The Techno-Social Dilemma

In a world that sells us happiness, entertainment, and productivity, technology has become something we rely on to the extent that some of our human faculties are disappearing, and an epidemic of mental health problems continues to grow. On this workshop we will examine the techno-social dilemma of our time, characterised by unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and despair in technologically advanced nations (Heylighen & Beigi, 2023), in order to raise awareness of ethical and humanistic concerns associated with the prevalence of big tech. Specifically, we will explore loss of autonomy, and passivity in the digital world and ask why this is not talked about in clinical settings. We will address unseen complications for supervisory and therapeutic relationships, and think together about how the exam process might necessarily change. This workshop will be of use to trainees and supervisors in the field of psychotherapy and the wider Transactional Analysis community with regard to ethical thinking around the use of technology.