Many young people today are relying on Instagram therapists for therapy. While their content can help you feel less alone, it is not a substitute for therapy. In fact, their content is packaged in a way that one can relate to it. Therefore, it tends to be simplistic and shallow. It feels good enough for you to “like” it but it won’t have any lasting impact on your life. It won’t help you in the way a session with a therapist will. Not even close.
It’s all a matter of convenience.
Yes, it’s far more convenient to scroll through Instagram instead of consulting a therapist. But like many things that come easy, it’s not beneficial. For example, it’s natural to use one Instagram therapist’s advice whenever it’s convenient and switch to another therapist’s advice when the former’s advice is no longer palatable.
Thus, you’re playing the system, and doing this isn’t going to help your either change or grow. If you want to fix your problems or improve your life, you need to consult an actual therapist to get to the root of your issues.
London-based psychotherapist Seerut K. Chawla agrees — and explains why.
“Therapeutic work is honestly made a mockery of on Instagram. Psychotherapy is deep, individualized, powerful work. What we see here (often including from me) is psychoeducation, advice, or personal reflections – which have nothing to do with a therapist/client relationship.
We’re attracted to ideas like this because (to be brutally honest) most of us are work-shy, so we want an easy answer. Please don’t waste your time, you deserve something efficacious.
Essentially this is the difference between getting sensible evidence-based nutrition advice vs someone who tells you to drink lemon water to detox. There’s nothing wrong with lemon water—I personally enjoy it—but it won’t change my life. The sensible advice might.”
Instagram Therapy can serve you if you use it wisely.
In conclusion, Instagram can and should not be your therapist. Use it as something to refer to, not as a replacement for therapy.
