88: Therapists on TikTok (will sometimes be mean to you) with DeeDee Wednesday, LPC-S
Apr 22, 2024
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Therapist DeeDee Wednesday discusses modern therapy, authenticity as a therapist on TikTok, navigating difficult interactions, setting boundaries, and the power of choice in responding authentically. Dive into the world of online therapy and personal growth with insights on handling negativity and maintaining integrity.
Therapists on TikTok challenge traditional roles, bridging authenticity and expertise in mental health education online.
Vulnerability and authenticity in therapy forge meaningful connections, promoting trust and deeper therapeutic progress.
Therapists navigate negative feedback online with balance, authenticity, and setting boundaries to maintain professionalism.
Empowerment through self-awareness and intentional responses fosters personal growth and genuine engagement in challenging situations.
Upholding integrity and self-respect online requires setting boundaries, responding authentically, and prioritizing mental well-being in digital spaces.
Deep dives
Discussing Authenticity and Online Presence in Therapy
Being online as a therapist challenges traditional expectations of professionalism, often associated with white Western therapy standards of therapists being a blank slate. Now, therapists utilize platforms like TikTok to share psychoeducational content, bridging the gap between an authentic presence and expertise in the mental health field, disrupting traditional therapeutic roles. The balance between personal authenticity and professional boundaries is a key point of discussion, highlighting the evolving nature of therapy in digital spaces.
Embracing Vulnerability in Therapeutic Relationships
The podcast explores the importance of therapists showing vulnerability and authenticity to forge meaningful connections with clients. Rather than conforming to the outdated idea of leaving one's personality at the door, therapists are encouraged to bring their whole selves into sessions, fostering relatability and trust. Clients benefit from seeing therapists as genuine individuals, promoting deeper therapeutic progress and human connection.
Navigating Expectations and Boundaries Online
The discussion delves into the complexities of dealing with public commentary and negative feedback as a therapist online. Facing unrealistic expectations and harsh judgments, therapists navigate the delicate balance of self-expression and professional comportment. Managing parasocial relationships and setting boundaries become crucial aspects in maintaining authenticity while addressing external critiques.
Empowerment Through Choice and Self-Awareness
Empowerment through self-awareness and choice emerges as a central theme, highlighting the importance of responding consciously rather than reactively to challenging situations. Therapists emphasize the significance of distress tolerance, acknowledging the power of intentional responses and conscious choices in navigating conflict and difficult interactions. The discussion emphasizes the transformative potential of self-awareness in fostering personal growth and authentic engagement.
Upholding Integrity and Self-Respect in Online Interactions
The conversation underscores the need for therapists to uphold their integrity and self-respect in online engagements, especially when confronted with disrespect. Setting personal boundaries and responding authentically to comments, the podcast advocates for maintaining a balance between assertiveness and compassion in addressing negative interactions. The importance of self-care and preserving one's mental well-being amidst online challenges is highlighted, emphasizing the value of valuing oneself in digital spaces.
Promoting Reflection and Growth in Personal Interactions
Encouraging introspection and personal growth, the podcast advocates for reflecting on one's responses and examining the underlying motivations in interactions. Embracing vulnerability and authenticity leads to deeper self-understanding and empowers individuals to navigate complex social dynamics effectively. By cultivating self-awareness and an intentionality in communication, individuals can foster healthier relationships and emotional resilience.
Self-Compassion and Empowerment Through Boundaries
The discussion encourages practitioners to prioritize self-compassion and empowerment through establishing clear boundaries in interactions. By recognizing the difference between reactive and intentional responses, therapists can navigate interpersonal challenges with grace and self-assurance. Embracing the power of choice and self-expression, individuals are empowered to set healthy boundaries and uphold their integrity amidst online interactions.
Embracing Imperfections and Empowering Authenticity
Acknowledging imperfections and embracing authenticity emerges as key to empowering genuine self-expression and fostering human connections. The podcast emphasizes the significance of owning one's vulnerabilities and realness in professional and personal interactions. By rejecting perfectionism and embracing personal agency, individuals can cultivate deeper self-awareness and navigate relational complexities with grace and authenticity.
Promoting Resilience Through Self-Aware Choices
Fostering resilience through self-aware decision-making and intentional responses underlines the importance of self-empowerment and personal agency. Practitioners advocate for responding authentically while maintaining professionalism, enabling individuals to navigate challenging interactions with confidence and integrity. By prioritizing self-awareness and assertiveness, individuals can promote emotional resilience and authentic engagement in diverse social contexts.
Today’s episode is all about mental health, therapy, and being online as a therapist. We are diving in with my guest, DeeDee Wednesday, who has created a space for intentional healing and empowerment through therapy and leadership coaching. Join us to learn more!
Show Highlights:
● An overview of DeeDee’s work as a therapist in Louisiana
● Traditional therapy is NOT today’s therapy.
● An open mind, a balancing act, and showing up as an authentic therapist
● Navigating the tricky world of TikTok (or any social media platform) as a therapist
● DeeDee’s work to show up as a therapist when entitlement, racism, and white supremacy are at play
● Understanding how moral perfectionism causes some people to act
● Having a line that you won’t cross to “do no harm”
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