This policy outlines the professional boundaries and guidelines for all online engagement with Chromatic Life Counseling and Bradley Gowers, M.Ed, LPC, CCTP. It applies to all website visitors, readers, followers, and clients.

Important Disclosures and Scope

This disclaimer establishes clear boundaries to protect your confidentiality and clarifies the nature of our online presence.

• No Therapeutic Relationship: Interaction on social media or our blog does not constitute a therapeutic relationship or professional counseling services.

• Educational Purpose Only: All blog articles and social media posts from Chromatic Life Counseling are for educational, informational, and promotional purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional mental health counseling or therapy.

• Full Policy: A complete Social Media Policy is available for clients upon commencement of services.

Social Media Interaction Policy

To maintain your privacy and adhere to professional ethics, specific guidelines are in place regarding interaction with current or former clients.

Protecting Client Confidentiality

• No Online Interaction with Clients: Chromatic Life Counseling and Bradley Gowers do not interact with current or former clients online via social media platforms.

• Confidentiality over Communication: To protect your confidentiality and Protected Health Information (PHI), we will not respond to comments, direct messages (DMs), "friend" requests, "follow" requests, or any other form of social media contact from current or former clients.

• No Clinical Advice Online: We do not provide clinical assessment, diagnosis, or therapeutic advice via social media, blogs, or comments.

Follows, Connections, and Page Likes

• No Reciprocal Connections: We do not accept friend requests, connect requests, or follow requests from current or former clients on any platform.

• Passive Following Risk: On platforms that do not allow us to screen followers (e.g., liking a public business page), you are free to follow. However, by choosing to follow or like these accounts, your confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. We strongly discourage clients from following these accounts and will never follow clients back or reciprocate the interaction.

Blogs, Comments, and Online Advice

Blog Content

• Marketing and Information: Our blog is a resource for potential clients, offering useful information and free resources related to mental health and our niche.

• Not Professional Advice: Blog articles are not a substitute for therapy and should not be interpreted as professional psychological or medical advice.

Comments and Public Interaction

• Non-Client Interaction: We may occasionally interact with non-clients online to answer general questions or engage in professional discourse, but we will not provide clinical advice.

• Client Comments: If a current or former client comments on our social media or blog content, we will not respond to maintain client privacy.

• Soliciting Advice: Non-clients should not use comments or public posts to solicit professional advice or help. If you have not consented to treatment with Chromatic Life Counseling, we cannot provide you with therapy services. Please seek support from a contracted professional.

Emergency and Crisis Communication

Direct Messages and Electronic Messaging

Social media direct messages (DMs) are NOT a secure or appropriate method for client communication, clinical concerns, or emergencies.

• No Secure Communication: Social media platforms are not secure and cannot ensure the confidentiality of your PHI.

• No Timely Response: We do not review these messages in a timely manner. Using DMs for clinical updates or treatment discussion is strictly prohibited. We will use a secure, established client portal for confidential communication.

• Important Note: Any messages, DMs, or texts from active clients containing treatment information will very likely be printed and become part of your official health records.

Mental Health Crisis

• Do Not Use Social Media for Crisis: Never use direct messages, comments, or texts to seek mental health support during a crisis. We may not see the message for hours or at all, which puts your safety at risk.

• Emergency Contact: In the event of a mental health emergency or crisis, please contact your local mental health crisis hotline, call 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or contact your own providers immediately.

Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials

Online Listings

You may find Chromatic Life Counseling listed on business review sites such as Google Business, Yelp, Healthgrades, or others. Some listings may be automatically generated.

• Not a Solicitation: Our presence on any review site is NOT a request for a testimonial, rating, or endorsement from current or former clients. We adhere to the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics, which prohibits soliciting testimonials from clients.

• Our Inability to Respond: Clients have the right to express their thoughts publicly. However, due to confidentiality and ethical guidelines, we cannot respond to any review, positive or negative. By posting a review, you are making public your protected health information and your status as a client.

• Concerns/Complaints: Past or current clients who are unsatisfied with our response to their concerns may contact the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council:

  • George W. Bush State Office Bldg., 1801 Congress Ave. Ste. 7.300, Austin, TX 78701

  • Telephone: (512) 305-7700