Register | Login Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Big Data has transformed everything from sports to politics to education. It could transform mental-health treatment, too—if only psychologists would stop ignoring it.
Grace was a heroin addict who had been clean for about six months; I was a 34-year-old therapist in training. When we started psychotherapy, in 2006, Grace had a lot going against her. She was an unemployed single mother who had been in a string of relationships with violent men and was addicted to drugs. Yet despite these challenges, she was struggling bravely to put her life back together and retain custody of her young son. (I’ve changed my patients’ names and some details about them to protect their privacy.)
Our therapy focused on supporting Grace’s attendance at Narcotics Anonymous meetings and reducing the anxiety she said had driven her to drugs. The first few months seemed to go well. Every week, she told me about her successes: She attended the NA meetings, got a job, and found a boyfriend who respected her.
Register free of charge to go beyond the public domain information. Registration is open to all Psychiatrists, Psychiatry registrars & CMOs. Gain access to the latest psychotherapy news, views, resources and archives. All psychotherapy organizations relevant to Psychiatric psychotherapy are invited to post your educational & training notices on the Psychotherapies website free of charge. Please attach your notices and send them to: editor@psychotherapies.org.au