Social Media Connections

I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or past clients on any social networking platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Google). Accepting requests from clients on these platforms could affect your privacy and confidentiality and may also complicate the professional boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please bring them up, and we can discuss them further during our sessions.

Following My Social Media

While I do not expect clients to follow my business accounts on social media, if you do, and I recognize your account, we may briefly discuss how this could influence our therapeutic work together. My primary concern is your privacy, and there are ways to follow my content without making it public. You are free to decide whether or not you wish to follow me, but please note that I will not follow you back. I choose to follow only other health professionals and do not follow clients on social media. I do not respond to message requests. Accessing your online content without your express consent may create an imbalance in our relationship. If you wish to share anything from your online world, it’s best to bring it into our sessions where we can discuss it openly.

Online Messaging

Please avoid contacting me through social media messaging systems (such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), as these platforms are not secure and I may not respond to your message in a timely manner. I encourage you to refrain from communicating with me through public posts or comments on these sites due to confidentiality concerns. These interactions could also become part of your official records, which are documented and archived. If you need to get in touch with me between sessions, the most effective method is via email. For scheduling or administrative matters, you can reach me at StonebyStonePsychology@hotmail.com.

Online Reviews & Listings

You might come across my practice listed on various business review sites (e.g., on HealthEngine, Bing, Yahoo Local, PsychologyToday). Some of these platforms allow users to rate and review services. If you see my practice on any such site, please know that this is not an invitation for you to leave a testimonial or review. In fact, according to the Australian Psychological Society's Code of Ethics, it is considered unethical for psychologists to seek or use client testimonials. While you are free to express yourself on these platforms, I am unable to engage with or respond to any reviews due to confidentiality. If you want to discuss how you feel about our work together, it is best to bring these conversations into the therapy room. You are welcome to share that you are in therapy with me if you choose, but please be mindful that online reviews can expose private details. If you feel uncomfortable discussing any issues with me directly, you have the option to contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to file a complaint or seek further guidance. They can be reached at www.ahpra.gov.au.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality means I am unable to disclose that you are a client of mine, nor can I ask for or use testimonials. However, you are free to share your experience with anyone you like. If you choose to post a review online, please consider the potential privacy risks, as personal details could be exposed and some forums are not secure. To protect your identity, I suggest using a pseudonym not linked to your usual online identity or email address. If you feel uncomfortable discussing any issues with me directly, you have the option to contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to file a complaint or seek further guidance. They can be reached at www.ahpra.gov.au.

Telehealth to in person situations

There may be times that we see each other outside of Telehealth sessions if we are located in the same state. On these occasions, my general approach is that I will not actively acknowledge you unless I am acknowledged first by you so that I know you are comfortable initiating contact, especially if you are not alone or in a social setting. Your privacy is my main concern. We may discuss the interaction within sessions as a general check-in. If I am aware we reside in proximity, I may discuss this pre-emptively within the session so that we have a plan for navigating this.

Email Communication

I prefer to use email for scheduling and administrative purposes only. Please avoid sending me content related to your therapy sessions via email, as it is not entirely secure. Keep in mind that emails are stored in the logs of both our Internet service providers, and while it’s unlikely anyone will access these logs, they can technically be viewed by system administrators. Also, any emails exchanged can become part of your record.

Changes to This policy

We may update this policy from time to time as technology evolves. Changes will take effect from the date they are published on our website. We recommend reviewing this page periodically. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact Us 

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please reach out to us: 

Stone by Stone Psychology 
📧 Email: stonebystonepsychology@hotmail.com