Social Media Policy | BCACC

Legal Requirements
The BCACC (British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors) requires all Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) who use social networking platforms to maintain a Social Media Policy. Please take the time to review this document so you understand my approach to online interactions and what you can expect. This policy may be updated to reflect any changes to BCACC standards regarding the use of social media.

Friending and Connecting
To protect your confidentiality and maintain the integrity of our therapeutic relationship, I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking sites. I also do not follow clients on social media platforms. Engaging in online connections can blur therapeutic boundaries and compromise both your privacy and mine.

If a client attempts to follow one of my personal accounts, they will be removed and may be restricted on the respective platform. When necessary, I may take appropriate action according to community guidelines. If you have questions or concerns about this, feel free to raise them in session.

Following
I occasionally share updates, wellness information, and therapy-related content on my website and professional social media profiles. You are under no obligation to follow or interact with these profiles. However, if you use a recognizable name and I happen to notice that you have followed me, we may briefly discuss it to ensure it does not impact our therapeutic work.

My primary concern is your privacy. If you prefer to follow me without creating a public link, you are welcome to do so using a pseudonymous or private account. Please note that I will not follow current or former clients on blogs or social media. Viewing your personal online content outside of sessions, without clear consent or therapeutic purpose, could impact the neutrality of our work together.

If there are aspects of your online life you wish to discuss, I encourage you to bring them into our sessions, where we can explore them in a confidential setting.

Interacting
Please avoid using messaging features on social networking sites to contact me for therapeutic purposes. These platforms are not secure, and I may not check or respond to messages promptly.

If you engage with me publicly online (such as through posts, comments, or mentions), please be aware that this could compromise your confidentiality. Additionally, any such interactions may become part of your clinical record.

For communication between sessions, the most secure methods are phone or email. Administrative matters, like scheduling changes, can be directed to connorburnscounselling@gmail.com during office hours. Please see the Emailing section below for more details.

Use of Search Engines
It is not a regular part of my practice to search for clients online. In extremely rare circumstances—such as if I have reason to believe you are at risk and have been unreachable through regular means—I may use search engines to attempt to ensure your safety. If this occurs, I will document the event and discuss it with you at the next available opportunity.

Business Review Sites
You may find my practice listed on sites like Google, Psychology Today, Yelp, or Bing, often without my participation. Please know that any listing is not a request for testimonials, ratings, or endorsements.

The BCACC's ethical standards prohibit RCCs from soliciting testimonials from clients or anyone who may be vulnerable to undue influence.

While you are free to express yourself on any platform you choose, confidentiality limits my ability to respond to any online reviews—whether positive or negative. I encourage you to prioritize your privacy if you choose to post a review, and to consider using a pseudonym not linked to your real name or email.

If you have feedback about our work together, I invite you to bring it into session. Discussing your experiences directly can be a meaningful and important part of therapy, even if you ultimately decide that we are not a good fit.

Location-Based Services
If you use location-based services on your mobile device, please be aware of potential privacy risks. "Checking in" at or near my office could inadvertently disclose that you are receiving therapy. Be mindful of your app settings and the information you may be sharing publicly.

Emailing
I prefer to use email exclusively for administrative purposes, such as scheduling or modifying appointments. Please do not email therapeutic content, as email communication is not fully secure or confidential.

Emails are retained by internet service providers and, although unlikely, could theoretically be accessed. Additionally, any emails sent or received become part of your clinical record.

Therapeutic material should be discussed in session, not through email. Clients requesting regular therapeutic communication outside of sessions may be billed in 15-minute increments for the time spent responding.

Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to review this Social Media Policy. If you have any questions or concerns about these guidelines or any potential online interactions, I encourage you to bring them up during our sessions so we can address them together!