Online visibility is crucial for independent clinical or health psychologists in Spain. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or X are powerful tools for educating, destigmatizing, and attracting new patients. However, for a mental health professional, this visibility carries an immense responsibility.
The psychologist on social media constantly faces the challenge of balancing the need for marketing and promotion with the fundamental pillars of their profession: ethics, confidentiality, and maintaining professional distance. One misstep can put your credibility, your professional license, and most importantly, your patients’ trust at risk.
1. The Dual Role Challenge: Patient, Follower, and Professional Boundaries
The main risk of being a psychologist on social media is the blurring of boundaries between the therapeutic role and the public or social role. This is known as the dual relationship problem.
The Risk of Dual Relationships
A dual relationship occurs when the psychologist interacts with a patient or former patient in a role different from the therapeutic one. On social media, this materializes when a patient:
- Requests to be a friend/follower: Accepting can be interpreted as the beginning of a social relationship, compromising objectivity.
- Comments or reacts to your content: Creates pressure on the patient to please or be validated.
The Ethics of Self-Disclosure
Sharing personal aspects can humanize you, but as a psychologist, excessive self-disclosure can be problematic:
- The therapist should not be the patient: Sharing personal problems can reverse the role.
- Maintaining the framework: Patients need to see the professional figure who guides them.
2. Ethics and Confidentiality: The Pillar of Online Psychology
Confidentiality is unbreakable. On social media, where everything is recorded, violations of this rule are especially serious.
NEVER Diagnose or Provide Therapy on Social Media
Content on social media is merely informative and psychoeducational. It should never be considered therapy.
Avoid public diagnoses: Commenting on a follower’s symptoms is a serious ethical violation.
Respond with caution: Always redirect to professional consultation.
Ethical response example: “Thank you for sharing this. It’s a complex situation that requires a professional’s attention. I encourage you to seek a psychologist in your area.”
Managing Clinical Cases and Anecdotes
One of the most subtle ways to break confidentiality is through anecdotes:
Total Anonymization
If you use clinical examples, make sure they are so anonymized that it’s impossible to recognize oneself. Change context, age, gender, and details.
Informed Consent
If you’re going to use a case in a webinar or extensive publication, ask for explicit written consent.
GDPR Compliance
Contact Forms: Must include an explicit consent checkbox and link to your privacy policy.
Comments and Direct Messages: Instagram or TikTok chat is not a secure channel. Discourage sharing sensitive information through this medium.
3. Ethical Marketing: How to Attract Patients Without Being Intrusive
Ethical marketing is based on transparency and honesty.
Responsible Promotion
”I’ll cure you in 3 sessions"
"I guarantee happiness”
”Tools to manage anxiety"
"Support throughout your process”
Advertising Transparency
- Advertising must be clearly identified (label “advertising” or “ad”)
- Your license number and credentials should be easy to find
Managing Negative Comments
Don't Confront
Never get into public arguments about your professionalism or fees.
Private Response
Respond briefly and professionally, inviting them to contact you by email.
Block If Necessary
If it’s harassment, block. Your mental health is a priority.
Conclusion: Technology at the Service of Ethics
The presence of psychologists on social media is an unavoidable reality and a great opportunity for psychoeducation. However, the key to success lies not in the number of followers, but in the ethical and professional solidity you convey.
Your online profile should be an extension of your practice: safe, professional, and respectful of boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I have a personal profile and a professional one?
Yes, it’s highly recommended. Use your personal profile for private social interactions (with high privacy settings) and your professional profile for psychology-related content.
Can I use stories from movie characters in my posts?
Yes, analyzing fictional characters can be an excellent psychoeducational tool, always under the clarification that it’s a superficial analysis and not a diagnosis.
What should I do if a patient sends me a message asking for urgent help?
Respond briefly indicating that this is not the appropriate channel and immediately redirect to emergency resources (crisis hotlines, emergency services, 911) or to your professional contact number.
Should I mention my fees on social media?
It’s a marketing question. If you choose to mention them, do so clearly. It’s preferable to redirect to your website or to a consultation call. Avoid price debates in the comments.