Artificial Intimacy to A New Level

I just learned of a company that will clean your home for free. It's called Shift- and here's the catch: Humans will wear camera recording devices to track motions that will train robots to complete the tasks. Remember the Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House? It's coming to real life. Artificial intelligence is going a step deeper... into the sexual intimacy space.

Joi AI paid users $2000/month to use their product while engaging in sexual pleasure for a device that will sense exactly how people want. Other companies are creating devices such as sex toys and robots.

The New York Times article She Fell in Love with Chat GPT went viral, and sparks new conversations surrounding the intimate landscape. If we're outsourcing all of our needs from work, to household chores, to intimacy to robots, what does it mean for human wellbeing? If we take out our meaning and purpose for one another, are we creating a virtual pandemic?

When the pendulum swings in one direction, we have to look for opportunities in the other. Here's what I'm thinking it means for therapists:

IRL Connection. Group therapy isn't new and has been around for a while, but I think if we shake up the stiff clinical version and create community spaces focused around curiosity and conversations rather than treatment, we can create opportunities for clients and our communities to engage in a non-virtual way.
In-Person Work. In person therapy will become more in demand because the physical space represents healing from screen fatigue. More people will crave human interaction more than ever before.
Apps. We all know AI cannot replace our jobs, but we need to know how to work with it. Having polarizing views on AI being good or bad, won't help us serve our clients or our practices. We need to understand how some tools can be helpful. Apps like Rootd have helped people recover from panic attacks in real time- something we can't do when we're not in session. We'll always need more information, and it's ever changing. Let's keep having conversations surrounding AI, and not shy away from them.
Specialties clients will be searching:
- AI delusion disorder
- Phone addiction
- Digital burnout
- Somatic work/state shifting

Therapist Hangout

Thank you to all who came out to the May Therapist Hangout! The next Therapist Hangout is happening Friday, July 17th from 2-4 at BaySix's Space for Good located at 414 Dupont Circle, Raleigh 27603. As always, bring a therapist friend, and I'll bring name tags :-).

Parking note: Parking is located on either end of Dupont Circle in the gravel lots, or the retail space under the Platform building. Please reach out with any questions!

Therapist Events and Resources

Yoga with Ashley at Homebody Yoga. Your nervous system is running the show. It's time to train it. In this 75-minute specialized session, everyday over-achievers learn to work with their nervous system — instead of pushing through anxiety and performance pressure. Expect movement, breath, and practical mental fitness tools that go way beyond the mat. Schedule: 7-8:15 PM, movement and mental fitness session 8:15-8:30 PM, optional Q&A with Ashley so you can integrate and understand everything you just felt. This workshop is offered on a sliding scale. The suggested price is $35. Sign Up Here

Whole Mentality Second Anniversary. is celebrating their 2 year anniversary with their annual open house on Friday, June 26th, 1-3pm. Come by, meet the whole team, see their newly expanded space, have some treats, maybe even win a prize! You can register here, and feel free to bring a friend!

Connect and Create with Daisy Counseling. You are invited to Create and Connect next month, hosted by Daisy Counseling, PLLC! Leave the clinical hat at the door—come take some time to unwind, get a little creative- craft supplies provided! RSVP: https://forms.gle/pjQKz3VbkdvTYXre6

Extra Resources to Know:

Social Work to Wealth: I met Taylor Gilbert via LinkedIn and had the pleasure of having her on the podcast. Social Work to Wealth is an education platform that offers CEU's and courses for social workers and therapists to make financial wellness matter. https://socialworktowealth.com/
Therapist Collective. We've had interesting conversations surrounding ACCESS care models, Google analytics and SEO, and strategies for income beyond one-to-one work. If you're interested in joining, apply here. https://therapistcollective.carrd.co/
Therapists in Tech. The cross section of therapists and tech is lively- especially at this moment in time. Be in the know and sign up for the Therapists in Tech slack group. https://www.therapistsintech.com/

Have something you want to share? Speaking at a networking event? Have a new group or course offering? Hire someone new? Share it! Remember, sharing is caring. To get the word out on, please email me with the subject line Therapist Newsletter. I'll add you in the next newsletter.