.

Third-Party Platforms: Amy adheres to the guidelines of review sites and social media platforms when responding to or requesting reviews. She respects both the privacy of her clients and the policies of third-party platforms.

Additional Considerations

Crisis and Emergency: Social media is not a platform for crisis management or therapy. Amy encourages individuals in distress to seek immediate professional help through the appropriate channels, such as calling emergency services.

By adhering to this policy, the goal is to create a safe, ethical, and professional space both online and offline, ensuring the trust and confidentiality that are foundational to the therapeutic relationship.

Lumen Psychotherapy | Effective Date: 28/03/2025