Psonríe: the app for psychological assistance with no waiting time

We talked to the developer team of Psonríe, a digital platform for seeking psychological help.

Times are changing and, with them, our perception of what psychological well-being means.

Perhaps that's why today there are resources like Psonríe, a digital platform accessed through an app that allows you to get psychological assistance online and on the spot, without the need to make an appointment. It is an idea that is as interesting and useful as it is simple, and that owes its existence not only to the latest technological developments, but also to recent cultural changes about what it means for most people to go to the psychologist.

Interview with the Psonríe team: the revolution in no-waiting psychological assistance

On this occasion we spoke with the team of professionals behind Psonríeto explain their vision of this type of services and the way in which society has changed to the point of making possible the existence of this type of applications.

What is the main idea behind the development of the Psonríe digital platform?

Psonríe was born with a clear objective, to normalize psychological therapy by making it accessible to anyone, whether for economic or time reasons.

We want to raise awareness of the benefits of psychology, strip it of the prejudices that surround it (it's for crazy people, it's pseudoscience...) and make it accessible to everyone.

In recent decades, there have been many cultural changes, what effect has this had on the way people see psychologists?

The collective imaginary places the psychologist as the professional who treats "the insane". This lack of knowledge about the real task of the psychologist makes that, when we need this professional, we do not go to benefit from his knowledge to improve and facilitate our life.

We do not doubt that, if we have the flu, we will go to a doctor and we are not ashamed to admit it, it is normal. With the psychologist it should be like that. We should not be ashamed to go to the professional who will help us rationalize and objectify a complicated situation in our lives and use the best resources at our disposal to overcome it.

But fortunately, this is changing, and more and more influential people are talking about their experience in therapy and the importance of psychology in their professional and personal lives both on television and on social networks.

The diffusion and normalization of psychology makes it easier for us to turn to it without fear or prejudice.

Is psychotherapy being used for more and more varied reasons?

It is increasingly clear that this area of knowledge is present in all areas of human life: personal and couple relationships, work, sport, health, self-knowledge, life crises, raising children... issues that have nothing to do with a pathology, that affect us all at some point in our lives and that, until now, we were forced to carry in silence and solitude.

A psychologist helps us to face these vital milestones in such a way that we will reduce their negative impact, the duration of the process, and we will be able to take advantage of the situation to acquire tools that will be useful in the future.

How do technological advances help to facilitate access to this type of professional assistance services?

Apps are the newest method to contact a psychologist without having to go to a consultation in person. Depending on the app, you can do it anonymously if you wish, through a chat, voice call or even video call.

Being able to do it from home, without having to travel, reduces the excuse of "laziness" and allows us to have a longer-term contact with our psychologist without problems of distance or time getting in our way.

What are the main advantages that this system offers psychologists?

The psychologist, by reducing the cost of renting the consultation space can lower the price of their sessions making it more affordable for those who do not have sufficient resources, can continue with a user even if he/she moves or travels and can attend users from anywhere in the world expanding their professional experience and reaching anyone without limit.

What is the future of technology applied to psychology?

Well-used technology will always help us to improve the services we have at present.

In the case of psychology, robots are already appearing that read our emotions and Artificial Intelligences that give us general advice according to our consultation thanks to the data provided by Big Data. But in a discipline where the human aspect is indispensable, a robot or an A.I. must be completely at the service of the professional to improve his efficiency, but in no way can they replace him.