The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world, that’s for sure. Whether it was economic disruption or the working-from-home revolution, things haven’t been the same since. The wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and an ensuing loneliness epidemic have left therapists stretched thin. The mental health industry is significantly understaffed, making support even less accessible. Those working in the space are suffering from burnout and are leaving the profession due to this.
This article will provide an overview of the issue of the therapist/mental health worker burnout epidemic before exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies can help curb stress and burnout. From being able to complete a mental health counseling degree online to the advent of artificial intelligence, it should come as no surprise that digital technology is transforming the nature of therapy and other mental health support systems. So, continue reading to learn more.
What is Burnout and Why Are Therapists Burning Out?
This term is usually used when someone’s occupation, such as their work or study, becomes too intense, tiring, and exhausting, and causes that person to no longer be able to perform the function that the commitment of their occupation requires. When you’re burnt out, you have no energy for anything, even the activities that you used to find enjoyable. Working or studying for overly long hours each day can trigger an episode of burnout, as can being too stressed at work or focusing too much time and energy on one project.
The COVID-19 global pandemic saw a massive increase in anxiety, depression, and the other negative impacts that worldwide lockdowns, massive layoffs, business closures, and recession caused. Many people lost their jobs or found themselves juggling work from home, kids, and their partners all at once. Therapists definitely had their hands full as demand for mental health services surged. Many services found themselves inundated with clients, and therapists struggled with increased caseloads all while managing the negative impacts of the pandemic themselves. Even with life back to normal, some therapists never properly recovered from this massive spike in workload and some have burnt out, reducing their hours or leaving the profession altogether.
This brings us to the question of how artificial intelligence and digital technology can aid the profession, and reduce the amount of burnout and turnover in the sector. The next part of this article will explain precisely how this tech can help therapists.
Note-Taking and Paperwork
A therapist’s daily work involves more than just hosting sessions and talking to clients. Mental health care providers also manage organization, and scheduling, including maintaining their patients’ electronic health records (EHR) and taking detailed notes.
Like most applications of AI for managing workload and productivity, many AI tools for therapists can help to offload administrative work, documentation, and note-taking for stretched providers. Several tools can also use AI to help analyze patient data and help therapists take notice of nuances in a client’s progress or mental state.
One such tool, called Upheal, runs in a therapist’s browser or mobile device and listens to therapy sessions in person, or virtually via video conferencing platforms like Zoom, or in the Upheal app. Mental health providers can select from templates for individual or couple sessions, and Upheal will record session notes in the appropriate format such as a transcription. Once the therapist reviews and finalizes the notes, editing as required, because AI transcription can still make errors, the notes can be transferred into the therapist’s existing EHR platform and lodged on the client’s record.
On top of basic transcription services, Upheal’s AI system can provide additional insights and data, and can even suggest treatment plans based on what it overhears. The company’s website assures it is compliant with the relevant multiple health data regulations, including GDPR and HIPPA.
Typing up session notes can take up a large portion of a therapist’s workload, so AI tools like Upheal that can assist with note-taking and documentation can help to reduce a therapist’s workload. They can still do what they’re trained and qualified to do, which is to provide mental health care, but with less time spent taking and refining notes, they can experience a lessened workload and hopefully be less vulnerable to burnout.
AI Chatbots and Therapy
One way that therapists are embracing AI is by the use of chatbots. You’re probably familiar with chatbots from shopping online or accessing customer service via a company’s website. The premise is the same, but in this case, the chatbots are focused on supporting someone with their mental health issues. These chatbots can be free and are an excellent first point of contact when someone seeks help for their mental health issues. In addition to making mental health support more affordable and accessible for everyone, chatbots can help those people who may shy away from a human therapist, such as people new to therapy or people experiencing social anxiety.
For those concerned about entrusting mental health care to an AI chatbot, you’ll be pleased to hear about the Wysa chatbot. This chatbot does not use generative AI but instead limits interactions to statements that were drafted or approved by human therapists. Wysa does not collect personal information or contact details, and it redacts information users share that could help identify them.
