Clients and facebook

[futureapppsy2]

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http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wAfinfiGppE/ULv0iYUwLcI/AAAAAAAAWdc/K8uVwGNWtdk/s1600/facebook.jpg

I saw this today on PostSecret, and my first thoughts were "Especially as a therapist, wouldn't you keep your personal Facebook/Twitter/etc private?" (I'm assuming everyone knows not to friend clients--besides being common sense, our department clinic actually had a written policy about not friending clients, and I assume it's not the only organization have such a policy).

 

[Qwerk]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wAfinfiGppE/ULv0iYUwLcI/AAAAAAAAWdc/K8uVwGNWtdk/s1600/facebook.jpg

I saw this today on PostSecret, and my first thoughts were "Especially as a therapist, wouldn't you keep your personal Facebook/Twitter/etc private?" (I'm assuming everyone knows not to friend clients--besides being common sense, our department clinic actually had a written policy about not friending clients, and I assume it's not the only organization have such a policy).

I've worked at places that had a no-friending policy, but none that had a learn-to-use-your-damned-privacy-settings policy. I haven't met a single classmate who is on Facebook and actually using Facebook's privacy tools effectively. How do I know? It was really easy to look them up and friend them, and all of them had at least a few pieces of "private" information visible to the public.

 

[BorntoRun]

My common sense and clinical intuition both argue in favor of making myself as invisible as possible. I have my privacy settings set to max, I don't use my full name, and I make my cover photo (since they are publicly viewable) unidentifiable. I also try to avoid posting things that might come back to haunt me (emotional overshares are a no-go, as are political diatribes and any pictures I wouldn't want the world to see).

Also, a cautionary tale: I looked up a former supervisor on Facebook once, and realized I could see all the pages she'd ever liked -- including about 20 "pro-life" pages. I'll leave you to consider the potential ramifications yourself...

 

[cara susanna]

In all fairness, FB is constantly changing privacy settings and options. AFAIK I'm unsearchable though.

 

[deleted462159]

My common sense and clinical intuition both argue in favor of making myself as invisible as possible. I have my privacy settings set to max, I don't use my full name, and I make my cover photo (since they are publicly viewable) unidentifiable. I also try to avoid posting things that might come back to haunt me (emotional overshares are a no-go, as are political diatribes and any pictures I wouldn't want the world to see).

Also, a cautionary tale: I looked up a former supervisor on Facebook once, and realized I could see all the pages she'd ever liked -- including about 20 "pro-life" pages. I'll leave you to consider the potential ramifications yourself...

Good notes, BorntoRun. I have also seen some psychologists make a Facebook page (as opposed to a profile). Clients/potential clients can contact them with questions, though I'm not sure where they draw the line.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

I found out that a client and I have a mutual facebook friend. Client figured it out after I commented on my friend's post. It wasn't a big deal, but certainly one of those "small world" moments.

I had a former client send a friend request once. Fortunately, FB allows you to send messages to people that you aren't friends with, so I was able to send her a message explaining why I wasn't going to accept the request. In this case, as an alternative, I felt it was appropriate to offer an email address where she could send me updates on her life. It wouldn't be a good idea for all clients, but in this case it ended well.

Best,
Dr. E

 

[weeblewobble]

One of my professors took time out a couple of years ago during class (so, 5000 FB upgrades ago, who knows whether this applies now) to show us how easy it is to get passed privacy settings if they're skilled with computers. He then googled himself and showed us all the private information that was easily available- including how much his house was worth, his kids' names, and an angry blog written by a former client😱. It was terrifying and eye-opening. I've got all my settings as private as possible, but I try not to put anything out there I'd be embarrassed for a client/future employer/other person I want to respect me to see.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Good notes, BorntoRun. I have also seen some psychologists make a Facebook page (as opposed to a profile). Clients/potential clients can contact them with questions, though I'm not sure where they draw the line.

I think making a page instead of a profile may be a good option, especially for folks in private practice.

