As a CBT therapist, I’ve decided to do something a little terrifying. I’m going to start creating mental health video content on TikTok and YouTube.
In just over a month, I’ll be turning 43 (not that I’m counting), and I’ve decided to do something that terrifies me almost as much as not being able to have my morning coffee. I’m going to start making video content. You might think I’d be better off sticking to blog posts, and I will keep doing them because I love to write. But the truth is, social media is where many people, especially young people, are learning about mental health. And I want to be part of that conversation.
Why I’m doing this (even though it scares me)
Someone recently told me that only over-40s use Facebook now, which made me feel pretty ancient but has also helped to inform this decision. In my work, I support a lot of children, teenagers, and young adults, and I see how social media shapes their understanding of emotions, anxiety, and wellbeing. While TikTok and YouTube are full of brilliant (and not-so-brilliant) advice, I want to share reliable, evidence-based CBT skills in a format that’s engaging, accessible, and maybe even a little fun. I also want to push myself!
As a CBT therapist, I spend a lot of time helping people face fears, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and step outside of their comfort zones. I guess that makes me a hypocritic to keep telling clients, “It’s good to do the scary thing!” whilst hiding behind my laptop and avoiding the ‘record’ button.
The truth is that the online world can be brutal. I’m under no illusion that by putting my face (and let’s be honest, my fine lines) on camera, I’ll be inviting opinions, kind, unkind, and everything in between. But if I want to reach more people, especially children and young people, I need to meet them where they already are and today that is usually ‘online’.
What you can expect
I’ll be sharing short, accessible videos with practical CBT tools, emotional regulation skills, and bits of real-life psychology, the kind of things that can make you stop scrolling for 30 seconds and think, “Oh, that actually helps.”
It won’t replace therapy (nothing can), but I hope it will help continue to normalise the idea that it’s okay to not be okay, and that small steps toward understanding ourselves can make a big difference.
Practice what you preach
So here I am, a therapist on the brink of 43, learning new ways to share my knowledge and appreciating the patient support (and occasional eye roll) from my teenagers, who are thankfully fluent in Cap Cut and social media.
If you’re curious, follow along. You’ll find a mix of educational mental health content, a dash of humour, and more than few technical mishaps along the way. You can find me on TikTok by clicking here
Wish me luck, and if you’ve got any good lighting tips, please send them immediately.
