We interviewed Nacho Coller, a renowned psychologist with over 20 years of professional experience who combines clinical practice with teaching in master’s programs such as ISEP’s Master’s in Clinical and Health Psychology, to discuss the influence that new technologies (ICT) have had on psychology.
How do you think psychology has been affected by new technologies in recent years?
Psychology has been affected by new technologies, in the same way that life has been affected by new technologies. We are in the 21st century where devices, applications, and social networks have settled in our homes’ dining rooms.
In this case, psychology is an extension of life itself and, therefore, it has had to adapt to the new demands of both the market and people themselves.
The influence that new technologies have had on psychology has been positive, as it has opened the doors for the therapeutic space to be more fun and innovative, while also allowing psychology to reach anyone anywhere in the world.
That is, online therapy has allowed anyone who is X kilometers away to be in contact with a psychologist and receive advice from them, regardless of the location, as they can do it either from work or from home.
Personally, I believe that new technologies have helped us democratize psychology and make it accessible to everyone.
What improvements have new technologies brought to psychological treatments?
New technologies have contributed to psychology itself and to professional consultation by making the entire process fresher and more enjoyable.
For example, before, in the middle of a session, you wouldn’t even think of instantly playing a YouTube video or a movie clip. It was difficult to do with the available means. However, today, the consultation has become much more lively; we use videos, audios, applications…
In the case of Skype, for example, it is very useful to us, as it greatly facilitates establishing a therapeutic line with anyone sitting anywhere in the world.
What are the most used tools?
For online psychology, the most used tools are applications that allow you to be in remote contact with patients, such as Skype, WhatsApp, or even a YouTube channel.
Then there are applications that you can recommend to patients for them to use, for example, to improve sleep or to regularly incorporate exercise and sports.
For what types of disorders are they usually used?
Starting from the premise that you don’t have to be unwell to go to a psychologist, but rather just want to be better, the range of people who will come to the consultation is very broad, from those with a disorder to those who are free of them. Thus, it is about, on the one hand, adapting psychology to the 21st Century, and on the other hand, adapting to the patient’s needs.
If a patient uses WhatsApp, Facebook, or YouTube, why should psychology or the psychologist’s consultation remain anchored or refrain from using them too?
For my part, I believe it is a good strategy and almost an obligation for psychologists to know these tools and know how to use and apply them both in consultation and in their daily lives.