Why Therapists Should Care About Web3 (and how to get started)

By Marianne LeCoyte Grinney & Ann Dypiangco, LCSW

As therapists, in general, most of us do not consider ourselves to be early adopters of technology, or to be particularly tech-savvy. We tend to be individuals who prioritize in-person experiences and one-on-one relationships. These attributes are traditionally seen as positive, but what repercussions are caused by our lack of presence in the creation of new technologies?

We have seen the intense emotional consequences of social media, cyberbullying, and digital relationships, on meaning and identity. It is imperative that we consider our clients’ online engagement in order to understand them holistically. This is especially relevant to our work within Gen Z and Alpha.

Additionally, the proliferation of mental health tech companies engaging in unethical behavior, such as the instances reported about Betterhelp and Cerebral, raises red flags for all of us. It’s becoming apparent that clinical ethics, values, and our collective voice are imperative to the creation and implementation of quality mental health products and services.

But where and how does one even get started?

We believe the future of technology lies in the next iteration of the internet — called ‘web3.’

Web2 is what we know now, where major companies essentially control the internet. For example, when you log onto a platform owned by a major tech company, individuals create the content, but these companies profit based on advertising connected with the content, and by selling personal data.

Web3 offers a democratized alternative that, we believe, will speak to the heart of most therapists. For example, Audius is a web3 music streaming service. It is similar to Spotify or Apple Music, except instead of giving artists only 20% of the revenue generated by a song, they give 90%. Additionally, the blockchain, which is the technology underlying the web3 movement, supports running decentralized business models. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) are run with community members making decisions via voting, instead of a traditional hierarchy where a few at the top make decisions for all.

In addition to the benefits to therapists, clients join web3 for a multitude of reasons: in the hopes of creating generational wealth, to connect on a global platform, to engage with communities digitally- which may feel safer if someone is socially anxious or isolated, and to collect and/or create digital art and photography. The more that therapists are aware of the unique stressors that can accompany participation in web3, the better able they will be to care for these clients.

There’s a phrase in web3- DYOR. It means, do your own research. Not in the academic, don’t plagiarize my work, sense. Rather, it means to read up on it yourself so you can form your own opinion. This is what we recommend if you are interested in learning more about web3. But it brings up another question, which is ‘ok, do my own research, but where do I start? What do I read? Who do I connect with?’

Here are our suggestions for how to best go about educating yourself on the developing technologies central to the web3 movement.

1. Learn the Basics of Web3 Technology & Terminology. Web3 is full of jargon, you’ll have ‘bro, how’s your fomo’ and ‘my bags are mooning! LFG 🚀!’ shouted at you from Twitter. Technical terminology and slang can make the web3 space feel nebulous and challenge traditional styles of learning. Resources such as MyBFF and Take Up Space make the slang and technical concepts of blockchain, NFTs, DAO’s, and other web3 technology much easier to understand. Our training Intro to Web3 for Mental Health Professionals also offers this education catered specifically for therapists.
2. Heard of Discord? This is a social media platform where many web3 communities hang out and members interact with one another. Try joining a server to immerse yourself in the lived experience of an online community. Once there observe, ask questions, and offer your thoughts and GMs (that’s web3 slang for ‘Good Morning’). A few communities we are part of and find particularly welcoming are Fame Lady Society, Held Mind, and Nerd Collective.
3. Join Crypto Twitter. You can’t really understand web3 culture without being on Twitter, even though yes, Twitter is a web2 company. This is where much of the web3 action is… whether through tweets or joining Twitter spaces. Observing people here gives you a good sense of what it means to be in web3 as well as can be a useful source of news when following reputable accounts. If you want to start building your own following, Held Mind is always looking for licensed mental health professionals to join their team of Twitter Spaces hosts.
4. Give AI a try — ChatGPT and Notion AI are rapidly expanding their reach and decreasing the time it takes to write drafts of emails, texts, and blog posts, and there are important debates going on as to their future role in mental health. AI can also be used to create art using OpenArt. Imagine how this resource could be used in future art therapy sessions. Another recommendation is to read The Equality Machine by Orly Lobel. This book dives into discussing the potential benefits and risks of using AI in the fight for systemic equality.
5. Therapists’ DAO — Watch this webinar to learn how therapists, many of whom are the non-techy type, are coming together using web3 technology to co-create a virtual, community-owned clinic. You can also learn more about the community and its vision here.
6. Enter the Metaverse. This sounds quite involved when in reality this is due to common misconceptions. For example that the Metaverse is owned by Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, and you need a headset to participate. Meta does have a Metaverse platform called Horizon Worlds that is accessed via a headset. However, there are other Metaverse platforms, such as Roblox, Decentraland, and SandBox that can be accessed without the nausea that headsets can bring on. As a place to start, we recommend trying a meditation on the Alo Yoga Roblox activation.

Best web3 practice, is that security should be top of mind. Common safety tips include:

• Close your DM’s to avoid being contacted by scammers.
• Do not trust links from unknown sources, always check with sources including those known to you if they have sent you a link
• Be careful who you interact with and what information you give to others. The space is underregulated. Scammers take advantage of this often.

The concept of the metaverse and web3 is potentially alienating and overwhelming. It’s also full of excitement and hope. There is no doubt that the growth of this technology is rapid, exponential, and is bringing big changes to how we interact with one another on an individual level and in how business is conducted in every industry, including mental health. As more of our clients at an individual and organizational level will be engaging in the aforementioned platforms, taking a step into this new paradigm can enable therapeutic relationships to continue to be intentional while creating meaningful change and cultural shifts.

Web3 is here to stay. As therapists, it’s important that we understand the language and nuances of web3 in order to best serve our clients, and this can only be meaningfully achieved through therapists involving themselves in the space. By engaging in the space we, as therapists, have an opportunity to shape the future of web3: through contributions to education and best practices for online safety, alongside leveraging tools and technology for good, to impact mental health positively and widen access to mental health signposting and support.

Therapists belong at the forefront of these changes and shifts. No one is better suited to bring mental health into web3.

Note: the authors created and receive financial benefit from Held Mind’s training program, and are members of TherapistsDAO. Both of which are mentioned in this article.

About the Authors:

Marianne LeCoyte Grinney is a psychotherapist based in the U.K. In addition to her work at the NHS, Marianne is co-founder of Held Mind, an organization providing mental health and recovery support in a safe, ethical way to the web3 community. She is a founding team member of TherapistsDAO

Ann Dypiangco, LCSW is a psychotherapist with a small online private practice. She is co-founder of TherapistsDAO and serves as Clinical Lead for Held Mind. Ann holds a certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets from UPenn’s Wharton School.