When Influence Becomes Harmful: The Unregulated Rise of “Coaches” and the Erosion of Expertise

And yet — here we are.

The Rise of the Unqualified “Expert”

In today’s world, anyone can call themselves a coach. No formal training. No clinical supervision. No ethical oversight.Just a Canva logo, a ring light, a few well-angled selfies, and a promise to change your life.

Meanwhile, licensed therapists, psychologists, and counselors — professionals who are legally bound to do no harm — are being drowned out, discredited, or dismissed as “too regulated” or “too expensive.”

We’re not too much of those things. We’re too much of what’s inconvenient: accountable.

What It Really Takes to Be a Licensed Mental Health Professional

Licensed clinicians aren’t just passionate — we’re qualified, and we’re held to standards that protect the public:

• Master’s degrees from accredited programs

• Thousands of hours of supervised clinical work

• Passage of national licensing exams

• Adherence to strict ethical codes from boards like the ACA, APA, and NASW

• 36 hours of continuing education every three years to maintain licensure

• Regular evaluation of our own unconscious biases, to ensure we’re not projecting personal beliefs onto clients

The principle of “do no harm” isn’t a slogan — it’s a legal and ethical commitment. Therapists are trained to reflect, self-monitor, and hold space for others without imposing personal agendas.

But Coaches Don’t Have to Do Any of That

Many online coaches — even those in the “trauma healing” space — operate with no credentialing, oversight, or psychological training. They often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, unaware of the psychological risk of pushing their personal beliefs, unresolved trauma, or unconscious biases onto clients.

And with no regulating body, there's no system in place to stop them.

Their credibility? Often based solely on followers, aesthetics, and viral soundbites — not clinical competence.

The Dangerous Allure of Influencer “Healing”

We live in a moment where trauma is trending.Words like “narcissist,” “gaslighting,” “attachment style,” and “inner child” are being tossed around like viral hashtags.

But behind those buzzwords is a disturbing trend:

What many people don’t realize is this:

A lot of coaches aren’t trained in mental health — they’re trained in sales psychology.

They’re taught how to:

• Identify and target your emotional pain points

• Build trust through personal storytelling

• Create urgency by promising transformation

• Sell you a high-ticket package that sounds like your only way out

In short, they’re not trained to help you — they’re trained to sell to you.

That’s not trauma-informed. That’s marketing.And it can be deeply manipulative — especially for those who are vulnerable, hurting, or looking for hope.

Let me be clear: Not all coaches are unethical.Many are kind, thoughtful people who genuinely want to help. But when there are no guidelines, no scope of practice, and no accountability — harm is not just possible, it’s inevitable.

The Fallout: When “Help” Hurts

As a therapist, I’ve seen the emotional wreckage firsthand.Clients show up heartbroken, ashamed, or more dysregulated after following influencer advice like:

• “If they don’t meet all your needs, they’re toxic — cut them off.”

• “You don’t need therapy — just raise your vibration.”

• “If you’re not healing, you’re not trying hard enough.”

This isn’t healing. It’s spiritual bypassing at best, psychological harm at worst.

And it’s undermining real mental health care.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

We’re at a cultural crossroads. It’s time to ask:

• How do we hold space for alternative paths to healing without sacrificing science, ethics, or safety?

• How do we protect vulnerable people from being exploited in the name of “healing”?

• How do we restore trust in licensed experts who have trained, studied, and committed their careers to doing no harm?

A Call for Awareness — and Accountability

It’s time for a shift. One where:

• Coaching is transparently scoped — and ideally, ethically regulated

• Consumers are educated about the difference between therapy and coaching

• Social media platforms are held accountable for amplifying misinformation

• Licensed professionals are empowered to take up space in online conversations — without needing to become influencers to be heard

Because healing is not a trend.And trauma is not a brand.

Credibility Isn’t a Vibe

If someone’s entire credential is social media popularity, charisma, or the ability to go viral — they’re not a mental health professional. They’re an entertainer. And lives are too precious to gamble on a performance.

It’s time we stop confusing charisma with credibility.