SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

This Social Media Policy outlines how social media interactions are managed in order to protect your confidentiality, maintain clear therapeutic boundaries, and uphold professional ethical standards. Please read this information carefully.

Purpose of This Policy

The aim of this policy is to:

  • Protect your privacy and confidentiality

  • Maintain a professional therapeutic relationship

  • Ensure clear and healthy boundaries

  • Comply with AHPRA, APS, and Australian psychological ethics guidelines

No Client–Therapist Connections on Social Media

To protect your privacy and maintain appropriate boundaries, your psychologist will not:

  • Accept friend requests or follow clients on social media

  • Initiate any social media connection

  • Comment on client posts or profiles

  • Engage in personal messaging through social media platforms

This includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and similar platforms.

Direct Messaging and Contact

Please do not use social media messaging (Instagram DM, Facebook Messenger, etc.) for:

  • Questions about your mental health

  • Appointment scheduling

  • Sharing personal information

  • Therapeutic support

These platforms are not secure.

For all communication, please contact the clinic via:

  • Email

  • Phone

  • Your Zanda client portal

Protecting Your Confidentiality

Engaging with or commenting on the clinic’s social media pages may make your identity as a client public.
Although you are able to engage how you wish and exercise your autonomy, please keep in mind that if you wish to protect your privacy, avoid:

  • Commenting on posts in a way that reveals your treatment

  • Tagging or mentioning the clinic in personal posts related to therapy

  • Writing testimonials or reviews on public platforms

Under AHPRA guidelines, practitioners cannot accept, encourage, or feature client testimonials.

Following the Clinic Page

You are welcome to follow the clinic’s professional social media accounts, which share general mental health information, resources, and updates.
Following the account will not be acknowledged in session unless you initiate the conversation.

Sharing and Educational Content

Educational posts or resources shared on social media:

  • Are not a substitute for therapy

  • Are general information only

  • Do not create a therapeutic relationship

  • Should not be used for crisis support

If you are in crisis, please contact emergency services or a crisis support service immediately.

Boundary Responsibilities

Your psychologist’s role is to maintain a consistent, safe, and professional therapeutic boundary.
If content appears on social media that may blur boundaries or affect therapy, this may be brought up in session for clarification.

Changes to the Policy

This policy may be updated periodically to remain aligned with ethical and legal guidelines. Any changes will be posted publicly on the clinic website or on the client portal.

Acknowledgement

By engaging with Courtney Ah Shay Psychology, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Social Media Policy.