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Dec 17, 2025

Peer to Peer Training: Understanding Parasocial Relationships: Clinical Implications in the Digital Age

Peer to Peer Training: Understanding Parasocial

Relationships  Clinical Implications in the Digital Age

With: 

Danyelle Orr McNeil, PSP

Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Time: 10 am-12 pm

Location: Zoom Webinar

 

Course Description:

This 2-hour Peer-to-Peer training provides social work professionals with a comprehensive understanding of parasocial relationships—one-sided emotional connections individuals form with media figures, celebrities, influencers, politicians, and increasingly, AI entities. Participants will explore the historical foundations of parasocial relationship theory, examine its manifestations across pop culture, social media, and political spheres, and analyze its impact on individual mental health and broader societal structures.

Course Objectives:

Define and differentiate parasocial relationships from other forms of social connection, including their theoretical foundations and evolution from traditional media to digital platforms.

  1. Analyze the impact of parasocial relationships on member mental health, including their role in loneliness, depression, anxiety, body image issues, and social isolation.
  2. Recognize unique vulnerabilities in specific populations, including children, adolescents, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions or attachment disorders.
  3. Evaluate the societal implications of parasocial relationships on member behavior, political polarization, community cohesion, and democratic processes.
  4. Examine the bidirectional impact of parasocial relationships, understanding the mental health burden, safety risks, and boundary violations experienced by public figures and content creators.
  5. Critically assess the emerging phenomenon of AI-mediated parasocial relationships and their unique clinical and ethical implications for practice.
  6. Develop and implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions for clients struggling with unhealthy parasocial attachments, including cognitive-behavioral, attachment-based, and grief counseling approaches.
  7. Integrate parasocial relationship awareness into existing therapeutic frameworks while respecting client autonomy, cultural contexts, and the potential benefits these relationships may provide.

Timed Agenda:

Welcome/Introduction: 10:00 am-10:05 am

Presentation: 10:05 am - 11:40 am

Q & A/ Open Discussion- 11:40 am-12:00 pm    

 

Continuing Education Credits:

 

-SOCIAL WORK(MI-CEC): These event hours meet the MDCH training requirement for MI-CEC staff = 2 Hours.

-CERTIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL(CMHP): These event hours meet the MDCH training requirement for CMHP        staff = 2 Hours.

-MICHIGAN CERTIFICATION BOARD FOR ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS (MCBAP): These event hours meet the MDCH          training requirement for MCBAP staff = 2 Hours.

-QUALIFIED INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES PROFESSIONAL (QIDP): These event hours meet the MDCH training requirement for QIDP staff = 2 Hours.

-Qualified Behavioral Health Professional (QBHP): These event hours meet the MDCH training requirement for QBHP staff = 2 Hours.

 

 

 


By joining us at this event, attendees consent to Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network's Detroit Wayne Connect photographing, videotaping and using your image and likeness.