Social Media and Public Online Presence

Social media is a consistent and growing part of life for almost all of us. I will update this statement as needed to accommodate technological and social media advancements.

I maintain a public professional and creative presence through Live Beyond 27, which hosts The 27 Project as well as my music photography, journalism, mental health awareness, advocacy, and educational content. Although I am also a practicing psychotherapist, Live Beyond 27, The 27 Project, and any other professional/advocacy projects are distinct from the psychotherapy services provided through Opus Counseling & Consulting. Any Instagram and Facebook accounts associated are not channels for psychotherapy, individualized clinical advice, or treatment-related communication. Content shared through these accounts is not a substitute for individualized mental health care.

While many ethical and boundary issues include some “gray area” and require case-by-case consideration and professional consultation, I adhere to the guidance provided by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and relevant state board policies for the states in which I am licensed regarding social media presence.

Public Content and Client Privacy

Because Live Beyond 27 is a public platform, current or former clients may independently choose to view, follow, or interact with publicly available content. Doing so does not establish a therapeutic relationship or expand an existing therapeutic relationship beyond the agreed treatment setting. Clients are not expected to follow, engage with, or support Live Beyond 27 or The 27 Project, and choosing not to do so will not affect their care.

Public follows, comments, tags, and other interactions may be visible to others. Please avoid sharing treatment-related or other sensitive personal information through these accounts. I cannot guarantee the privacy of information shared on social media or control how platforms or other users handle that information.

I do not publicly acknowledge or identify individuals as clients and will not discuss treatment, appointments, or other confidential information through social media. A client’s public disclosure of a therapeutic relationship does not constitute permission for me to confirm that relationship or disclose confidential information.

Communication and Direct Messages

Social media comments and direct messages should not be used for clinical communication, scheduling, emergencies, or other treatment-related matters. Clients should use the established communication methods provided by Opus Counseling & Consulting for all clinical matters.

These accounts are not monitored for clinical needs or emergencies, and messages may not be read or answered promptly. For urgent or emergency needs, clients should follow the crisis resources and emergency instructions provided by the practice rather than contact me through social media. If treatment-related information is sent through social media, I will not discuss it on that platform and may redirect communication to the practice’s established channels.

Online Connections and Client Information

A client independently following a public Live Beyond 27 account does not establish a reciprocal personal connection. I do not engage in personal communication with clients or former clients on social media to protect the therapeutic relationship. The end of therapy does not automatically make a personal online connection appropriate; confidentiality and boundary considerations continue to apply.

I do not intentionally search for information about clients online without their informed consent, except in limited circumstances permitted by applicable ethical standards and law. Incidental exposure to publicly available information may occur through shared communities. When relevant to treatment or professional boundaries, concerns arising from such exposure may be addressed through appropriate clinical channels.

Shared Communities and Additional Professional Roles

Professional and community networks may overlap, particularly within music, journalism, mental health, advocacy, and other shared professional communities. Incidental online contact or participation in the same public online spaces may occur. Such overlap does not itself establish an additional professional or personal relationship or diminish my confidentiality obligations.

Participation in shared public or professional communities is distinct from entering a separate working relationship. Any proposed photography, interview, journalism, or project collaboration involving a current or former client would require separate consideration of confidentiality, professional boundaries, potential conflicts of interest, and applicable ethical requirements. This policy does not itself authorize such a relationship.

When online contact raises a boundary, privacy, or clinical concern, I will address it through appropriate clinical channels and take reasonable steps to protect the client’s interests. Clients are welcome to raise questions or concerns about this policy or my public online presence in therapy.

I am a multifaceted professional with multiple passions. The safety and privacy of my clients is a responsibility I take very seriously and will hold above all else.