Therapy Without Therapists

Task-shifting, manualized treatment, community health workers, digital therapy—the fourth industrial revolution for mental healthcare is already here. Unsurprisingly, it’s bad for both therapists and patients.

Americans have been getting sadder and more anxious for decades, and the economic recession and social isolation from COVID-19 have accelerated these trends. Despite increased demand for mental health services, those who seek treatment can’t get it. Most people seeking care overwhelmingly prefer psychotherapy over medication, yet they are more likely to…