Parasocial Relationships, Social Media, & How Art Can Help Mental Health

In this episode Margaret takes the lead as she welcomes art therapist, psychotherapist, and author Amelia Knott to discuss the ethics of being online, parasocial relationships, and the impact of social media on mental health. We explore the blurred lines between personal and professional identities in digital spaces, the therapeutic power of art, and how social media fosters both connection and disconnection. Takeaways: Parasocial Relationships Feel Real—But Aren’t Always Balanced: The one-sided intimacy we form with online figures can create expectations that don’t match reality. Art Can Be a Pathway to Self-Discovery: Engaging in creative expression helps process emotions in a way that words alone sometimes can’t. The Internet Blurs Professional Boundaries: Therapists, doctors, and other professionals must carefully navigate how much of themselves to share online while maintaining ethical standards. Social Media Shapes How We See Ourselves: Being constantly observed—even by an imagined audience—can change how we experience our lives and make choices. Digital Well-Being Requires Intentionality: There’s no perfect fix for screen overuse, but being mindful of why and how we engage with digital spaces can help create a healthier relationship with technology. — Want more Amelia Knott: Instagram and TikTok: @art_therapy_irl Facebook: @art.therapy.irl Website: https://www.arttherapyinreallife.com/ Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

You may have noticed a new trend lately. Everyone is loud and proud about their mental health struggles (and thank goodness)! For practitioners, this movement is as exciting as it is frustrating. As each mental health taboo falls by the wayside as it enters the cultural zeitgeist, a new aspect of our specialty thus emerges. One we just don’t have enough hours in the day to keep track of, let alone engage with. From better understanding our patients’ (and our own) relationships with their conditions in a changing world, it’s more important than ever that we learn: HOW TO BE PATIENT! Each week, join Dr. Preston Roche (Psychiatry Resident & Digital Influencer) and Dr. Margaret Duncan (Psychiatrist & Content Creator) on their quest to better understand the patients we dedicate our lives to and the evolving paths they’re bound to travel beyond the clinic. By engaging with stories and perspectives that challenge our shared understanding of a condition, we hope you’ll similarly gain new perspectives as we look at our patients, and their mental health struggles, with further nuance and empathy. (And with Dr. & Lady Glaucomflecken producing, we've been mandated to include plenty of weird medical jokes too). Speaking of which, a key part of this is hearing YOUR stories! What’s changed your understanding of patient care? Do you have an experience that shines new light on something we’ve discussed on-air? Get in touch at: howtobepatientpod.com