Is it ok to look up a therapist on linkedin?

[Justmehere]

Is it ok to look up a therapist on LinkedIn? I was looking up someone else (a possible date) and looked her up too. It was all public info, I wasn’t even logged in to the site.

The info there was not negative, but it was mostly new information. I’d like to ask my therapist a couple of questions about her professional training. Things that have changed since I first started. I’m hiring her to help me, I figure it is ok to ask questions about her professional training.

But I’d have to admit I looked her up on LinkedIn, and found out professional training information she’s never shared herself. Now I’m wondering if I crossed a boundary by doing so.

 

[EveHarrington]

I think if it’s public, then it’s ok. I don’t think you crossed a boundary because she made this info public and I’m guessing that she didn’t ask you to stay off her social media sites.

 

[Dergrosse]

I don't think so, like you mentioned it's public info. I also think we have at least some responsibility to research our therapists. Whenever I've started with a new T my first few sessions are more like an interview. I ask all about their education, experience, and any specialty trainings.

 

[Friday]

Now I’m wondering if I crossed a boundary by doing so.

I don’t consider vetting someone as a boundary violation... much less vetting them in the most cursory way possible (public information they post themselves & want to be found).

The professional life of someone I work with? IS my business. Because I’m hiring them & working with them.

Their personal life? That’s not my business, in a client/therapy situation. I have no need to run a background, much less deep background check that includes all areas of their life. (I will absolutely run one in a few other types of scenarios. Like a childcare provider. Similarly I expect vulnerable professions to be running one on me before getting into bed with me, either personally or professionally. It’s just due diligence.)

 

[Nessa7]

I would consider LinkedIn to be different from other social media sites. Since it is intended to be about your professional life, I don't see any problem with looking up a therapist. It wouldn't have the same complications as other social media websites because it should not contain personal information.

 

[Justmehere]

Thanks all, I've been doubting my instincts lately about therapy and therapists - and it's helped to be reassured.

 

[Sandstone]

However, it probably isn't OK to think that they have an unusual name and use it to build their family tree on Ancestry. Not that I've done that...Not more than once.

 

[barefoot]

I’d say that was totally ok. She’s made the info public and LinkedIn is a professional online network rather than one of the more “social” social media platforms. I wouldn’t consider looking at her LinkedIn page any different than looking at her website.