A Social Media Policy for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs

The American Counseling Association 2014 Ethical Code mandates that counselors who engage in social media communication develop knowledge and skills related to ethical and legal considerations (American Counseling Association, 2014). In response to these expectations, this article introduces a social media policy created by faculty in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. An example and review of an implemented social media policy is provided, along with guidelines for a student-led training program. Case examples are provided that illustrate potential dilemmas of student misuse of social media, along with examples of faculty interventions. This article is designed to contribute to the professional discourse on how to address social media and technology in counselor training