Why TikTok Should Not Replace Your Therapist, Doctor, Teacher, etc.

No doubt, it’s heartening to hear that the stigma surrounding mental health has lessened considerably during the pandemic and beyond, and that mental health awareness is growing.

With helpful tips, close-knit online communities, and information more accessible than ever, the discussion around mental health been a lifeline for people lacking access to care or unable to afford it.

For Gen Z in particular, TikTok has been a particularly helpful resource with #mentalhealth racking up more than 67 billion searches, according to a CBS News report.

Along with Instagram reels and YouTube shorts, TikTok has provided mental health education that helps familiarize people with mental health terminology and the ins and outs of living with various disorders.

Shani Tran, a licensed clinical counselor in Minneapolis, recently told USA TODAY that TikTok helps foster inclusivity as “there is literally a therapist on there that you can see yourself in who will validate you, who will give that safe space to you.”

Staying Savvy: Separating Fact From Fiction 

While opening up about mental health struggles on social media has undoubtedly left people feeling less alone, not every suggestion the algorithm makes is a winner.

Nestled in with the findings of seasoned professionals, there’s a slew of misinformation and armchair diagnoses that lack the nuance and specificity of seeing a therapist in real life. It’s here where the negative impact of social media rears its ugly head and ultimately leads to confusion.

As more and more TikTok therapists and mental health influencers emerge — some actual licensed clinicians, others being more of the self-proclaimed “expert” variety — it’s become increasingly important that social media isn’t where your mental health support system begins and ends.

While you’re scrolling through TikTok and mental health content, how do you separate the advice of a qualified professional from someone merely hoping to up their online visibility?

A few red flags to watch out for:

1. Failure to Disclose Credentials

If mental health experts are sharing credible information, they will tell you where they’ve studied, what areas they specialize in, which licenses they hold. Don’t see any of this? Search for their names online to find out.

2. Sales Pitch

It’s a conflict of interest for psychologists to recommend products or services without disclosing a business relationship. If something seems off, trust your gut, and do further research for proper credentials.

3. Jargon-Heavy Posts With Little Substance

Anyone can throw around words like “trauma” and “attachment style.” But if there’s little explanation of these concepts, this is probably not the work of a therapy professional.

4. Rigid, One-Size-Fits-All Approach

A licensed therapist knows that one approach is never the solution for everyone. If someone is suggesting only one modality for success, that’s not the mark of a pro.

Why TikTok Doesn’t Pass as Therapy

While an entry portal for the mental health conversation, watching what TikTok or other social media has to offer is not a replacement for your therapist, doctors, or teachers.

If you are struggling with anxiety, addiction, or another complex mental health issue, there’s no substitute for seeking the guidance of a qualified therapist or trained clinician. They not only have the vocabulary, experience, and modalities that can best serve you, but they can tailor therapy and treatment to you in a way a computer algorithm never could.

Medium’s Faithe J Day shares why TikTok is the “worst therapist I’ve never paid for.” Unlike working with a therapist one-on-one, she found the self-diagnosis that’s part and parcel with the app to be anything but a perfect science.

“Similar to the hypochondria that comes with diagnosing yourself through Dr. Google or WebMD, the free flow of mental health content on TikTok is also creating its own mental health crisis as users flock to diagnose themselves based on the app’s video recommendations,” Day says.

However, unlike a therapist who is working to better your mental health, Day explains how an algorithm is engineered to give you more of what you want. “For some users, this can be very helpful as the recommended videos become a starting-off point to their mental health journey and reaching out to a mental healthcare professional.” But for others, Day notes that validation from users and the algorithm can be a hindrance. “They don’t understand how the content they are seeing is a reflection of their choices and not their personality.”

Mental Health Resources You Can Count On

In addition to seeking professional support for mental health challenges, Rio Retreat Center at The Meadows hosts programs facilitated by experts and designed to help you heal and recover. Our workshops especially offer many benefits. Whether it’s grief or trauma, betrayal or codependence, we’ve got workshops that can bring healing and empowerment for every stage of your journey. Contact us today to find the perfect workshop to help you through whatever season of life you are going through.