Mental health attorney, Denis Lane, was kind enough to answer my call for a mental health attorney that could respond to The Washington Post article that addressed social networking here. Denis has responded by addressing problems associated with therapists’ personal information being posted on the internet.
The Washington Post
article was very thought provoking. Some of the potential problems referenced in the article were obvious. Psychiatrists and psychologists related having their clients mention to them that they have visited a Facebook page and had obtained personal information concerning the treatment provider or their family members. These treatment providers clearly felt that their privacy had been invaded.
From an ethical perspective, what is the problem that results when clients can access personal information concerning a treatment provider online? The Code of Ethics for the National Association for Addiction Professionals, NAADAC, provides in Principle 1 that a counselor should not bring their personal information into the professional relationship.
When therapists discuss experiences, feelings, and history in an extremely personal way while blogging or posting their information on the internet where clients can gain access to the information, it can lead to problems in treatment and in the professional relationship. ‘Familiarity breeds contempt,’ and for clients to gain access to too much personal information concerning a therapist can undermine the professional relationship and reduce a counselor’s effectiveness in providing treatment.
A professional relationship is a powerful force. Counselors need to maintain that power, and not diminish it by posting personal information online which clients can access.”
[You may reach Denis K. Lane, Jr., Attorney at Law at 1912 West Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904, Tele: 719-636-1017 Fax: 719-635-4571]
Thanks for this information. I am not sure that I agree with all of it but I find all of it thought provoking. I will use as part of my handout packet in my ethics training workshop tomorrow.
Welcome back, Karen! Thanks for the comment. I would be interested to know what doesn’t ring true for you. As for me . . . I’m still trying to figure out what that line is for myself so all opinions are welcome!
(And, after all this time, I’m still wishing that I lived closer to that fabulous community that you have built. Sorry to miss any training of yours!)
It will be interesting how social media shapes our culture. It is becoming more and more important to be able to monitor the information that circulates about us in this interconnected world. Facebook and many social media sites provide settings that control who has access to information.
Hi, Tomas! Thanks for dropping in! It absolutely is important for mental health professionals to be connected via social media. I’m not as comfortable with the privacy settings on Facebook as with some other forms of social media. Nevertheless, it is important to keep up with these changes. I’m sure they will improve over time. And, therapists who have dismissed them as mere fads will be left behind.
On a different note, I notice that you have listed the Washington Counselor Directory. Thanks so much! I’ll be happy to add it to the list I just published.
Tomas, I hope you’ll be back to my blog often and take time to comment as we continue to build our online community! I look forward to chatting with you!
Given that we’re speaking about things within the region of Mental Health Attorney Responds to Social Media Concerns | Private Practice from the Inside Out, The law does not just operate in criminal spheres, nor is it confined to merely constitutional matters together with the distribution of power.
Hi and welcome to Private Practice from the Inside Out! It’s always good to have a new voice here in our online community!
Alexandra! Thanks for dropping in to Private Practice from the Inside Out and linking to my post! I just surfed over to check out your site. It’s lovely, full of optimism, and I’ll be back!