The do's and don'ts of social media for therapists

Social media has become an invaluable tool for mental health therapists, offering opportunities for patient education, community engagement, and more. However, therapists must adhere to strict privacy regulations to protect patient confidentiality and avoid potential breaches.

Social media posts

Posting on social media itself is not inherently a HIPAA violation. What matters most is the content of those posts and how it relates to patient privacy. The American Hospital Associate's social media policy states, "AHA recognizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of an individual’s personal and medical data and we will not include, reference or reveal such personal data in dialogue on our Social Media sites. We expect participants in the dialogue on our Social Media sites to similarly respect confidentiality and to refrain from including, referring to, or revealing individuals’ personal or medical data."

The do's of social media for therapists

• Provide general mental health content: Establish yourself as a reliable source of mental health information and support by providing content about mental health, therapy techniques, and general wellness tips. 
• Post public service announcements: Engage with your online community by announcing mental health awareness events, workshops, or online sessions. 
• Post inspirational stories (with caution): Share anonymized success stories or case studies (with explicit patient consent) that illustrate positive outcomes from therapy. Ensure anonymity to protect patient privacy.
• Network: Connect with fellow therapists, healthcare professionals, and mental health advocates to stay informed about industry trends, exchange knowledge, and build supportive professional relationships.

Read also: Leveraging social media platforms for HIPAA compliant patient outreach 

The don'ts of social media for therapists

• Provide patient case studies: Avoid discussing specific patient cases, even without names, to prevent potential HIPAA violations. Refrain from sharing details that could identify a patient, including their mental health history, treatment specifics, or progress.
• Post before & after photos: Do not post "before and after" pictures of clients' progress due to privacy concerns. Even with patient consent, ensure no identifying information is included.
• Post identifiable testimonials: Refrain from posting testimonials including patient names or identifiable information. Instead, share generalized success stories or experiences without disclosing patient-specific details.
• Communicate with patients directly: Do not discuss specific patient conditions or treatment plans on public social media platforms, instead direct patients to secure communication channels, like HIPAA-compliant email or private messages, for such inquiries.

How to avoid HIPAA violations on social media

• Obtain consent: Obtain written authorization from patients before sharing any PHI on social media. Specify what information will be shared, where it will be shared, and for what purpose.
• Be mindful: Always ensure that no identifiable patient information is disclosed. Avoid mentioning patient names, sharing specific treatment details, or posting images without consent.
• De-identification: If sharing healthcare information, ensure it has been de-identified to protect patient privacy.
• Regularly review privacy settings: Review and adjust your social media privacy settings to maximize control over who can access your content.
• Educate and train: Healthcare professionals and employees should receive training on HIPAA regulations and the responsible use of social media in healthcare settings.

Related: How to stay HIPAA compliant on social media

How HIPAA applies to social media use by mental health therapists

Privacy considerations

Therapists must uphold patient privacy on social media by refraining from sharing protected health information (PHI). This includes avoiding mentions of patient names, photos, medical histories, or other identifiable details without explicit patient consent.

Professional boundaries

Maintain professionalism in all social media interactions and refrain from sharing personal opinions or engaging in discussions that compromise patient confidentiality.

Compliance training and oversight

Ensure all staff members are well-versed in HIPAA regulations and understand their responsibilities in maintaining patient privacy.

Security measures

Implement secure communication channels and regularly review privacy settings on social media profiles to prevent unauthorized access to patient information. Educate staff members on safeguarding patient data in online interactions.

Learn more: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide

In the news

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reached a settlement with Manasa Health Center, LLC, a New Jersey-based healthcare provider offering adult and child psychiatric services. 

The settlement comes after Manasa Health Center was accused of impermissibly disclosing the protected health information of a patient in response to a negative online review. The health center has agreed to pay $30,000 to OCR and implement a corrective action plan to resolve potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule.

FAQs

Can mental health therapists use personal social media accounts to interact with patients or share content?

Therapists should maintain separate personal and professional social media. A dedicated professional account allows therapists to share relevant content and interact with patients while keeping personal matters private.

Can therapists discuss specific therapy techniques or modalities on social media?

While therapists can share general information about therapy techniques, they should not make specific claims or guarantees about treatment outcomes. Instead, they should provide educational content and encourage individuals to seek personalized advice directly.

What should therapists do if they accidentally disclose patient information on social media?

If patient information is inadvertently disclosed, therapists should promptly delete the post or comment and notify their practice's privacy officer or compliance team. 

Learn more: FAQs: All about HIPAA and social media