One of my professors took time out a couple of years ago during class (so, 5000 FB upgrades ago, who knows whether this applies now) to show us how easy it is to get passed privacy settings if they're skilled with computers. He then googled himself and showed us all the private information that was easily available- including how much his house was worth, his kids' names, and an angry blog written by a former client. It was terrifying and eye-opening. I've got all my settings as private as possible, but I try not to put anything out there I'd be embarrassed for a client/future employer/other person I want to respect me to see.

I'd also suggest googling your name and university/city together frequently to see what comes up. Also, it's a good idea to google your email address, too. It's best to keep tabs on what's out there about you.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

One of my professors took time out a couple of years ago during class (so, 5000 FB upgrades ago, who knows whether this applies now) to show us how easy it is to get passed privacy settings if they're skilled with computers. He then googled himself and showed us all the private information that was easily available- including how much his house was worth, his kids' names, and an angry blog written by a former client😱. It was terrifying and eye-opening. I've got all my settings as private as possible, but I try not to put anything out there I'd be embarrassed for a client/future employer/other person I want to respect me to see.

The thing about the houses really bothers me too. It is extremely easy to look up both value and address around here and there doesn't seem to be a way around it. I always used to have my phone # unlisted because I didn't want my name and address in phone books, but the home listing sort of kills that. I have some female colleagues that use their maiden name professionally and everything else in life under a married last name. That helps them hide a little better.

Best,
Dr. E

 

[futureapppsy2]

The thing about the houses really bothers me too. It is extremely easy to look up both value and address around here and there doesn't seem to be a way around it. I always used to have my phone # unlisted because I didn't want my name and address in phone books, but the home listing sort of kills that. I have some female colleagues that use their maiden name professionally and everything else in life under a married last name. That helps them hide a little better.

Best,
Dr. E

I've known a couple people to do this even if they aren't married by using their mother's maiden name.

 

[erg923]

I am unsearchable (supposedly) and wouldn't friend clients of course, but I am not sure what everyone is so freaked out about. Gasp, they can see my wife's or kids picture when we are at a ball game. Oh, the humanity! They could bump into us walking down the street for goodness sake. I am a human, I do human things when I am not in my "fortress of psychotude..."

 

[cara susanna]

My name is un Googleable. It's waaaay too common.

I've debated using my maiden name professionally once I get married, but doesn't it get all tricky with licensure? I read that here once.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

My name is un Googleable. It's waaaay too common.

I've debated using my maiden name professionally once I get married, but doesn't it get all tricky with licensure? I read that here once.

Nah not at all. It is actually a huge pain in the butt to go around changing your name on your psychologist license, insurance panels, NPI, etc. (speaking from experience).

I envy your non-googleable name. Both maiden and married names are extremely distinctive. If the person with that name is not me, they are closely related to me. Oh well. That has its perks too.

Dr. E

 

[futureapppsy2]

My name is un Googleable. It's waaaay too common.

I've debated using my maiden name professionally once I get married, but doesn't it get all tricky with licensure? I read that here once.

Ungoogleable names, ftw! 🙂

 

[MBellows]

Just going to leave this here...

http://www.zurinstitute.com/facebook_clinicalupdate.html

 

[weeblewobble]

I am unsearchable (supposedly) and wouldn't friend clients of course, but I am not sure what everyone is so freaked out about.

It doesn't bother me so much that a client will see my picture or that I've commented on yet another delicious recipe that I will never make, but that clients with boundaries issues could use information I already don't want on the internet (e.g., my address, my phone number) maladaptively/scarily. A client asked me last week what my middle name was, and I told them, because I felt like it would do more harm to make a big deal out of not disclosing (and my first+last combo is already unique) but somewhere along the line things can get uncomfortable and eventually dangerous depending on the client.

 

[cara susanna]

Nah not at all. It is actually a huge pain in the butt to go around changing your name on your psychologist license, insurance panels, NPI, etc. (speaking from experience).

