Social Media Policy

This policy explains how I use social media and digital communication as a psychotherapist, and how we can both maintain clear, safe and professional boundaries online.

I work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework and applicable data protection law, including the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.

 I am committed to protecting your privacy, confidentiality and dignity in all forms of communication.

If you have any questions about this policy, please feel free to discuss them with me at any point.

1. Professional Boundaries Online

To protect your confidentiality, privacy and our therapeutic relationship:

  • I do not accept friend requests or personal contact requests on social media from current clients.

  • I do not follow clients’ personal social media accounts.

  • I maintain a distinction between my professional online presence and my personal use of social media.

  • If we encounter one another online or in public spaces, I will not acknowledge our therapeutic relationship unless you initiate contact.

I also maintain appropriate professional boundaries with former clients online, taking account of confidentiality, privacy and the nature of our previous therapeutic relationship.

These boundaries are intended to protect your privacy and reduce the possibility of unintentionally revealing that you are, or have been, a client of Root & Rise Therapy.

2. Social Media and Therapeutic Communication

Social media platforms are not appropriate spaces for confidential or therapeutic communication.

To help protect your privacy:

  • Please do not use social media messaging to contact me about appointments or therapeutic material.

  • Please be aware that public interactions with Root & Rise Therapy, such as tagging, commenting on or liking posts, may unintentionally reveal a connection with the practice.

If you need to contact me between sessions, please use:

Email: hello@rootandrisetherapy.uk

Messages will be responded to within normal working hours.

I do not provide therapeutic support through email or social media messaging.

3. Communication Between Sessions

Communication between sessions should generally be limited to practical matters, such as appointments or cancellations.

If you send personal or therapeutic material between sessions, I may acknowledge receipt where appropriate, but I will not provide therapy through written or digital communication. Material requiring therapeutic exploration can be brought into our next session.

4. Emergencies

Email, text and social media are not suitable ways to seek urgent or emergency support, and I may not see messages immediately.

If you need urgent mental health support or are concerned about your immediate safety, please contact:

  • Your GP

  • NHS 111 — press 2 for urgent mental health support.

  • Your local NHS Crisis Team

  • Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours)

  • 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger

5. My Professional Online Presence

I maintain a professional online presence to:

  • share information about Root & Rise Therapy and the services I offer

  • share reflective, educational or professional content

  • help people find and learn more about the practice

You are welcome to view or share publicly available content.

I will not use social media or other public writing to share information that identifies you, or knowingly publish material drawn from our work together in a way that could make you or your experiences recognisable.

To protect your confidentiality, I will not publicly acknowledge or confirm that you are, or have been, a client of Root & Rise Therapy.

6. Search Engines

I do not routinely search for clients online or use search engines or social media to seek information about you.

My therapeutic understanding of you is based primarily on what you choose to share with me within our work together.

There may be exceptional circumstances where accessing information from another legitimate source is necessary, for example where there are serious concerns about safety or safeguarding. Where appropriate and possible, I would discuss this with you.

7. Reviews & Public Feedback

You are free to discuss your own experience of therapy or Root & Rise Therapy wherever you choose.

If you post a review, comment or other public feedback, I will continue to protect your confidentiality. I will not confirm or disclose that you are, or have been, a client, or share information about our work together.

This may mean that I am unable to respond publicly to the substance of a review or comment, even where I might otherwise wish to do so.

If you have feedback or concerns about our work, you are also welcome to raise these with me directly. Your feedback matters and, where appropriate, can be explored together.

8. Technology & Data Security

I take appropriate steps to protect client information and digital communications, including the use of secure systems, password-protected devices and appropriate technical and organisational safeguards.

Where third-party digital services are used as part of the practice, these are considered as part of Root & Rise Therapy’s data-protection and professional-governance arrangements.

More information about how your personal information is collected, used, stored and protected — including the digital systems used by Root & Rise Therapy — can be found in the Privacy Notice.

Closing Note

Thank you for taking the time to read this policy.
Clear and compassionate digital boundaries help protect the privacy and integrity of our work together. If anything here raises questions or feels unclear, please bring it into our session so we can explore it together.

Root & Rise Therapy | Social Media Policy | Last reviewed: August 2026 | Next review: August 2027