DISCLAIMER:
Melissa Shannon, LPCC offers a variety of potentially beneficial interactions that may extend boundaries through role changes in the professional contracted relationship. This is not a request or solicitation from Melissa Shannon, LPCC for purchase, endorsement, testimonial, or participation of clients, former clients, or any other persons who may be vulnerable to undue influence. In such situations, Melissa Shannon, LPCC promotes client autonomy and provides clients with ongoing informed consent of any likely consequences (e.g., financial, legal, personal, therapeutic) of counselor role changes. Most importantly, Melissa Shannon takes reasonable precautions to avoid causing emotional, physical, or social harm to individuals. If unavoidable or unanticipated harm occurs to a client or former client, or an individual significantly involved with a client or former client, Melissa Shannon will immediately demonstrate and document a reasonable attempt to remedy such harm.
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY DISCLAIMERS:
The intention for using social media for counselors is for marketing, education, advocacy, thought leadership, and providing content in a technologically changing field. We want to do this while making clients aware of the risks and benefits of engagement on social media where counselors are present. A therapeutic relationship is a professional relationship and in today's technological climate, a social media presence or following your therapist on social media is not to be confused with a relationship outside of therapy. Ethical, professional, and therapeutic boundaries must be followed and honored.
A counseling social media page is not psychotherapy, a replacement for a therapeutic relationship, or substitute for mental health and medical care. A social media presence as a counseling professional is not seeking an endorsement, request, or rating from past or current clients. No social media posts should be considered professional advice. The information contained in posts is general information for educational purposes only.
Past and current clients risk breaching their privacy and confidentiality by following, liking, re-posting, commenting, and engaging on social media platforms with counselors.
In order to honor professional boundaries, ethical nuances, and not engage in and prevent any potential form of dual-relationship, counselors will not follow or friend past or current clients on social media platforms.
"Direct Messaging" is another risk to your privacy. Remember commenting and messaging between sessions is not a confidential or encouraged means of communication. Please schedule an official therapy session to discuss, explore, and ask any treatment related questions or concerns. Social media is not an appropriate medium for sharing therapeutic concerns, questions, comments, or reaching out in crisis to your counselor. Comments and DM’s are are not confidential.
To ensure using technology, chat rooms, and/or social media in a professional manner and maintain appropriate professional boundaries, Melissa Shannon does not engage in any "personal virtual relationships" that blur the professional boundary (dual relationships) by using personal accounts as the connection point for the virtual relationship with current or former clients. We respect the privacy of our current and former clients' presence on social media unless given consent to view such information only during a scheduled session.
Please consult your physician or mental health provider regarding advice or support for your health and wellbeing.
If you are suicidal, please call your local 24-hour hotline or 911 or emergency services.