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While some therapists on TikTok are just aiming to open up the conversation around mental health, others like Maalouf have used their ever-growing following as a business platform and an opportunity to expand their client base.TikTok has changed my practice people see the tips, they relate to me and then reach out for therapy with me. I now have a full caseload with a waiting list, Ive hired a therapist and Im currently working on hiring another, she says.

To offset any concerns of over-simplifying complex topics, Maalouf recently launched a podcast with psychotherapist and co-host Nadia Addesi,Anxious Like You, where they discuss some of the more challenging topics in more than 60-second snippets. We wanted to talk about some of these topics in much more depth to talk about our own struggles and interview celebrity guests about their anxieties too, she explains.

Yet despite concerns, the comments on TikTok therapy videos like Smiths and Maaloufs are filled with praise. I love your energy, reads one. Thanks for the knowledge, this is so helpful, reads another.

Rachel*, 23, is a regular TikTok user and says she finds the videos very relatable: If you see a video discussing anxiety or family trauma it can help you acknowledge and discuss topics you might not feel safe to do in other places. It makes me feel less alone. Of course, you cant get the same out of a 60-second TikTok video as an hour of therapy, but I think the fact that therapy is being actively and openly encouraged to teenagers and twentysomethings is a good thing.

Rosie Weatherley from mental health charity Mind says: Social media can be good for our mental health, helping people feel less isolated, and share their experiences with others who might be struggling with similar problems. Using online resources can also help us to find out more information about mental health problems, including symptoms and treatment options.

Weve seen some great mental health content on TikTok videos that are empathetic, de-stigmatising, normalisingand accessible. However, its important to remember that not all the information you find online will be reliable and it can be useful to ask yourself some questions including who is sharing it and why? Are they a reliable source and is the information up to date?

If youre looking for reliable information about mental health diagnoses and treatments, Mind has lots of information available on itswebsite. You could also look at the NHS website or ask your GP.

If you feel like you are experiencing problems with your mental health, speak to someone you trust, like a friend, family member or your GP.

*The name has been changed

Read this article:
Inside the world of TikTok therapy: can social media doctors help an anxious generation? - The Telegraph