Interview by the American Psychological Association

Amid the ongoing mental health crisis, psychologists are bringing their expertise to businesses, schools, restaurants, and other everyday locations.

"The field of psychology is more relevant than ever amid the ongoing mental health crisis—but not all who would benefit from psychology can easily access it. A shortage of psychologists, systemic inequities that make it difficult to see a clinician, and ongoing stigmas about mental health care are common barriers that continue to stand in the way of people’s well-being.

Rather than waiting for people to come to them, many psychologists are finding new ways to share their expertise by creating more in-roads to mental health awareness, from creating science-informed content that addresses common mental health concerns to training lay professionals to disseminate psychology-based best practices in various settings.

Recognizing the impact of mental health on both employee and company well-being, the U.K.-based firm The Circle Line offers psychoeducation and remote therapy services from licensed therapists to organizations that want to better support their colleagues and improve team dynamics. The Circle Line uses psychological research based on transactional analysis to help colleagues understand how mindset affects them so they can improve their work and home lives.

The founder, psychotherapist Philippa Richardson, sees The Circle Line’s work as a way to introduce organizations and their workers to psychological concepts and embed mental health services they might not know they need into their daily life. People who might not otherwise seek out psychotherapy can get it at work, and it is framed as a way to balance work stressors or improve teamwork, which helps reduce stigma or hesitancy toward therapy.

“Along with helping organizations meet their employees’ needs, we’re helping to destigmatize mental health by making it a part of normal life,” said Richardson."

Read the full article here.