Jeff Guenther can hardly imagine it himself.

The therapist went from dwelling a standard life in Portland, Ore., working his personal observe and being lively within the psychological well being group, to a TikTok star referred to as @TherapyJeff in a only a few months.

“The transition for my present shoppers was a bizarre one,” Guenther, 42, tells PEOPLE. “However we have all made it via safely!”

Now he helps his 2.6 million followers navigate their trickiest relationship points, whether or not it is lies individuals inform themselves after they’re hooking up with somebody in a dedicated relationship or how to deal with the one who bought away. And he does it with a nuanced humor that followers love.

He positively is aware of what he is speaking about: Relationships have been Guenther’s specialty since 2008, when he transitioned from household remedy to seeing grownup sufferers who felt anxious of their relationships. “I used to be exploring codependency method earlier than it was cool on TikTok,” he says, laughing.

Guenther determined to attempt his personal hand at social media within the aftermath of the pandemic. “Through the pandemic I bought Zoom fatigue from solely seeing shoppers on the pc — I wasn’t in a position to join with them in the identical method,” he says. Unable to focus on something however his sufferers, he let his inventive initiatives slide. “I watched the primary 40 seasons of Survivor,” he says.” After that I used to be replenished and needed to get again to being actually inventive.

“I used to be scrolling on TikTok and psychological well being was trending and I used to be like, I can do that.” He posted his first video in Sept. 2021. His fourth one went viral. “I bought actually into it and really excited and I like the suggestions,” he admits. “I am most likely too hooked on the validation, however I am high quality with it as a result of I am conscious of it.”

TherapyJeff’s content material additionally helps individuals higher perceive themselves, together with their attachment type, triggers and wishes. “A variety of my content material revolves round validation, like, I am validating your emotions, and your emotional expertise is actual. There’s lots of people talking up extra about their wants, and what they’re wanting and anticipating,” he says.

It is totally different from when he first began his observe as a licensed skilled counselor.

“The bar has been raised in the case of emotional intelligence,” he says. “Now we anticipate our companions to have the ability to talk higher or extra clearly or truthfully.”

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Recognized for his graphic tees (principally of “cringe ‘90s bands — I absolutely personal it and I like them”), Guenther additionally crosses into household territory at instances. “The best way that we present up in romantic relationships is closely influenced by {our relationships} with our dad and mom or caregivers or household or siblings rising up,” he explains.

“I attempt to take a holistic strategy: It’s not simply your fault or your companion’s fault, however it’s your dad and mom’ fault,” he jokes. “That is who we will actually blame in your issues.”

Then he will get extra severe: “It is us that should take duty for truly addressing these issues in order that we do not go them on to different those who we love, or our youngsters if we resolve to have them.”

Whereas Guenther nonetheless maintains his personal observe, he solely sees about 10-12 individuals every week and provided that they have been his earlier shoppers. “ I have never taken on any new shoppers as a result of I do not know tips on how to deal with that. Persons are fan-girling! ”

However that doesn’t cease them from asking. “In my disclaimers I say that I can’t reply to DMs or give private recommendation — it’s not moral for me to do this.” He’ll use feedback and inquiries to encourage his content material, nevertheless. “About 75% of the content material I make is from questions and suggestions that I get from individuals.” 

The most well-liked matter? Breakups. “I discuss loads about what wholesome relationships ought to appear like,” he says. “Individuals take that and examine it to the connection that they are in.” When he’s acknowledged in public, he says, it is normally by girls who cease and thank him for serving to them notice they wanted to alter their scenario. “They actually have very variety phrases to say, like, you bought me via a extremely tough time.”

And that, he says, is rewarding.

“For many of my profession, there was this gatekeeping factor about remedy the place you might see a therapist should you had insurance coverage, should you had some huge cash, should you had numerous therapists in your metropolis. You needed to be privileged in a couple of alternative ways as a way to entry remedy and get this attention-grabbing perception. After all, it is totally different than individualized remedy however it nonetheless offers extra entry.”

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On the identical time, he admits that social media use — even scrolling mindlessly about psychological well being matters — could be detrimental. “Should you use social media an excessive amount of, it should most likely have a unfavorable psychological well being impact. It is bizarre as a result of I assume I’m a part of the issue. However content material creators additionally assist shine a lightweight in your psychological well being, making you extra considerate and conscious of it.

“And TikTok creates wonderful communities the place individuals like really feel like they’re seen and understood and valued in ways in which they’ve by no means been earlier than.” It is one of many explanation why, as a part of Might’s Psychological Well being Consciousness Month, TikTok introduced a $2M donation of advert credit to organizations engaged on supporting psychological well-being.

To navigate social media platforms in a wholesome method, Guenther urges individuals to create their very own boundaries. “We have to proceed to teach individuals to examine in with themselves. It’s virtually like intuitive consuming the place you might eat mindlessly and never even give it some thought. You are not checking in together with your physique till impulsively, you are identical to, I really feel horrible. However should you’re being considerate concerning the issues that you just’re placing in your physique, or the issues that you just’re watching on social media, then you definitely could be like much more balanced about your strategy.” 

Subsequent up for Guenther is a e-book, which is popping out subsequent summer season. 

And for anybody on the market who’s questioning, sure, he’s in a relationship — with one other therapist. “We’re friends and she or he is whip-smart, emotionally clever and really humorous,” he says.

“She is aware of that TherapyJeff is only a character. However she will get the true model.”