Jeff Guenther, widely recognised online as “Therapy Jeff”, has made headlines after apologising for comments made on social media that were deemed offensive by many users. Guenther, who has a substantial online following with 1.4 million Instagram followers and 3 million on TikTok, addressed the backlash in a video posted on Instagram.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/therapy-jeff-042326-e287cb2b4d764357a1ab95749cfba0e4.jpg)
The controversy began when Guenther posted on the platform Threads, querying whether there exists a dedicated helpline for men fearful that they might sexually assault their partner. His post read: “Is there no dedicated national helpline for men who are scared they might sexually assault their partner? Or for anyone, for that matter?” This comment sparked considerable outrage, particularly as it coincided with a CNN investigation into a network of men involved in drugging and raping their partners.
In his subsequent apology video, Guenther expressed regret for the manner in which he framed his question, acknowledging that it inadvertently centred the issue on potential offenders rather than survivors of assault. He stated, “To anyone who read my post and felt hurt or unseen by it, I hear that, and you’re right to be angry.” Guenther recognised that his focus should have been on the experiences of survivors, rather than the internal struggles of men who might commit such actions.
The content creator admitted that he miscalculated both the tone and the clinical substance of his comments. He pointed out that his framing incorrectly treated the issue of assault as a matter of intrusive thoughts, which is contrary to established research that highlights entitlement and conscious choice as driving factors behind such behaviour. “I misapplied an OCD treatment framework to a completely different issue, and I was out of my scope,” he conceded.
Guenther’s apology was not only directed towards those who were hurt but also acknowledged the contributions of many commenters and fellow creators who took the time to educate him on the subject. He expressed gratitude towards those, particularly women and survivors, who engaged in the dialogue and helped him recognise his errors.
In addition to his controversial question regarding resources for men, Guenther faced further backlash for a separate incident involving inappropriate content. He shared a response in a deleted post that included explicit sexual details, prompting considerable criticism from followers. In his video apology, he reflected on this, stating, “For many of you, I’ve been a therapist you trusted. The work I do centres on creating safe spaces, whether that’s in an office or online. That’s not something I take lightly. I crossed a line in how sexually explicit I was in a recent post.”
Guenther admitted that the graphic nature of his comments was especially troubling given the context of rising discussions around sexual violence. He recognised that his words contributed to harmful dynamics that may make individuals feel unsafe. “I reinforced dynamics that harm people and make them feel unsafe. It was a gap in judgment. It was not appropriate,” he stated.
As he concluded his apology, Guenther emphasised the importance of accountability. He proclaimed that he respects and values feedback from those affected by his actions and reaffirmed his commitment to learn from this experience. “I’m not going to shy away from that. It’s how I do better,” he expressed.
For those seeking assistance related to sexual violence, organisations such as Stop It Now! provide confidential helplines for individuals and families concerned about inappropriate sexual behaviour. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) notes that the Stop It Now! programmes focus on adults worried about their own thoughts or behaviours, as well as those concerned about others.
As discussions surrounding these important issues continue to evolve, Guenther’s experience highlights the critical need for sensitivity and understanding when addressing subjects of trauma and harm. His willingness to acknowledge his missteps could serve as a valuable lesson for content creators navigating the complexities of mental health discussions in online spaces.