Therapy Isn’t a Trend: Why Mental Hygiene Deserves More Than Just a Hashtag
The Rise of ‘Therapy Speak’ & the Misuse of Mental Health Language
In 2025, conversations around mental health are louder than ever. You can’t scroll Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube without seeing someone self-diagnose with anxiety, declare boundaries with a “narcissist,” or post “healing era” videos backed by moody audio. While this increased awareness signals a cultural shift, it raises a serious question: Are we turning therapy into a trend?
According to a 2023 Psychology Today analysis, terms like gaslighting, trauma, and boundaries spiked in Google Trends by over 200% from 2019–2023 (McDermott, 2023). While these terms originate in clinical practice, their misuse has grown widespread across social platforms. A TikTok video using #narcissist now averages 1.6M views—not because viewers are pursuing diagnostics, but because sensationalized content performs well (Kanter, 2023).
The danger here is twofold: real mental illnesses are reduced to buzzwords, and people start diagnosing others or themselves without clinical guidance. This diminishes the gravity of serious conditions and may actually deter individuals from seeking legitimate help.
Evidence-Based Coaching Is Not Gaslighting—It’s Grounding
While therapy can feel inaccessible due to stigma, cost, or lack of culturally competent providers, mental health coaching has emerged as a research-supported and effective alternative. Unlike trend-based advice on social media, coaching provides structure, accountability, and personalized tools that are tailored to your real-world stressors—not just your algorithm.
One study from the Journal of Medical Internet Research (2023) found that digital health coaching had a “clinically meaningful impact on pediatric mental health,” reducing anxiety and depression symptoms with sustained improvement over time (Sze et al., 2023). Another study from the Mayo Clinic (2021) showed that wellness coaching led to measurable gains in emotional health, even after six months, with participants reporting higher satisfaction in life and reduced depressive symptoms (Begg et al., 2021).
My Approach: Grounded in Research, Not Clickbait
Through RSM LLC, my mission is to bridge the gap between mental hygiene and accessible public health. My coaching sessions are rooted in trauma-informed, neuro-linguistic, and solution-focused methods that empower you—not just entertain you. This isn’t about buzzwords. It’s about sustainable, research-backed transformation.
Want proof? Tune in to The Group Sessions Podcast – “Therapy Isn’t a Trend” where we explore how the commodification of mental health content impacts real people. We break down the psychology behind performative healing, offer strategies for identifying quality care, and share stories from those who’ve turned away from hashtags and toward actual help.
You Deserve More Than Trauma Bait
If you’re tired of vague affirmations and viral “healing hacks” that leave you stuck, book a one-on-one mental health coaching session with me. Let’s identify what’s really going on, map out your healing goals, and get you the tools that actually work. It’s time to protect your peace—and your brain.
You don’t have to choose between silence or shouting into the void online. You can work with someone who knows the data, understands the culture, and is ready to help you change your life.
🔗 References
Begg, S., Vine, M., Sadeghi, A., & Hwang, S. (2021). Effectiveness of Wellness Coaching on Mental Health Outcomes: A Six-Month Follow-Up Study. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/physical-medicine-rehabilitation/news/study-finds-wellness-coaching-benefits-last-over-time/mac-20431166
Kanter, J. (2023). When Mental Health Terms Become Clickbait. The Atlantic.
McDermott, M. (2023). The Overuse of Therapy Buzzwords: Why It Matters. Psychology Today.
Sze, S. M., Chen, C., Miller, R. C., & Hart, L. A. (2023). Digital Coaching for Mental Health: A Randomized Controlled Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(2). https://www.bendhealth.com/blog/new-study-reveals-coaching-has-clinically-meaningful-impact-on-pediatric-mental-health
🔊 Podcast Episode
🎧 Listen Now: The Group Sessions Podcast
Hosted by Robert Saint Michael, Mental Health Coach & Master NLP Practitioner.
