15) Keeping IT human

 A Series of "short introductions" to Mental Health.

 By Peter Thompson Dip.Couns. MNCPS (Acc.)

 15) Keeping IT human 

On June 1st I joined around three hundred colleagues in attending the Annual National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society Conference.

A very well managed and structured event via Zoom Meetings and hosted by ONLINEVENTS. A knowledgeable collection of speakers had been selected and the chemistry between them was warming to see.

It ran from 9.30am to 3.30pm and in all honesty could have run on for the whole weekend, especially given the theme of the event. THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS: Honouring the Human Connection.

This firmly and squarely confronted what had become the lumbering elephant in the room for too long and set its sights on the increasing amount of technology that continues to make its way into the world of mental health care.

I qualified to practice back in 2011 and was aware of a few articles and mutters of how AI would one day stir the relatively calm waters of Counselling and Psychotherapy. That robots would offer people the same skills as I had just spent a fortune and three and a half years training to learn.

Fast forward to today and this hasn't only come to fruition but anyone wanting to seek online help can make a choice between Human Being or Algorithm.

The conference presented a very balanced case for and against AI in our once hallowed corner of practice. But one thing it did get across is that AI is here, and we need to get our heads around it or fade away.

The very first quote I saw on commencing training back in 2009 (and we see a lot of quotes in this game) was ...

"Tell me and I forget.

Teach me and I remember.

Involve me and I learn"

So how have we slept though such a seismic invasion without raising more that an eyelid occasionally.

 

Well, whatever the reason it is indeed here to stay and we need to understand it before it outpaces us and is in the control of vast corporate concerns with little or NO interest in your mental health but more concern in balance sheets.

Organisations that see clients as units or commodities rather than fellow human beings who are in a vulnerable and painful place.

YES! there is definitely a place for technology in talking therapies, but we have to also be aware of how far it can be taken as well as how quickly things can become the norm.

An excellent example of this was given by the wonderful Cath Knibbs who's TED talks and books I strongly recommend to avail yourself of.

As Cath described when a newborn child is held in the arms of a loving parent that special bond is created mainly through being 30-40 cm away from the eyes of each other.

30-40cm away from the organs that take in all things and form connections based on wants and needs. The EYES.

Through those so important first months a solid connection is formed from both parties involved that hopefully lasts a lifetime.

Now what else do we tend to hold 30-40 cm away from our eyes that distracts and delivers? That requires attention and responses. That gives us positive strokes we yearn for.

This is how our various devices can be able to control our use of them. But it's not them it’s us the user that has replaced the baby with our phone or tablet or whatever we use. 

It is this circumstance that needs to be at the forefront of our awareness. The choice is ours not the AI or Technology.

We can relinquish responsibility so easily without consideration.

 However, policed correctly Technology will be a huge partner in the field.

In 2011 I entered the Professional ranks of Mental Health believing that I would always be a champion of Face to Face Talking Therapy whatever its model. But over the years I became increasingly aware of a new movement with new ideas, but I tried not to give it much thought.

Then in 2019 Covid arrived changing work practices all over the world and ushering in the suddenly urgently required advanced technologies in all areas of business and communication.

I reluctantly moved into using Zoom and WhatsApp for sessions. RELUCTANTLY? Yes because just like most people I don't like change and like even less using something I don't fully understand.

Where's the body language? Where's the nuances? Where's the connection?

Then after one or two clients I had this down to pat. Almost everything was still there I just needed to work a little harder. 

Now I have expanded my practice infinitesimally thanks to engaging with online platforms and EAP providers who refer potential clients to me. I work with clients all over the world via Video call. Telephone. Text chat and I'm pleased to say still the good old Face to Face.

Whilst this is a successful use of technology for many of us there is an area of AI that I've not yet mentioned, and this one does bother me...CHATBOTS. No Human interaction just sending your troubles through the digital ether to some algorithms to obtain quick answers to important life choices.  A product of modern society where everything is needed in the moment. Where unless a new song has a hook in its first fifteen seconds its unlikely to be a hit.

Back to the Conference and its content. I have to say it was a most thought provoking and reflective day. A gathering of likeminded people who want to see the Human role in mental health protected. Who all appreciate that compassion and congruence and Unconditional Positive Regard has to come from the heart and soul of a living being to enhance the life of another.

Technology and AI especially must walk with us hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder if we are to present a fully integrated and successful approach towards mental health support.

Cheers

Pete Thompson

Dip.Couns. MNCPS(Acc)