Thursday, July 3, 2025
Thursday July 3, 2025
Thursday July 3, 2025

The Rise of TikTok Therapy: Good, Bad, or Dangerous?

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In a world where attention spans are short and mental health crises are growing, TikTok has emerged as an unlikely therapist’s couch. A 60-second video can explain “trauma bonding,” diagnose your “attachment style,” or tell you you’re an “empath with CPTSD.” Mental health TikTok, often tagged #TherapyTikTok or #MentalHealthMatters has racked up billions of views.

But as Gen Z increasingly turns to TikTok for emotional support, a growing debate has emerged:

Is TikTok therapy democratising access to mental health or dangerously oversimplifying it?

In this blog, we break down:

  •  The rise and reach of TikTok therapy
  •  What science and licensed professionals actually say about it
  •  The benefits, the risks, and the gray area in between
  •  Expert perspectives vs influencer narratives
  •  What to watch out for—and how to use TikTok therapy responsibly

A generation in crisis, scrolling for support

Gen Z is the most therapy-literate generation in history, also the most anxious and depressed, according to CDC and APA data.

  • Therapy is expensive or inaccessible (especially in rural or uninsured areas)
  • Stigma-free digital spaces allow open discussions about trauma, ADHD, depression, etc.
  • Short-form content offers bite-sized psychoeducation, in language Gen Z understands
  • TikTok’s algorithm creates an echo chamber of “relatable” content

Why TikTok became a mental health resource:

  • Therapy is expensive or inaccessible (especially in rural or uninsured areas)
  • Stigma-free digital spaces allow open discussions about trauma, ADHD, depression, etc.
  • Short-form content offers bite-sized psychoeducation, in language Gen Z understands
  • TikTok’s algorithm creates an echo chamber of “relatable” content

 Data Point: In 2022 alone, the hashtag #mentalhealth surpassed 43 billion views on TikTok. #Therapytok and #selfdiagnosis followed close behind.

TikTok Therapy: Help or Harm for Gen Z?

The pros: What TikTok therapy gets right

Let’s give credit where it’s due, TikTok therapy fills a gap, and many creators bring real value.

1. Normalising mental health conversations

  • Talking about trauma, neurodivergence, and anxiety openly is a cultural win.
  • Destigmatising language (e.g. “It’s okay to not be okay”) empowers users to seek help.

“Gen Z is rewriting the narrative, therapy isn’t weakness, it’s self-awareness,” says Dr. Thema Bryant, president of the American Psychological Association.

2. Psychoeducation at scale

  • Videos on emotional regulation, boundaries, and cognitive distortions offer real therapeutic tools.
  • Creators like @the.holistic.psychologist (2M+ followers) offer scientifically grounded insights.

3. Digital empathy

  • The comment sections become micro-communities for validation and shared experience.
  • For those who feel alone, these “parasocial” relationships can offer temporary relief and belonging.

The cons: What makes it risky or misleading

But not all that trends is therapy.

1. Self-diagnosis epidemic

  • ADHD, BPD, ASD, PTSD—TikTok’s rapid diagnostic culture leads users to identify with symptoms out of context.
  • Without clinical nuance, these labels become identity crutches.

A study in JMIR Mental Health found that 52% of mental health videos on TikTok were “potentially misleading, especially in self-diagnosis content.

2. Unlicensed advice

  • Many creators pose as therapists or “mental health coaches” without proper credentials.
  • There’s no vetting system—viral content ≠ verified expertise.

Dr. Justin Puder (aka @amoderntherapist) warns: “TikTok rewards what’s emotionally resonant, not what’s clinically accurate.”

3. Oversimplification of complex disorders

  • Real therapy involves unpacking emotions in context—not labeling every parent “narcissistic” after a 15-second video.
  • Buzzwords like “gaslighting,” “trauma dump,” and “toxic” are overused and misapplied, diluting their meaning.

Dangerous gray areas: When TikTok becomes harmful

Algorithmic echo chambers

TikTok’s For You Page learns from user engagement. Watching one video on depression can spiral into a feed full of dark, triggering content, which can worsen symptoms like hopelessness and suicidal ideation.

 False hope or false fear

  • “Therapist react” videos can shame people for their coping mechanisms.
  • Suggesting a disorder without clinical evaluation can lead to iatrogenic effects (believing you’re ill when you’re not).

Therapist vs influencer: Who’s your digital counselor?

There’s a huge difference between:

  •  Licensed Mental Health Professionals: Bound by ethical codes, evidence-based practices.
  •  Mental Health Influencers: Not necessarily trained, but often more charismatic and viral.

 Pro Tip: Look for credentials: LMFT, LCSW, PhD, PsyD, LPC, these are signs of licensed experts.

Dr. Naomi Torres-Mackie (NYU Langone) advises: “Use TikTok for awareness, not diagnosis. If it resonates, bring it to a licensed therapist.”

How to Use TikTok Therapy Wisely

Here’s a critical thinking checklist before you take advice from TikTok therapists:

QuestionWhy It Matters
Is the creator licensed?Licensing ensures ethical accountability
Are they giving general info or personal advice?No one should diagnose you online
Does it encourage self-reflection or instant labeling?Good therapy invites nuance
Are there links to real resources?Ethical creators offer referrals or hotlines
Do you feel validatedor, triggered, and overwhelmed?Your body knows the difference

The verdict: Good, bad, or dangerous?

Good for:

  • Reducing stigma
  • Building awareness
  • Sparking interest in real therapy

Bad when:

  • Used to self-diagnose or replace professional help
  • Delivered by unqualified creators

Dangerous If:

  • Content is emotionally manipulative or triggering
  • Users spiral into echo chambers or false identities

Therapy TikTok is a tool, not a therapist

TikTok can complement your mental health journey but it can’t replace one-on-one care. Use it as an entry point, not a final destination. Digital empathy is powerful, but real healing happens through slow, consistent, evidence-based work. If a video makes you feel seen, that’s valid. But let a licensed therapist help you carry the weight.

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