Natalia Gomez Carlier Psychologist & Art Psychotherapist MAAT, ATR-BC
Social media is affecting our mental health, and also affecting the therapeutic relationship that is supposed to help us improve our mental health. As therapists social media has become an aspect of our work. We moved from being anonymous and seeking to become a blank canvas to participating in the digital world through our handles and profiles.
In terms of the literature regarding the impact of social media, the jury is still out. Some studies have shown a relationship between social media use and adverse mental health outcomes. But other studies have evidenced that social media can be beneficial for some people. In general, the time in social media is less important than the context, and the actual content viewed. However, empty scrolling, vaguebooking (posting that is intentionally vague, highly emotional, and personal), cyberbullying, and Nomophobia (extreme fear of not having your phone) were clearly identified as deeply concerning.
Regardless, we are all now creating digital narratives, a different way to express our feelings, thoughts, and especially our likes and dislikes. These narratives help us deal with our desires, conflicts, and anxieties. Some people find more expression in their digital narrative and can take more risks examining challenging and sensitive topics such as human rights, religion, and mental health. What is new is that all of this communication is lacking in non-verbal components. There is no tone, cadence in the voice, no arm movements, no facial expressions that can help us translate the meaning of the emotion with which messages are being communicated. It is easy to make mistakes and misinterpret communication.
In terms of the therapeutic relationship, social media can cause significant shifts in this extremely private relationship. Historically, therapeutic neutrality was the goal. In art therapy, it was to be a blank canvas, open and clear so that clients could project what they needed in the therapeutic space. Training included avoiding personal questions and information, creating a space that is centered in the client. Interpersonal and relational approaches changed this and invited therapists to consciously use self-disclosure if it aligned with the treatment goals of their clients.
The therapeutic relationship was then meant to be somewhat a blank canvas, with few associations and where any image can reveal. Where self-disclosure came as needed and with awareness. However, this has changed with social media. Clients can now investigate their chosen therapist from their posts and tweets. The line between the personal and the professional has become blurred. Hence, self-disclosure can now happen accidentally and unintentionally. The information shared on social media is difficult to contain. For instance, “I googled my therapist” has 474,000 results. We still can’t understand how it impacts the therapeutic relationship. Researchers concluded that social media adds layers in communication, intimacy, and privacy in clinical practice. Some of these layers can add a sense of safety to clients who find positive reviews and cause misattunement when the information does not match the client’s expectations. If you do google your therapist coming clean is best, it supports the relationship creating more honesty and connection.
Social media is changing the world, and it is happening so fast that we do not have the power to understand it. To explore what is good for us and what we should curtail. I would invite you to consider how social media is affecting YOU. How do you feel after you scroll? How can you support yourself in being more aware of how your digital narrative becomes a part of you.
References
Bashir, H., & Bhat, S. A. (2017). Effects of social media on mental health: A review. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 4(3), 125–131.
Berryman, C., Ferguson, C. J., & Negy, C. (2018). Social media use and mental health among young adults. Psychiatric quarterly, 89(2), 307–314.
Coyne, S. M., Rogers, A. A., Zurcher, J. D., Stockdale, L., & Booth, M. (2020). Does time spent using social media impact mental health?: An eight year longitudinal study. Computers in Human Behavior, 104, 106160.
Kaluzeviciute, G. (2020). Social Media and its Impact on Therapeutic Relationships. British Journal of Psychotherapy, 36(2), 303–320.
Lewis, A. (2006). Analytic impasse and the third: Clinical implications of intersubjectivity theory. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 87, 349.
Balick, A. (2012). TMI in the transference LOL: Psychoanalytic reflections on Google, social networking, and ‘virtual impingement’. Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society, 17(2), 120–136.
Kolmes, K., & Taube, D. O. (2016). Client discovery of psychotherapist personal information online. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 47(2), 147.
Suler, J. (2004). The online disinhibition effect. Cyberpsychology & behavior, 7(3), 321–326.
Artwork: “Blank Canvas?” Digital Collage by Natalia Gomez Carlier
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