The use of social media has become increasingly prevalent in modern life, and this trend has had a major impact on many aspects of society, including the field of mental health. As a result, the ethical considerations of clinical social workers using social media in their practice have become increasingly important. In this blog post, we’ll delve deeper into the ethical implications of therapists using social media, provide tips for best practices to protect client privacy and maintain professional boundaries, and explore the complexities of digital communication in the therapeutic relationship.
First, it’s important to understand the NASW Code of Ethics and how it applies to therapists using social media. According to the Code, clinical social workers have a professional duty to demonstrate ethical conduct when using social media. This means following the same ethical guidelines that apply to in-person therapy and taking steps to protect the privacy of clients.
For example, in section 1.06 Conflicts of Interest, the code states, “Social workers should be aware that personal affiliations may increase the likelihood that clients may discover the social worker’s presence on Websites, social media, and other forms of technology. Social workers should be aware that involvement in electronic communication with groups based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical ability, religion, immigration status, and other personal affiliations may affect their ability to work effectively with particular clients.”
The code also goes on to advise clinical social workers should avoid accepting requests from or engaging in personal relationships with clients on social networking sites in order to prevent boundary confusion, dual relationships, and harm to clients.
So should you accept that friend request from your client? The NASW Code of Ethics says no.
On the topic of boundaries, it’s important to refrain from giving medical or mental health advice or promoting personal products or services. Therapists should also be mindful of the potential for clients to be influenced by online activities and take steps to prevent any harm that may result from such interactions. While sharing articles and other information on your business page may be useful, it’s important to note that such resources do not take the place of mental health treatment or therapy.
Social workers are also prohibited from engaging in uninvited solicitation of potential clients. They also cannot ask current or former clients to provide a testimonial or review.
This comes from section 4.07 of the NASW Code of Ethics, where they maintain that “clients are vulnerable to undue influence.”
Many potential clients like to see positive reviews and prefer a “5-star” therapist, however, as professionals, we cannot ask a client to leave us a review.
It is clear that the use of social media in therapy brings with it a unique set of ethical considerations for therapists. It is important for therapists to understand the potential unethical uses of social media in order to prevent any issues from arising during their practice and to ensure that they are providing a safe and positive therapeutic environment for their clients.
