5322 Discussion 4 4
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Lamar University *
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5322
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Communications
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Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by SuperHumanArtLobster16
Discussion 4
Anyway, the article I chose for the Week 4 Assignment comes from Triplett et. al. (2020), titled “Ethics for Mental Health Influencers: MFTs as Public Social Media Personalities.” In it, the authors explain what it means to be a Mental Health Influencer (MHI) and address the lack of specific ethical guidelines by exploring the ethical issues related to the Marriage and Family Therapists' (MFTs) decision to act as a Mental Health Influencer.
The authors examine how professional boundaries can be pushed when MFTs cross over to become MHIs, creating a dual relationship. The article proposes ethical dilemmas that may arise as a result of social media followers developing a parasocial therapeutic relationship, or a one-sided bond with a celebrity (in this case the MHI), as a result of their online interactions.
As a means of preventing the unethical use of social media, the authors also provide specific recommendations for MFT-MHIs to consider that are rooted in the American Association of Marriage
and Family Therapy’s (AAMFTs) Code of Ethics. Some of the recommendations to MFT-MHIs include: ensuring that audiences are aware that social media platforms provide no guarantees of privacy and confidentiality; must recognize their influence and how audiences may view their opinions as professionally-informed judgment; clarifying the nature of the MHI-audience relationship by clearly stating the expectations audience members should have about them acting in the MHI role; establishing clear professional boundaries and clarifying the limits to their capabilities and services; being aware of the limitations to obtaining informed consent in a digital environment. While I do think there are benefits to MFTs serving as MHIs, which the article does address, there are a multitude of ethical issues about which MFT-MHIs must be knowledgeable. MFT-MHIs must work diligently to protect their audiences from exploitation and harm, always keeping in mind the tenets of their professional ethical codes and regulations. Even with all the recommendations provided by the authors, social media is a dynamic space, making it difficult for MFT-MHIs to avoid any harm. I believe the potential to harm audiences far outweighs any possible benefit to the MHI.
References
Triplett, N. T., Kingzette, A., Slivinski, L., & Niu, T. (2022). Ethics for Mental Health Influencers: MFTs as Public Social Media Personalities.
Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal
,
44
(2), 125–135.
https://doi-org.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.1007/s10591-021-09632-3
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