Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Yes, you can direct message other Achology members. Click any member’s name in the Achology community to visit their profile, then click the message icon to send them a private message through Circle. The same conduct standards that apply in public spaces apply in DMs.
The short answer
- Click any member’s name to visit their profile, then click the message icon to start a DM
- DMs work on both desktop and the Circle mobile app
- Use them for arranging practice, following up after events, and building peer connections
- All private communication follows Achology’s conduct and ethics standards
- Members can disable DMs in their profile settings — respect that choice if someone has opted out
The full answer
Direct messaging turns a community of strangers into a network of genuine connections. Some of the most valuable learning at Achology happens in one-to-one conversations — arranging PALS practice sessions, debriefing after a challenging VALTS workshop, or simply getting to know a fellow learner whose perspective resonates with yours. Here’s how it works and what’s expected.
Sending a direct message
From anywhere in the community — a discussion thread, the member directory, an event page — click on the name of the person you want to message. This opens their profile. Below their name and headline, you’ll see a message icon. Click it to open a private conversation.
Type your message, hit send, and you’re in a one-to-one thread that only you and that member can see. You can send text, links, images, and files through DMs — the same formatting tools available in posts work here too.
On the Circle mobile app, the process works identically. Tap a member’s name, tap the message icon, and start typing. Push notifications alert the other person to your message if they’ve enabled them.
When DMs add real value
Arranging practice sessions. The PALS board coordinates practice opportunities publicly, but the logistics often happen through DMs. “I saw your PALS request — I’m free Thursday at 2pm, would that work?” is exactly the kind of message that turns a community listing into a real development opportunity.
Following up after events. You attend a VALTS skill development workshop and someone’s contribution sparks a thought you want to explore further. DM them. “Your point about reframing in today’s session made me rethink my approach — could we discuss that more?” opens a conversation that deepens both your learning.
Building peer connections. Browse the member directory, find someone studying the same courses you are or based in a similar time zone, and introduce yourself. Consistent peer relationships accelerate development far beyond what solo study achieves.
Asking questions privately. Not every question feels comfortable as a public post. DMs let you ask a more experienced member for guidance without the self-consciousness of a community-wide audience.
What’s expected in private messages
Achology’s Code of Ethics and conduct standards don’t stop at the boundary of public spaces. Private messages carry the same expectations:
Be respectful and kind. Treat DMs as professional peer-to-peer communication — warm, honest, and considerate.
Don’t promote, solicit, or spam. Using DMs to sell services, recruit for external programmes, or send unsolicited marketing undermines trust and violates community standards. If someone reports this behaviour, the Achology team will act on it.
Respect privacy. What someone shares with you in a private message stays between you and them unless they explicitly give you permission to share it. This is especially important for conversations about practice experiences, personal challenges, or development struggles.
Respect boundaries. If someone doesn’t respond to your DM, don’t send repeated follow-ups. If someone has disabled direct messaging in their profile settings, they’ve made a deliberate choice — respect it without taking it personally.
If you’d rather not receive DMs
You control whether other members can message you privately. Open your profile settings (click your profile picture → Edit profile) and look for the direct messaging permission toggle. Turning it off prevents anyone from initiating a DM with you. This is entirely your choice, though keeping it on generally opens more doors for practice partnerships and peer learning.
Next step
Find one member in the Achology community whose introduction or recent post caught your attention, visit their profile, and send a brief, genuine message. A simple “I enjoyed your post about X — I’m working on something similar” is enough to start a valuable connection.
Relevant URLS
https://achology.com/achology/achology-membership/
https://achology.com/achology/academy/
https://achology.com/achology/academy/certification/
https://achology.com/achology/courses/
https://apps.apple.com/app/circle-community-platform/id1546157157
https://circle.so
https://achology.com
