While mental health issues have always been a challenge for many, the increased understanding and diagnosing of various conditions has illustrated the need for proactive prevention, intervention and treatment. Like many other areas of health care, mental health treatment has attracted significant attention from the tech industry, with new tools and technologies being developed and tested to better assist providers and patients.
These technologies vary widely and intend to alleviate the impact of mental health issues. However, the full extent of technology’s impact, and what aspects of psychology it replaces or supports, remains to be seen.
Whether you are interested in the psychology field or in the development of mental health technology, understanding the current landscape in both fields can help you grasp and assess the role of technology in psychology. Here's a breakdown of the current state of technology in psychology:
The State of Psychology and Mental Health Services
As more people learn to accept the widespread mental health issues that affect every part of society, we can expect the demand for mental health services and support to grow. This is already happening — mental health jobs are projected to grow at a rate three times the national average. Clinical psychologists rank among the fastest-growing professions in the field, behind only therapists and counselors. This reflects the massive increase in demand and a major investment in the ‘human’ side of mental health treatment.
This demand is also reflected in a growing investment in mental health technology. This can be seen in the steady levels of funding for mental health technology startups. Although technically down from the extreme high point of 2020, the steadiness of this investment at a time when startup and tech funding in other industries is downsizing speaks to the durability of this industry and its potential for growth. As the stigma around mental health declines, more people will be willing to adopt these technologies and reap their benefits.
Examples of Psychology Tech
As with most tech industry efforts, the explosion of technology platforms was built on an assumption that competition and performance assessment will sort out which tools are most effective. As such, psychologists, other mental health experts, and patients will have a say in what tools they find useful and effective and what features or platforms can be discarded. Here are three examples of technologies being explored:
1. Exposure Therapy with Virtual Reality (or VRET)
Exposure therapy is a technique that allows a patient to experience a situation or sensation related to trauma, fear, or other negative experiences in a controlled, risk-free environment. Virtual reality can make these simulations even more convincing and effective, allowing patients to face fears, such as a fear of dogs or of driving in a car, without putting themselves directly in contact with that source of fear. This is especially useful for people who have uncommon fears, such as a fear of flying in an airplane.
2. Compliant Remote Counseling
The COVID-19 pandemic created a huge demand for video call services like Zoom, and many of people became familiar with these tools to contact coworkers, friends, and family members. Video calls and meetings became normalized technological uses in the medical field, with doctors, psychologists, and other specialists offering remote care. This created the need for chat and video calling tools to meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance and other state and federal guidelines, like telehealth services offered today.
3. Wearable Technology
Wearable tech is a growing trend, with people using rings, bracelets, smartphone tracking, and other tools to develop a digital snapshot of their daily routines and health. By tracking everything from heart rate to sleep patterns, psychologists and other mental health professionals can collaborate with patients to track the impact of specific events in their lives and assess the effectiveness of new mental health techniques.
Explore the Growing Career Field of Psychology and Mental Health at Columbia Southern University
Whether your ideal role is focused on face-to-face care or new technologies in psychology, our online education options at Columbia Southern University will give you a foundation for success. Students can enroll in CSU’s online degree programs at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, including concentrations in subjects like:
- Criminal justice
- Criminology
- Diversity and inclusion
- Forensic psychology
- Forensics
- Industrial/organizational psychology
- Mental health and wellness
To learn more about all our online degree programs, visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
