Professional Boundaries & Social Media Policy

Effective Date: 10/14/2025

At Beachn Behavior LLC, professional ethics, privacy, and respect are the foundation of all services. To maintain the highest standards of professionalism and ensure clear boundaries between the provider and clients, the following policies are in place in accordance with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) which you can find here: BCBA Ethical Code

Professional Boundaries

To protect both the family and provider, dual relationships, personal, social, financial, or otherwise, are strictly avoided.
This means:

  • All providers will maintain a professional relationship only and will not engage in friendships, personal favors, or other non-professional interactions with clients or their families.

  • Services are limited to professional consultation and parent education; additional personal or unrelated contact outside the scope of services is not permitted.

  • Gift giving or exchanging personal items is not allowed to ensure neutrality and fairness in all professional interactions.

  • Conflicts of interest will be disclosed immediately, and services may be referred or modified if boundaries cannot be maintained ethically.

These boundaries protect your family’s privacy, support professional integrity, and ensure all decisions are guided by the client’s best interest.

Social Media & Online Interaction

Beachn Behavior LLC recognizes that social media can be a useful way to share educational information about autism, parenting, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). However, to protect confidentiality and uphold ethical standards:

  • Providers will not accept friend or follow requests from current or former clients or their family members on personal or professional social media accounts.

  • Clients and families are asked to refrain from tagging or mentioning Beachn Behavior LLC or the provider on personal posts that reference their child or services.

  • Beachn Behavior LLC may post general educational or promotional content, but will never share identifying details, client examples, or confidential information.

  • Social media messages, comments, or posts are not an approved form of communication and will not be used to discuss services, scheduling, or behavioral concerns.

These guidelines are designed to maintain confidentiality and a healthy professional boundary, consistent with the BACB Ethics Code (Sections 1.05, 1.06, 2.06, and 2.11).

Communication Standards

To protect privacy and ensure clear communication:

  • All service-related communication should occur through HIPAA-compliant platforms (e.g., email, secure forms, or your client scheduling portal).

  • Beachn Behavior LLC does not use text messages, DMs, or social media messaging apps to discuss services or share any Protected Health Information (PHI).

  • Emails are typically returned within 24–48 business hours during standard business days.

  • Social media accounts are not monitored for messages or emergencies.

Confidentiality Reminder

Families are encouraged to maintain their child’s privacy when sharing about their experiences online. Even seemingly positive posts can inadvertently reveal identifying information. Beachn Behavior LLC will never share or confirm client information publicly, and will always protect your confidentiality under HIPAA and professional ethics standards.

Summary

These boundaries are not intended to be restrictive but to ensure your family receives the highest quality, ethical, and professional service possible. Maintaining appropriate limits on communication and relationships helps protect your privacy, preserve trust, and ensure that all services remain focused on your family’s goals and well-being.