We are living in a rapidly changing world where technology keeps advancing without rest. As a result, those who don’t take advantage of new tech get left behind. The field of mental health, like many others, is no longer a place for complacency.
The hustle culture is now part of it, and many spend vast amounts of time and energy marketing their practices on social media.
The process of hiring influencers and setting up an Instagram profile that shares daily mental health tips” is something that you might have come to observe, even if you aren’t directly involved in the field.
The number of people looking for therapy increases every day. According to the CDC, the number of Americans seeking counseling increased by 2.4% over the last year.
With more people seeking help, psychologists can use as much assistance as possible. That is where technology enters the picture.
Today, we are going to look at some of the emerging technologies that are poised to transform the field of mental health with particular reference to its application in the clinical setting.
Mental Health Billing Software
Mental health billing solutions can help psychologists and therapists with their billing process. They help streamline the non-therapeutic aspects that begin with client intake, payments, insurance claims, appointment scheduling, notes, and progress tracking.
Investing in software like this can be one of the best investments that mental health professionals can make.
Too often, we tend to believe that we can handle things by ourselves without realizing that this involves significant amounts of time.
This is precious time that can go to other aspects of your life and reduce the likelihood that you get burnt out from dealing with the logistical aspects of therapy.
Data Management, Analysis, and Interpretation
Compared to the efforts of early psychologists who had to manipulate data manually, the modern world has made things significantly easier.
We now have several programs and statistical software packages that allow psychologists to interpret vast amounts of data collected during research.
When previously people had to send such data to statisticians, now psychologists can, to an extent, manage a significant section of research on their own after learning how to operate software such as IBM’s SPPSS.
Using data analytics and monitoring helps mental health professionals gain new insights and the ability to plan out better treatment strategies.
The Rise of Telehealth and Tele Counselling
In the context of mental health, telehealth allows mental health professionals to provide therapy, counseling, and other mental health services to patients remotely rather than requiring patients to come into an office or clinic setting.
Telehealth has been growing in popularity in recent years due to its ability to increase access to care for patients in remote or underserved areas, as well as its ability to provide greater flexibility in scheduling appointments.
One of the biggest advantages of telehealth is that it allows patients to receive mental health care in the comfort of their own homes.
This can be particularly beneficial for those who have difficulty getting to a clinic or office or for those who are under the age of eighteen and live with their family. They may not want to know their family to know that they are seeking therapy.
Telehealth can also provide greater convenience for patients who have busy schedules or who live in areas with limited access to mental health services.
It has been particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic in reducing people’s exposure.
AI Chatbots for Initial Intake
Something interesting that’s happening is the rise of high-level conversational AI software. This is likely to create revolutionary changes in the way that therapy begins.
Rather than having each client start full-scale sessions with a therapist, an AI chatbot could help screen clients based on their presenting symptoms and severity and identify what their goals are for therapy.
They can assist mental health practitioners in the initial intake process by providing a convenient and accessible method for patients to share information about their symptoms, concerns, and treatment history.
They can also help to triage patients and direct them to the appropriate level of care.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that they should replace a human psychologist. Instead, it merely assists them in the initial screening process, which can save a lot of time.
One downside to using chatbots is that some believe the early screening process is important to make subtle assessments based on the way clients describe their symptoms and issues.
It’s up to therapists to decide the extent to which they want to integrate AI chatbots into their practice.
Conclusion
The rapid progress of technology is often scary to the lives of people they disrupt. You can either bemoan the steady march of powerful AI and its dangers, or you can learn to adapt and overcome.
Being informed and up to date on the latest developments is the most obvious way to adapt to new challenges, and this applies to every aspect of the counseling process.
Jean Smith is a fitness enthusiast and blogger who focuses on fitness and a healthy lifestyle. She is passionate about assisting people in living healthier lifestyles and is constantly on the lookout for new and creative methods to stay fit and healthy. Her articles are excellent resources for anyone interested in improving their health and fitness.