SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Purpose of This Policy
This social media presence is maintained by Edward St Psychology for the sole purpose of sharing general mental health education, evidence-based resources, and clinic updates with the community. As a private practice registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), our digital interactions are guided by strict ethical codes of conduct designed to protect public safety, client privacy, and professional boundaries.
Clinical Disclaimer & Crisis Information
Not a Substitute for Therapy: Content shared on our social media accounts (including posts, reels, stories, comments, and direct messages) is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute psychological assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or formal clinical advice.
No Therapeutic Relationship: Interacting with our accounts, following our pages, or consuming our content does not establish a psychologist-client relationship.
Crisis Support: Our social media channels are not monitored 24/7 and must never be used to seek crisis support or urgent clinical assistance. If you are experiencing an emergency or psychological distress, please contact emergency services on 000 or access immediate, confidential support via:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Reposting and External Resources
From time to time, this practice shares or reposts content, insights, or tools from external authors, researchers, or experts in the behavioural sciences field.
Contextual Value: We share external resources because we believe the specific information presented holds educational value.
No Universal Endorsement: Reposting an external individual or organisation does not equal an endorsement of their entire body of work, personal views, political affiliations, or any commercial products and private services they may sell.
Evidence-Based Practice: In accordance with Section 4.10 of the Board’s Code of Conduct, we make every effort to ensure shared resources align with current, peer-reviewed scientific evidence. If you believe any shared content is inaccurate or misleading, please contact our clinic directly via this email:
info@edwardstpsychology.com.au
Direct Messaging (DMs) and Comments
To maintain strict clinical boundaries and protect your privacy:
No Clinical DMs: We cannot answer personal clinical questions, provide triage, or discuss existing treatment plans via social media messaging platforms.
Current/Former Clients: If you are a current or past client of the practice, please be aware that communicating via social media comments or DMs can compromise your confidentiality. We strongly encourage utilising our secure clinic email or phone system for all practice-related communication.
Socialising: Our clinicians will not accept personal friend or follow requests from current or former clients on their private social media profiles to maintain clear professional boundaries.
Strict Prohibition on Testimonials (AHPRA Compliance)
Under Australian National Law, registered health practitioners are strictly prohibited from using testimonials (reviews, recommendations, or stories about clinical success) to advertise their services.
Comment Moderation: If a comment is left on our page that praises our clinical services, shares a personal success story about our practice, or acts as a “purported testimonial,” we are legally required to delete or hide it to remain compliant with AHPRA advertising regulations.
Protecting Your Privacy: This moderation is not meant to silence your voice; rather, it is a legal duty designed to protect your private health journey from being used as advertising material.