Do you think that some ideas of therapy get taken out of context or have been misinterpreted by social media? (Ex: Gaslighting, trauma, boundaries, narcissism)

Yes, therapy language has absolutely been picked up by social media, and in a lot of cases it’s been simplified or stretched beyond what it actually means. Take terms like “gaslighting” or “narcissism.” In clinical contexts, these have specific meanings and patterns. Online, they’re often used more loosely to describe any disagreement, hurtful behavior, or self-centeredness. The risk is that it can blur the line between normal relational conflict and more serious, harmful dynamics. Not every miscommunication is gaslighting, and not every difficult person is a narcissist.

The same thing happens with “boundaries” and “trauma.” Boundaries are sometimes framed as cutting people off or avoiding discomfort, when in reality, they’re about communicating limits while still allowing for connection and accountability. Trauma, similarly, can be used to describe a wide range of distressing experiences, but clinically it refers to events or patterns that overwhelm someone’s ability to cope and have lasting psychological effects.

The impact of this isn’t just semantic. It can shape how people understand themselves and others. It can lead to over-pathologizing normal experiences, or on the flip side, minimizing more serious issues. It can also make relationships feel more black-and-white than they actually are.

Taylor Gaffney