To Facebook or Not to Facebook?
That is the question isn’t it? I mean, most of us have had a Facebook account for years now and it almost seems as though you can’t live with it but, yet you can’t live without it. As new therapist, I have watched several graduates decide to try and live without it, I my self being one of them. As school was over I, along with every other student at the end of the semester or school year, decided to toss all of my books…. Including the book of faces!
After all, I can’t be on social media as a mental health counselor! Right? … Wrong! Let’s face it, literally, Facebook and social media are not going anywhere but, up. If we seclude ourselves from it, as professionals, where does that leave us? … Going down?…
In a way, to answer that question easy, yes.
As every other therapist and counselor embrace the social media realm and evolve with it, if we choose to run from it, we will find ourselves struggling in the long run. I am not talking about having a personal Facebook page or personal social media pages; I am talking about developing yourself as a professional socially.
– Keeping personal and professional separate – Just a helpful tip: do not join or follow professional organizations or groups with your personal accounts because the ability for those organizations to see your professional account is 10 fold. –
Yes, absolutely, I did toss that personal book of faces out the window but, quickly found myself running right back to create a professional account. I used to think that LinkedIn would be the place to network and make professional contacts which, I have made numerous from LinkedIn. However, since returning to Facebook – professionally – I have made numerous contacts and even linked with potential referral sources. I have found support groups among other professionals who are also using social media professionally.
As for the other grad students, who have chosen to avoid social media, I still watch them struggle to find support, maintain referral sources, create a name for themselves, keep up with other professionals that they meet, and overall they feel lost. You don’t have to go through the same thing! Embrace it, don’t fight against it.
However, always remember to make sure you are aware of how you present yourself, socially, as you breach graduation and professional licensure. Giving up the personal Facebook, might be a really great idea but, giving up social media free and clear might turn out to be detrimental in the long run.
Jessica Richards is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern for the State of Florida. As a graduate of NOVA Southeastern University, she holds a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. She currently contracts with local community agencies to obtain hours for full LMHC licensure, while working on establishing her private practice, Peace of Mind Counseling. Both located in Orlando, Florida.
