Instagram ≠ therapy
Social media has made it exceptionally easy to stay connected and informed. Like us, many health care professionals take advantage of social media’s reach to share expertise, foster community, and integrate a sense of humanness in the fast-paced development of technology. As many of you are aware, we aim to do this on our Instagram page by posting relatable, helpful, and insightful tips on a range of topics like stress management, burnout, maternal mental health, and so much more.
While we love that our content resonates deeply with you, let’s pause for a moment and reconsider how swiftly we digest content online.
What you see is (not always) what you get
It might seem obvious, but it's worth mentioning - loudly and often - in a world where therapeutic content is easily accessible everywhere. The tips and insights we provide online, although come from our qualified and compassionate team of Psychologists, are not personalised to each individual who consumes the content. Watching a minute-long reel or swiping on a carousel post is far from sitting across a Psychologist who has the capacity to hold the breadth of a whole human. What we post online, is designed to educate, validate, and support the intricacies of the human experience. Through our content, we reassure our followers that they aren’t alone and encourage them to seek support.
The stress-management tips.
The tips on keeping burnout away.
The validation of a mother’s mental load.
These are all curated with our sincerest intentions. But what can’t we do? We can’t ask you follow-up questions. We don’t know your childhood or cultural context. We don’t know your goals. We don’t know the exact circumstances of your life the second you view our content.
Therapy, on the other hand, allows for this tailored approach. It draws on the biopsychosocial model, looking at your biological, psychological, and social factors that influence and shape the person you are. More and more research has addressed this. What we think can’t possibly be related to our stress, like headaches and migraines, are just manifestations of stress showing up differently. But more on this next week!
Social media will not ever be able to collaborate with you in the same manner as your therapist, working on personalised care and conversation. And that’s okay. Instagram has never - and should never - be an attempt at replacing therapeutic support. Instead, it is a great place to begin thinking about your mental health. It’s a space where big ideas can become more accessible and prompt further research. It can play a huge role in destigmatising mental health. But, it’s not a substitute for real, personal care.
We put a lot of time, intention and thought into the content we share. But we also strive to be as transparent as possible: If you’re struggling in ways that feel bigger and deeper than a single post can hold, therapy can help. You deserve support that’s made for you.
Interested in therapy? Our clinicians offer warm, evidence-based and trauma-informed care. Learn more about our services by clicking here.
With warmth,
Ruchi