I envy your non-googleable name. Both maiden and married names are extremely distinctive. If the person with that name is not me, they are closely related to me. Oh well. That has its perks too.

Dr. E

I'm going to take the licensure exam after I'm married, though.

 

[nessa34]

I had a former client send a friend request once. Fortunately, FB allows you to send messages to people that you aren't friends with, so I was able to send her a message explaining why I wasn't going to accept the request. In this case, as an alternative, I felt it was appropriate to offer an email address where she could send me updates on her life. It wouldn't be a good idea for all clients, but in this case it ended well.

be careful with this, because I know in a previous incarnation facebook allowed you to view profiles of people who sent you messages with, like you were friends with them. Not sure how it works now, and if the hesitation is more about the facebook friendship than the ability to see your profile, it may not be an issue.

I used to be pretty nonchalant about internet privacy, but then I had a (severe) boundary issues problem due to someone finding information about me online. I keep everything locked down now- better to do it before a problem comes up than to clean up afterwards, trust me.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

be careful with this, because I know in a previous incarnation facebook allowed you to view profiles of people who sent you messages with, like you were friends with them. Not sure how it works now, and if the hesitation is more about the facebook friendship than the ability to see your profile, it may not be an issue.

I used to be pretty nonchalant about internet privacy, but then I had a (severe) boundary issues problem due to someone finding information about me online. I keep everything locked down now- better to do it before a problem comes up than to clean up afterwards, trust me.

Wow, that is pretty stupid of FB! I would be interested to learn if that is still the case. Not very worried about it in this particular case (as you said, it was more the issue of being friends). I do always try to be mindful that maybe some loophole or crazy thing might allow my clients to see my FB posts, so I don't post things that I wouldn't want them to see (e.g., I'd never complain that I don't feel like going to work or post anything mean toward anyone).

Best,
Dr. E

 

[Doctor Eliza]

I'm going to take the licensure exam after I'm married, though.

I wouldn't think it would be an issue at all. Never heard of anyone with a problem.

When it becomes time to get your license, i can't completely remember, but they may ask for your ssn. At the very least, they will do a background check, which should show the link between names. And if all else fails, you can show your marriage license like you'll have to do in every other situation. (As an aside, I don't understand why everyone wanted that as proof. It didn't indicate that I was planning to change my name. Oh well, whatever.)

Best,
Dr. E

 

[cara susanna]

Awesome, thanks! Maybe I will keep my maiden name professionally, then.

 

[ClinPsychEnthus]

One of my professors took time out a couple of years ago during class (so, 5000 FB upgrades ago, who knows whether this applies now) to show us how easy it is to get passed privacy settings if they're skilled with computers. He then googled himself and showed us all the private information that was easily available- including how much his house was worth, his kids' names, and an angry blog written by a former client😱. It was terrifying and eye-opening. I've got all my settings as private as possible, but I try not to put anything out there I'd be embarrassed for a client/future employer/other person I want to respect me to see.

It is great that someone made this point to you. I had a client once tell me about how easy it was for someone skilled in computers, like this client was, to get around the rinky dink privacy features on things like facebook. I deleted my account that day... mostly because people can write things on your wall, post things on various comments or threads that you write, that clients could (falsely) believe represent you and your opinions... Its like I want the disclaimers used on TV shows that the views expressed here may not be the views held by the parent company (in this case, me). Clients may not understand that... and that all starts to feel like more headache than its worth.

YEARS ago I used to reply to blogs I read, and my real name was linked to those replies, and even after contacting the people who ran the blogs, if I google myself, those posts still come up. I'm talkin 10 or more years ago, when I wasn't thinking about how the internet would archive everything. I'm actually considering contacting one of those companies that can clean up someone's internet searchability to somehow get rid of those posts. Ugh.

 

[roubs]

I googled my email, and the first thing that comes up is all of the unique beer check-ins I've made with the Untapped app. It's my personal email, which I don't intend to share, but that would be so great to have a substance use disorder client see that.

