13 Quick Tips
Overview
- This chapter briefly touches on several topics of general interest
- Provides insights into social media usage, physical boundaries, awareness of community resources, and more
Below you will find additional tips that address some of the topics not discussed in other sections.
Social Media – I recommend having a presence on social media, but also being wary of what others can see. Consider that most employers, as well as many clients, will search your social media posts. You can change account settings so that pictures and posts are private, or remove them altogether if they don’t represent you in a positive light. I know of some helpers who accept friend requests from clients, but that’s an area where the professional relationship starts to break down, so I suggest avoiding it unless it is done through a professional account run by the agency. Having boundaries around social media will help stay consistent with the professional boundaries around all of your client-counselor relationships. If you’re unsure what to do, refer back to the policy of doing no harm and seeking supervision. Agencies may adopt policies that restrict social media relationships with clients for the benefit of both parties. The agency may also utilize social media as a teaching tool by providing resources for clients.
Physical Touch – This issue comes up frequently in classroom discussions about boundaries. What constitutes appropriate touch, or is no physical touch ever warranted in helping settings? Some people are naturally more inclined to use touch as part of their communication, such as handshakes, hugs, or even a reassuring hand on a shoulder. Issues to consider are your agency’s rules, the population with which you are working, and cultural norms around touch. Age, gender, identity, and trauma history also influence the significance of physical contact. Corrections settings often forbid physical contact, while private counseling agencies may allow and even encourage it. If physical contact is appropriate based on your role and relationship, be aware of how the client will interpret the touch. One safeguard is to ask a client before initiating any kind of touch. On the flip side, if you have clear boundaries around touch, or you are concerned that a client may use touch inappropriately, you can establish clear guidelines early on and stick to them.
Know Your Community – Becoming familiar with the resources and services offered in your area is a huge benefit to you and your clients. Don’t assume that the agency will have all of this information, either. Taking the time to research what’s available to your clients will give you the opportunity to uncover some much-needed resources, build relationships within the community, and offer more options to clients. You can maintain a physical or digital list of resources over time so that you have them readily available to make useful referrals for clients. Throughout your career, you will also want to