Social Media Policy

Last Updated: September 10, 2025

I, Morgan Betterton, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) operating Love Life Relationship Therapy in San Diego County, California, maintain this Social Media Policy to clarify how I use social media in my professional practice and to set expectations for clients regarding interactions on social media platforms. This policy ensures compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the ethical standards of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and other applicable California laws. By engaging in my therapy services or interacting with my online presence, you agree to the practices outlined in this policy.

1. Purpose of Social Media Use

I may use social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X) to:

  • Share general mental health information, resources, and psychoeducational content.

  • Promote my practice and services in a professional manner.

  • Engage with the community in a way that aligns with my professional and ethical obligations as an LMFT.

My social media content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional therapy or establish a therapist-client relationship.

2. Professional Boundaries

To maintain professional boundaries and protect your confidentiality:

  • No Client Interactions on Social Media: I do not accept friend requests, follow requests, or direct messages from current or former clients on personal or professional social media accounts. This helps ensure the confidentiality of our therapeutic relationship and complies with HIPAA and California confidentiality laws.

  • No Endorsements: I do not “like,” comment on, or otherwise engage with clients’ social media posts to avoid unintentional disclosures of the therapeutic relationship.

  • Public Interactions: If you choose to interact with my professional social media content (e.g., liking, commenting, or sharing posts), be aware that such actions are visible to others and may inadvertently disclose that you are a client. I encourage you to consider your privacy before engaging publicly.

3. Confidentiality and Privacy

  • No PHI on Social Media: I will never share Protected Health Information (PHI) or any identifiable client information on social media platforms, in compliance with HIPAA and California Business and Professions Code Section 4982.

  • Client Responsibility: You are responsible for maintaining your own privacy when engaging with my social media content. I cannot control or be held liable for information you choose to share publicly on social media.

  • Secure Communication: For all therapy-related communication, please use secure methods such as phone, email, or my HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. Social media platforms are not secure and should not be used to discuss personal or therapeutic matters.

4. Content and Limitations

  • Educational Content: My social media posts are intended to provide general mental health education and are not tailored to individual circumstances. They do not constitute professional advice or therapy.

  • No Emergency Services: Social media is not a platform for seeking emergency assistance. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact 911 or the San Diego County Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240.

  • Third-Party Platforms: My social media accounts are hosted on third-party platforms. I am not responsible for the privacy practices or security of these platforms. Please review their privacy policies before engaging.

5. Client Guidelines for Social Media Interaction

To protect your privacy and maintain the integrity of our therapeutic relationship:

  • Avoid Identifying Yourself as a Client: Refrain from posting comments or messages on my social media accounts that could identify you as a client or disclose details about your therapy.

  • Use Secure Channels: Contact me through my official phone number, email, or secure client portal for all therapy-related matters.

  • Respect Professional Boundaries: Do not send friend or follow requests to my personal or professional social media accounts.

6. My Responsibilities

  • Professional Conduct: I adhere to the ethical guidelines of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) in all social media interactions.

  • Monitoring and Moderation: I monitor my professional social media accounts to ensure content remains appropriate and professional. I reserve the right to remove comments or block users who post inappropriate or identifying information.

  • Response Time: I do not guarantee responses to comments or messages on social media, as these platforms are not primary communication channels for my practice.

7. Updates to This Policy

I may update this Social Media Policy periodically to reflect changes in my practices or applicable regulations. The updated policy will be posted on my website with the revised “Last Updated” date. Your continued engagement with my services or social media content constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

8. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Social Media Policy or need to discuss therapy-related matters, please contact me:

Love Life Relationship Therapy
445 Marine View Ave, Suite 300, Del Mar, CA 92014
(619) 786-7724
morgan@loveliferelationshiptherapy.com
loveliferelationshiptherapy.com

For all therapy-related communication, please use the secure contact methods listed above rather than social media.

By engaging with Love Life Relationship Therapy or interacting with my social media content, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Social Media Policy.