“I Fell in Love with My Psychiatrist”: Kendra Hilty’s Viral Confession Divides TikTok

Kendra Hilty, a 36-year-old ADHD coach from Arizona, has broken her silence on the intense backlash following her viral TikTok series where she claims she fell in love with her psychiatrist, alleging he manipulated her and failed to maintain professional boundaries. In an exclusive interview, Hilty revealed receiving "violent" threats and "nonstop bullying" online, including messages telling her to "kill myself" and that "the world would be better off without me," prompting her to disable comments on her videos and make her Instagram private.

The Viral TikTok Series

The series, which began on August 1 with a video confessing, “I fell in love with my psychiatrist and he knew that and he kept me for years as a patient and I was brave enough to leave him,” has expanded to over 25 parts, amassing tens of millions of views and growing her following to more than 100,000 in just weeks.

She also discussed confiding in another therapist who allegedly crossed boundaries by texting her for advice, and using an AI bot named Henry, which introduced her to the concept of countertransference—when a clinician develops romantic feelings for a client. Transference, where patients project romantic or emotional feelings onto their therapist, and countertransference are common in therapy but require strict professional management to prevent ethical violations.

Facing Online Backlash

The backlash has extended beyond online harassment, with users attempting to dox Hilty and identify the professionals involved (she accidentally revealed her psychiatrist's first name in a deleted video but declined to confirm if he's been found).

This has impacted her personal life, as she noted people "pulling away because they feel afraid" of the threats spilling over." People are getting violent and trying to dox me," Hilty said. The controversy escalated as some viewers questioned the authenticity of her story, speculating it might be "engagement bait" designed to attract attention, though Hilty maintains her account is genuine and reflects her lived experience.

Support Amid Criticism

Despite the negativity, Hilty emphasized the positive support keeping her motivated. “To everyone from the outside looking in, it just seems like I am talking into an echo chamber,” she explained.

She also said “There are people that I haven't heard from in years who are reaching out and asking to support me. It’s made it worth it to be the laughing stock of the internet.” Supporters, including mental health advocates, praised her for spotlighting therapeutic boundaries and urged her to report the psychiatrist for possible misconduct.

Monetizing Fame and Future Plans

Capitalizing on her fame, Hilty has joined TikTok's Creator Fund to monetize engagement and launched a $2.99 monthly subscription for live chats. With the series nearing its end—she estimates two or three parts left after a short break—she plans to shift focus to ADHD advice, aligning with her pre-viral coaching business. She's also open to adapting the story into a TV show or movie, similar to the viral "Who TF Did I Marry?" series. “If a producer came to me and said, ‘I want to invite you to help us make a movie or a television series about this,’ I’d say yes, as long as it was something that valued and recognized me,” Hilty stated. “Because clearly I’ve struck a nerve.”

The Journey to Virality

Hilty's journey into viral content began months after leaving her psychiatrist, when she searched TikTok for similar stories and found none. “I looked it up and nobody was talking about it,” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘Oh, I can’t be the only one who’s fallen in love with her psychiatrist.’ Let me just put this on here. And it took on a life of its own.” Previously, she used social media mainly to promote her ADHD coaching services on Instagram. Her decision to share was driven by a desire to connect with others who might have faced similar experiences, highlighting a gap in public discourse about patient-therapist dynamics.

Sparking Broader Conversations on Mental Health and AI

Apart from her series, Hilty’s has ignited discussions on therapy boundaries and AI’s role in mental health. Her use of ChatGPT, nicknamed "Henry," drew criticism, with concerns that AI lacks the qualifications of a licensed therapist and could worsen mental health issues. Comments like “This might be the biggest issue we will face with AI” reflect fears about unregulated AI tools in vulnerable populations. Hilty focuses on her supportive audience: “On my TikTok, I am making content for the people who are resonating with me, not for the people who are hating.”

(Rh/Eth/MKB/MSM/SE)