The Future of Therapy

The therapy field as we know it has been around for more than a century. It helps millions annually. But there's a relatively new wrinkle: some question whether an overly-examined life, leads to more angst for some individuals, as well as an over-reliance on treatment and overdiagnosis of some conditions. A recent study published concerns about of Gen Z’s tendency to glamorize mental health concerns.

This troubling trend is complicated as it intersects with very real mental health issues facing teens. Ultimately, it has become en vogue not only to be in therapy but also to advertise one’s need for therapy. “Sadfishing” is the term coined to capture the growing practice of advertising just how bad one has it. This phenomenon leads many to wonder about the possibility that the mainstream attention therapy has received in recent years may have unintended.consequences.

For the most part, the spotlight on mental health services is a net positive. Reducing the stigma around getting care has been hugely helpful to many. But it is worth exploring whether increased attention to this domain has changed the therapeutic landscape in major ways—including an influx of venture capitalist (VC)-backed treatment. Might the need for profit result in a drive to recruit yet more individuals into therapy, even those who might not ultimately benefit, but who are vulnerable due to cultural trends such as those outlined above?

There are additional concerns around patient care and how both technology and VC-backed companies are possibly changing the way we view client progress. This issue comes up in the context of reviewing therapy sessions. Clients should provide therapists with feedback about the effectiveness of treatment, but many platforms are shifting to more anonymous feedback or ratings and offering clients the opportunity to change clinicians if they are dissatisfied. Part of someone’s treatment journey might be tolerating a difficult session and being able to present this to a therapist in subsequent appointments. If this is no longer the expectation, someone’s true healing journey might be disrupted. Additionally, this rating system suggests we are to feel measurably better after our sessions, expecting to be “fixed” quickly rather than to be challenged, sit in our discomfort, and experience a full range of emotions.

The popularity of therapy and the major advertising dollars invested in VC-backed therapeutic companies has resulted in therapists wanting and needing to stand out in an effort to attract clients. Many have turned to social media to promote themselves or share opinions about major issues using blanket statements and broad, sweeping generalizations. The future of the field is most likely to be dominated by therapists promoting themselves on TikTok. While many viewers find the experience of hearing a clinician describing something they struggle with to be incredibly validating, others may not be able to ascertain what advice they should take in and what they should leave. Overall, this trend necessitates more education around diagnoses and treatments.

Source: Vanessa Garcia / Pexels

Technology has been a part of the therapeutic landscape for decades now. Issues related to note-taking and electronic medical recordkeeping are not new. However, the issue of AI is worth noting. AI aiding a clinician in note-taking tasks seems benign on the surface, but many take pause due to possible confidentiality issues.

As clinicians, it is critical to provide education around what to expect from therapy, including the benefits of sharing concerns in the treatment rather than ghosting and finding a new therapist. There are exciting prospects for the future of therapy—and as a field we need to continue to share concerns to make improvements that are in our clients’ best interests.