Remote Psychological Consultation in a School Clinic in Times of Burnout Society

This work reports on the experience of remote psychological consultation conducted in a school clinic at a public university, during the COVID-19 lockdown. Proposed by the institution given the imperative continuity of the service provided to the academic community, the new format offered daily consultations lasting on average 50 minutes, via the Meet and Skype platforms. Based on the concept of Burnout Society proposed by the philosopher Byung-Chul Han, we observe how the professional has become a self-entrepreneur, operating under the logic of self-demand and performance towards the goals listed. Moreover, we see how the emerging need to be on the move to be productive led to the imminent trivialization of affections in relation to others. Prolonged screen exposure fatigues the professional, thereby compromising the contemplative aspect essential for listening in clinical practice. Finally, professional commitment is needed so as not to assume the position of a technocrat, at the risk of engaging in neoliberal alienated productivity and taking the other only as a demand for work, neglecting its otherness. This reflection could be applied to professional practice and self-care by psychologists in the form of engagement in case discussion groups, conversation circles and rest time.

Keywords:
Online Service; Psychological Consultation; COVID-19; Burnout Society.