The Dangerous Truth of TikTok “Therapists” and “Experts”
Have you turned to TikTok for mental health information or therapy advice? If so, chances are you have been hearing from influencers who lack proper education or training.
As a millennial therapist, I believe it is crucial to help individuals recognize the risks associated with trusting influencers who present themselves as experts in various fields. It is essential to raise awareness about the harm that blindly following such influencers can bring to people’s lives and mental well-being.
This blog marks my first step in my ongoing efforts to inform and educate those who may be at risk of falling under the influence of content creators who lack the necessary qualifications and expertise.
This blog will cover:
What TikTok is,
The harmful actions of TikTok creators,
Their avoidance of consequences,
The impact they have on viewers,
Ways to stay safe,
What to do if you need help for your mental health and well-being.
The Gist of TikTok
For those who don’t use TikTok or are unsure how it works, I will explain the app's concept. TikTok is a massive social media platform with content based on your interests. You can search for specific topics, current events, or people to find videos. Once you click ‘like’ or ‘follow’, your TikTok will start to include more videos and creators related to your interests.
Like other apps, TikTok helps you connect with others and feel a part of a community- however, the difference between this platform and others, is that you have a significant amount of free speech, which allows for people to spread information that isn’t always correct. Not only does it allow for misinformation to be spread, but it also lends itself for creators to assume the role of professionals, which we will discuss later in this blog.
TherapyTok is the part of TikTok where people share information about mental health and therapy. However, just because it has "therapy" in the name, don’t be misled. Anyone can post videos with the hashtag, and there are no professional or educational qualifications needed to do so.
Now that we have defined TikTok, let’s get into it…
> How Entertainers Become Professionals to their Viewers
Many creators on TikTok make videos for the sole purpose of entertainment, so how do they go from entertainers to armchair psychologists?
There are no educational or training requirements to post about mental health and therapy.
Influencers often label themselves as “coaches” or “experts,” even though they may lack any formal training or certification in these specialized fields.
Some individuals go as far as to put titles such as “therapist” “professor,” or “doctor” in their profile names, leading to potential confusion regarding their actual qualifications and experience.
Their content can appear very relatable and validating to those who view it, which in turn makes the audience more susceptible to placing their trust in a person online, often without critical examination.
The creator may employ clinical terminology and psychobabble, which can create an impression of education and authority.
As their follower count increases, so too does their perceived validity and credibility in the eyes of the audience.
Viewers do not take the time to verify the influencer’s legitimacy or qualifications before accepting their advice.
Unfortunately, this significant shift from seeing influencers to experts is not limited to mental health creators alone; it is also actively impacting other sides of society. This trend is noticeably affecting areas such as dating dynamics, anti-feminism movements, and even perspectives on relationships.
> Impacts on the Audience
There have been notable positive impacts of TikTok, including the increased awareness surrounding mental health issues and the normalization of therapy as a viable option for support. However, this platform has simultaneously fostered an environment where creators lacking proper education and qualifications can exploit mental health topics, therapy concepts, and the personal hardships of viewers. This exploitation is often done with the aim of gaining followers and generating revenue, which can ultimately result in troubling consequences for their audience, such as:
It puts vulnerable people at considerable risk, as their mental health may be negatively impacted by misleading information,
Endorses the use of armchair psychology and pseudo-psychology,
Uses psychological theories, constructs, methods, and diagnoses that require professional training to interpret and provide,
There are no established systems in place to hold the influencer accountable if they happen to give out dangerous, harmful, or fundamentally inaccurate advice, which could exacerbate someone’s situation,
Many creators are often not aware of the ethical guidelines that licensed clinicians are thoroughly trained in, nor do they fully comprehend how their advice might significantly impact the mental health of their audience,
They tend to overuse and misuse psychological terms, a phenomenon commonly referred to as psychobabble (for instance, terms like narcissist or antisocial personality disorder),
This practice can trivialize and minimize the real struggles of people who genuinely suffer from recognized conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder,
It can inadvertently teach people to overgeneralize psychological theories about relationships and groups of individuals in ways that are not helpful or constructive.
> How to Keep Yourself Safe
Not all this content is negative and with the use of a few tricks, you can continue to enjoy it healthily.
Remind yourself that the content is for entertainment purposes.
Confirm the creator’s expertise before taking advice.
Go to their page and look under their profile picture. They may mention their education or license.
THEN go to psychologytoday.com or google to look them up.
Be aware that an influencer referring to themselves as a “therapist”, “coach” and “expert” does not automatically mean that they have received any formal training.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding mental health, therapy options, or relationship dynamics, please feel free to reach out to a qualified professional therapist like myself. I am here to help you navigate these important topics and provide support as needed!