 

[weeblewobble]

It is great that someone made this point to you. I had a client once tell me about how easy it was for someone skilled in computers, like this client was, to get around the rinky dink privacy features on things like facebook. I deleted my account that day... mostly because people can write things on your wall, post things on various comments or threads that you write, that clients could (falsely) believe represent you and your opinions... Its like I want the disclaimers used on TV shows that the views expressed here may not be the views held by the parent company (in this case, me). Clients may not understand that... and that all starts to feel like more headache than its worth.

YEARS ago I used to reply to blogs I read, and my real name was linked to those replies, and even after contacting the people who ran the blogs, if I google myself, those posts still come up. I'm talkin 10 or more years ago, when I wasn't thinking about how the internet would archive everything. I'm actually considering contacting one of those companies that can clean up someone's internet searchability to somehow get rid of those posts. Ugh.

I agree, it was completely eye-opening. When I did google myself, I found a blog that I did when I was a teenager (10-15 years ago) with some friends. It didn't have anything personal, but it was full of me sounding like a teenager, which I didn't like being reminded of myself, let alone having clients read. I went through and deleted everything online that could be deleted, but there were some apps from the myspace days that are apparently undelete-able, so I ended up changing my name on all that stuff to something unidentifiable. It's crazy to me how hard it is to get rid of some of this stuff.

 

[PsychPhDone]

I've decided there are bits of information that I don't mind clients knowing, and they're all things that are pretty google-able (where I'm from, where I went to school, etc.) Things are tricky now that I'm engaged -- I might have to speak to the future in-laws about what information can go to newspaper announcement sections and the like. Previously, my fiance's mom has accidentally referred to me as a "psychologist" publicly and I had to chat with her about how I don't yet have that title and won't for quite a few years!

 

[ForensicPsych26]

be careful with this, because I know in a previous incarnation facebook allowed you to view profiles of people who sent you messages with, like you were friends with them. Not sure how it works now, and if the hesitation is more about the facebook friendship than the ability to see your profile, it may not be an issue.

I don't believe this works any more -- if you message someone who has a private page, you cannot see their information...I think they changed this a few upgrades ago...

 

[Qwerk]

I googled my email, and the first thing that comes up is all of the unique beer check-ins I've made with the Untapped app. It's my personal email, which I don't intend to share, but that would be so great to have a substance use disorder client see that.

Haha, yes. I was at a bar the other day with my coworkers, and we agreed that having any of our clients find photos of that night of debauchery on Facebook would be pretty awkward. Not that I'm ashamed of my (moderate) drinking, but I'd prefer that stuff like this not come up in my dual recovery group.

 

[deleted176373]

So Facebook creates issues that are really very similar to the issues faced everyday by restricted community psychologists. One of the major issues is that of dual roles, this is probably the number one ethical challenges military face every day.

The fact is that in small rural settings, deployment settings, shipboard assignments, and even in a hospital. Your clients WILL be your providers, friends of friends, subordinates, spouses or significant others of co-workers and even people you have been closely acquainted with.

It becomes challenging to manage multiple relationships. You have to make smart choices well in advance about the relationships you pursue, the image you project, and the details you share with others. Facebook is no different, you need to consider what you are sharing digitally and decide how much you are willing to sacrifice your privacy through online social media sights. You should assume that anything you share in social media is public information.

As a psychologist working in a restricted community (e.g. where co-workers, friends, and other people who may know you in other contexts) you need to manage your relationships more carefully. Facebook and other social media tools creates this same effect in the world at large. You can effective and ethically negotiate these challenges using the same ethical decision making tools you use in other situations, the APA ethics code, and consulting with others who have experienced the same challenges. Clients learning about you as a person, knowing your personal friends and co-workers, or attempting to Facebook friend you is not the end of the world. It can be a bit discomforting to work with someone where they may have greater knowledge of you than you were trained to expect initially.

 

[nessa34]

I don't believe this works any more -- if you message someone who has a private page, you cannot see their information...I think they changed this a few upgrades ago...

good to know they changed that. thanks for the update!