The platform takes viewers on episodic adventures in the field of social work
By Faye Beard
On TikTok, social workers are giving the cyberworld a glimpse of a day in their fascinating lives. Posting witty memes, valuable resources, and digital therapy tips, the practitioners are showing just how important and impactful their professions are.
Justine O’Brien, LMSW, explained the benefits of embracing social media to NASW. “Social workers are now reaching people from across the world, unlike ever before,” said O’Brien, a therapist at a women’s and family counseling service in Brooklyn. “There are TikTok channels devoted to social workers sharing evidence-based practices and other insights. You can stomp out stigma around mental and substance abuse. And during a crisis, you can quickly share resources, advocate for community needs and offer practical support.”
Here are some social workers to watch on TikTok.
@the.truth.doctor
Dr. Courtney Tracy, LCSW, has 26.8 million likes @the.truth.doctor. The TikTok sensation breaks down complex mental health issues into digestible posts like the 9 criteria of Borderline Personality Disorder. A doctor of psychology, she documented the publishing journey of her book, “Your Unconscious Is Showing: Take Control of Life with the 12 Steps of Consciousness.” One meme asked, “Why do people think something is wrong with you?” Then the Truth Doctor responds, “I just tell the truth, and telling the truth is crazy in a world full of lies.”
@ohhnoodles
With 578,000 likes, Jacob Singhavong, MSW, is the content creator @ohhnoodles. The first-generation Laotian-American promotes his children’s book titled, “Sticky Rice for Lunch.” In his reels, he models his comfy-casual outfits for the day for his role as a school counselor. He also gave viewers a virtual tour of the Counselor Coffee Cart, a space he created for teachers to relax and chill before school starts. It gives him a chance to get to know his colleagues better. He serves teachers coffee or caramel and chai lattes. His tagline is, “Let me fill your cup today.”
@healingissavibe
The SocialWorkGuru, LCSW, who has 119,400 likes @healingissavibe. In her posts, she describes the 10 types of social workers, shares how she challenges her clients in therapy, and advises other social workers how to land six-figure positions. In one post, Guru explains how social workers need to be social and reach out to organizations. “I made it my business to get to know the resources in the community, and I made it my business to get the resources to know me too,” she said. “That’s how I built relationships. That’s how I made connections.”
@melmsif
Melannie Martinez, LMSW, has 2.4 million likes @melmsif, where she showcases games, toys, and visual aids to connect with children during therapy sessions. As a first-generation Mexican-American, Martinez provides bilingual communication and culturally responsive practices and interventions. She shared student activity workbooks that tackle school shootings, homelessness, deportations, wildfires, and war. In one post, she explains how keeping a jar of sour candy in her office helps to ease her clients of anxiety, sensory overloads, and panic attacks.
@gilbertmbell_lmsw
Gilbert M. Bell, LMSW, operates the Prep & Pass with Mr. Bell with 69,200 likes @gilbertmbell_lmsw. To help boost test scores, Bell posts rapid-fire questions and pop quizzes for the LCSW and LMSW exams. He offers free consultations and free full-length practice sessions for students, new grads, and exam retakers. “Why is cultural humility more effective than cultural competence in social work practice?” asked one post. Swipe left for the answer: “Cultural humility involves ongoing self-reflection and personal commitment to learning, while cultural competence implies a fixed mastery of cultural knowledge.”
On a professional note, social workers should consult the guidelines in Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice, NASW Code of Conduct, and Tips for Social Media Etiquette in Social Work Practice.
Lastly, O’Brien reminds social workers of another reason to embrace social media. “You can be authentic and creative and have fun while doing it.”
Faye Beard is a freelance writer in New York.