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Episode #58 - The Ethics of Being a Public Therapist: Social Media, Podcasts, and Beyond with Dr. Kiki Fehling

Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.

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Episode Summary: As mental health knowledge increasingly moves beyond the therapy room and into public-facing spaces—social media, podcasts, blogs, and newsletters—therapists are navigating new ethical terrain.

In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW is joined by licensed psychologist and DBT expert Dr. Kiki Fehling for a thoughtful conversation about what it means for therapists to show up publicly with integrity, clarity, and ethical care.

Together, they explore how public-facing psychoeducation can expand access, reduce stigma, and counter misinformation—while also examining ethical considerations around visibility, self-disclosure, confidentiality, political expression, and professional identity. Rather than offering rigid rules, this episode invites clinicians into a more reflective, values-driven approach to public engagement.

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Topics Discussed:

  • Why therapists are increasingly visible in public-facing spaces
  • Public psychoeducation as a public health intervention
  • Ethical self-disclosure and boundary-setting online
  • Responding to comments and DMs without practicing therapy in public
  • Navigating politics, human rights, and professional responsibility
  • Protecting confidentiality and scope of practice in digital spaces

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About Our Guest: Dr. Kiki Fehling is a licensed psychologist, author, speaker, and Linehan Board–Certified Clinician in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She is known for her public-facing psychoeducation through @dbtkiki, her Substack How To Queer Joy, her book Self-Directed DBT Skills, her DBT Cards for Coping Skills deck, and her work with the suicide prevention nonprofit Now Matters Now. Learn more about DBT at behavioraltech.org. Dr. Fehling is also a WomenHeart Champion, using both clinical expertise and lived experience to advocate for equity in cardiac health.

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Upcoming Workshop With Our Guest

Ethics of Personal Branding for Therapists: How to Get Started, Show Up Wisely, and Maintain Boundaries in Digital Spaces

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Conflict of Interest Disclosure: This episode includes discussion of an upcoming continuing education training offered through Affirm Mental Health. The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health and will receive financial benefit from course registrations. Dr. Kiki Fehling is a paid presenter for this training. The workshop is free for Affirm Academy members. No other financial conflicts of interest are reported.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional.

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