“May you live in interesting times” goes the expression, although I won’t debate, as historians have, whether this is a blessing or a curse. Because whichever it is we most definitely do live, and in the case of psychotherapists, practice in the most interesting and challenging of times.
As Psychotherapy.net’s Editor, I have had the privilege of working with you to bring those challenges to the forefront of our collective attention by soliciting, and at times writing content reflecting the ever-changing, always complex, and highly demanding landscapes in which psychotherapists of all levels and orientations work.
I aspire to content that holds up a mirror to the internal and external pressures that shape the practice of psychotherapy and counseling, one that reflects not only the clinical, but the personal, interpersonal and moral dilemmas that impact the way we think about ourselves as not only helpers, but as citizens, moral actors, and at times advocates within our private and collective spaces.
The Present
Some of our recent content has poignantly captured the challenges I allude to and invite you to reflect on just a small sampling of those.
The Future
Recently, the American Psychological Association published its “14 Emerging Trends”, highlighting some of the challenges that lay ahead, and which hopefully will inspire not only psychologists among us, but counselors, clinical educators and trainees. Some of these include:
The Call
If you haven’t already guessed where this essay was leading, I’ll just come out and say it. You, we, all of us who are working with clients that are invariably impacted by any of the above issues and trends are in the best position to share those impacts on you and your clients. So please consider putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and submit a blog or article reflecting how these issues and trends are playing out in your own practices, whether small or large, whether in individual or group or family context. You already offer so much to your clients! Perhaps you’ll be surprised just how much you have to offer fellow clinicians.
Thanks so much for all that each of you does,
Lawrence Rubin, Editor (lawrence@psychotherapy.net)
References
APA’s 14 Emerging Trends
File under: Musings and Reflections
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As Psychotherapy.net’s Editor, I have had the privilege of working with you to bring those challenges to the forefront of our collective attention by soliciting, and at times writing content reflecting the ever-changing, always complex, and highly demanding landscapes in which psychotherapists of all levels and orientations work.
I aspire to content that holds up a mirror to the internal and external pressures that shape the practice of psychotherapy and counseling, one that reflects not only the clinical, but the personal, interpersonal and moral dilemmas that impact the way we think about ourselves as not only helpers, but as citizens, moral actors, and at times advocates within our private and collective spaces.
The Present
Some of our recent content has poignantly captured the challenges I allude to and invite you to reflect on just a small sampling of those.
- Amanda Gregory’s, Trauma Survivors React to Overturning Roe shines an inescapable light on the very real, painful impacts of the recent Supreme Court decision.
- Maggie Mulqueen’s, Acknowledging the Impact of Cancel Culture on Therapy brings the highly politicized, popular culture practice of muffling adversaries right into therapy.
- Cindy Silitsky’s, InstaTherapy on Social Media: Caveat Emptor alerts us to the ways in which the various online platforms can help, but also hinder the progress of therapy.
- Tom Medlar’s, Surviving Pandemic Pandemonium in Nursing Facilities reminds us that COVID’s grasp has not lessened in our society, especially among the more vulnerable.
- Michael Sobocinski’s, Existentialism and the Environmental Crisis: The Urgency of Meaning frames global warming as not only a societal, but as a very personal threat.
The Future
Recently, the American Psychological Association published its “14 Emerging Trends”, highlighting some of the challenges that lay ahead, and which hopefully will inspire not only psychologists among us, but counselors, clinical educators and trainees. Some of these include:
- Reworking Work is a call to clinicians to explore COVID-initiated changes to the landscape of the workplace and how our clients, particularly women, are adapting
- Prominent Issues in Healthcare asks us to consider the serious and often long term impacts of the pandemic on healthcare providers (including mental health professionals) such as burnout and depression
- Mental Health Meet Venture Capital highlights the promises and pitfalls of large, and often non-clinical entities purchasing clinical practices, both small and large
- Childrens’ Mental Health in Crisis urges clinicians to turn an even keener eye towards the many ways that children and families continue to struggle in the post-pandemic era
- Kicking Stigma to the Curb reminds us through celebrity support, that the struggle is real, especially for those who live in the shadows and margins of our society
- Telehealth Proves its Worth validates the increasing role and importance of teletherapy, as well as remaining challenges to re-think traditional models of therapy service delivery
The Call
If you haven’t already guessed where this essay was leading, I’ll just come out and say it. You, we, all of us who are working with clients that are invariably impacted by any of the above issues and trends are in the best position to share those impacts on you and your clients. So please consider putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and submit a blog or article reflecting how these issues and trends are playing out in your own practices, whether small or large, whether in individual or group or family context. You already offer so much to your clients! Perhaps you’ll be surprised just how much you have to offer fellow clinicians.
Thanks so much for all that each of you does,
Lawrence Rubin, Editor (lawrence@psychotherapy.net)
References
APA’s 14 Emerging Trends
File under: Musings and Reflections