Social Media Policy

I. My use of Social Media

OPTION 1: IF YOU DO NOT USE SOCIAL MEDIA AT ALL

I do not use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other social media platforms. However, you still may find that these platforms present some risk to your confidentiality. They are known to match people using descriptions like “People You May Know” simply if you and the other person share the same contact in your phone, and have given the social media site access to your contacts. As such, you may be suggested as a potential contact for other clients, and other clients may be suggested as a potential contact for you. I have no ability to control or alter this process.

OPTION 2: IF YOU ONLY USE SOCIAL MEDIA ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, AND NOT TO MARKET YOUR PRACTICE

I do not use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other social media platforms for professional purposes. As such, I do not accept “friend” requests or similar connection requests from clients.

Direct messaging through social media is not an appropriate way to contact me, and I will not respond to communication attempts through these channels. To reach me, please call 626-268-3705 or email jillcepelatherapy@gmail.com.

You still may find that these platforms present some risk to your confidentiality. They are known to match people using descriptions like “People You May Know” simply if you and the other person share the same contact in your phone, and have given the social media site access to your contacts. As such, you may be suggested as a potential contact for other clients, and other clients may be suggested as a potential contact for you. I do not provide client contact information to any social media platforms, and I have no ability to control or alter how they use information about you or me that I did not share.

OPTION 3: IF YOU DO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO MARKET YOUR PRACTICE

I use Instagram and LinkedIn for professional purposes. This may be where you first learned of my practice.

While I value the opportunities for information and connection that social media provides, I also want to ensure your privacy and confidentiality to the degree possible. Therefore, I do not accept “friend” requests or similar connection requests from clients. Commenting or direct messaging through social media is not an appropriate way to contact me, and I will not acknowledge or respond to client communication attempts through these channels. I apologize if this may at first appear to be cold; it is designed to protect your interests and your privacy.

To reach me, please call 626-268-3705 or email jillcepelatherapy@gmail.com.

I do not provide client contact information to any social media platforms. However, you still may find that these platforms present some risk to your confidentiality. They are known to match people using descriptions like “People You May Know” simply if you and the other person share the same contact in your phone, and have given the social media site access to your contacts. If you have “Liked,” commented on, or otherwise attempted to respond to any of my posts in the past, this information may also be used by social media platforms to connect you to me – and may result in you being connected to others who have connections with me in various ways. As such, you may be suggested as a potential contact for other clients, and other clients may be suggested as a potential contact for you. I have no ability to control or alter how social media platforms use information about you or me that I did not share.

II. Reducing risk to your confidentiality

As noted above, many social media platforms use data from users’ phones to connect you with possible contacts. This poses some risk to your privacy and confidentiality, regardless of the fact that I do not share client information with these platforms. You can minimize that risk by:
(1) not adding me as a contact in your phone (bearing in mind your phone may create a contact automatically if you call my office from your phone), and (2) turning off any social media platform’s ability to access your contacts or your location. The ultimate choice and responsibility for protecting your confidentiality relative to social media lies with you.