Sunday, October 10, 2010

Social Networking for the Therapist!

Technology has not only expanded the opportunity for resources and community for clients - but for the therapist as well! With little to no cost meet people who are advancing our field through social networking.

A social network service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social realtions among people who share interests and/or activities. Try the following:


Save and share all your bookmarks online, and see what other Art Therapists are bookmarking Large search engines can be scary and yield mechanical results. This is a way to share what we find interesting, useful, and meaningful as a community.

Discover inside connections when you’re looking for a job or new business opportunity. Your network is full of industry experts willing to share advice. It's like having a consistent rotating job fair in your backyard!


Access images that can be searched by keyword. Use for inspiration or assisting a client in clarifying what something looks like. Sometimes the pictures we have via books and magazines aren't quite the imagery we are trying convey. This service gives us access to find the image that’s just right.

A personal online journal you can share. How did that intervention work? Let us know! A container for social activism? Get connected!

5. Microblogs: Twitter and Facebook
Microblogging platform that represents you online. Meet other therapists, share ideas, receive guidance and build community to talk about current ideas and events. 

Always keep in mind your ethical responsibility as an art therapist online: 

  • Understanding that those who “see you” online associate it’s content with you as an art therapist. Be mindful of how you are presenting as a professional and who has access to the information you upload.
  • Do you know Internet Etiquette? (Netiquette?)  Skillfully be pleasant and engaging.
  • Cite! Give everyone credit for his or her work.
  • Be authentic and have good personal disclosure practices.
Image 1 from Photoshop.Tutfactory

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