Tips for Therapists Using Twitter to Promote their Private Practice
Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook seem to promise instant access to potential clients for many health professionals.
However using any of the social media platforms is fraught with issues for many therapists. You might get caught up in an argument or be judged harshly for a casual comment.
If you are running your own private practice, you’ll know how important it is that you attract new clients. And, social media is full of potential clients.
Regardless, you need to consider carefully what you say and publish because in this kind of open and transparent environment you are your brand and your brand is you.
As a professional therapist you know you have to respect patients, value their privacy, and protect your own personal boundaries.
So, how can you act in a professional manner on Twitter?
Let’s look at two important questions.
Tips for Therapists Using Twitter to Promote their Private Practice
Should therapists communicate casually?
There are two answers to this question – should therapists communicate casually?
Yes and no!
When communicating with anyone on Twitter you will make yourself more approachable by responding in a casual way.
Using familiar shortcuts, and even slang words will make you come across friendlier. Who doesn’t like an emoji, right?
However, no therapists should respond in a casual way to another person’s post about their mental illness or psychiatric condition. This will be crass and unprofessional.
How Should Therapists Use Twitter?
Should therapists joke about topics relevant to current events or even mental health?
Should you joke about current issues or even mental illness? Probably not.
While some people have a good sense of humor, and will understand that you are looking at the lighter side of things, comments and posts can be taken out of context and misunderstood.
Remember that anything you publish can be read by anyone with access to a computer – any one.
You are a professional, so act the way you do in your practice the same way online.
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