“What Are You Feeding Your Algorithm? A Therapist’s Reflection on Awareness, Influence, and What We Take In”

Dear Fellow Therapists,

We hear the word “algorithm” often, especially in the context of social media, but many of us may not give it much thought beyond that. In simple terms, an algorithm is a system that responds to what we engage with. The more we click, watch, search, or pause on something, the more of it we are shown. Over time, our digital environment becomes shaped by our patterns of attention.

Recently, I found myself reflecting on this in a deeper way. During a challenging season, I noticed something interesting. The content that began showing up on my social media and video platforms felt aligned with what I needed in that moment. Messages of encouragement. Music that resonated. Videos that offered perspective and grounding. 

It made me pause. Not because I was intentionally searching for all of it, but because even small moments of engagement seemed to shift what I was receiving. What I gave my attention to began to shape what came back to me. And that idea felt familiar.

As therapists, we understand that what we attend to matters. In cognitive and behavioral work, we explore how thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. In mindfulness, we emphasize awareness of what we allow into our mental and emotional space. In trauma work, we recognize how repeated exposure can shape internal experiences over time. In many ways, the concept of an algorithm mirrors this. 

What we consume, we reinforce. What we engage, we see more of. What we focus on, expands.

This reflection is not about promoting technology or suggesting that algorithms are inherently good or bad. Rather, it is an invitation to consider how awareness of our inputs can influence our internal world. If we are constantly engaging with stress, negativity, or comparison, we may begin to feel the weight of those patterns. On the other hand, when we intentionally or even unintentionally engage with content that is affirming, grounding, or encouraging, it can support our emotional well-being.

This extends beyond social media. It applies to the conversations we engage in. The environments we place ourselves in. The narratives we rehearse internally.

As therapists, we often guide clients to become more aware of their patterns. What they are taking in. What they are focusing on. What they are reinforcing, sometimes without realizing it. This reflection is a gentle reminder that we, too, are influenced by what we consume. We are not immune to it.

Perhaps the question is not whether algorithms exist, but how we are interacting with them. Are we mindful of what we are feeding? Are we aware of what is being fed back to us? Are we creating space for inputs that support our growth, healing, and clarity? In a season where I needed encouragement, I found that even small shifts in attention created a different experience. It did not remove the challenge, but it supported how I moved through it.

A Therapist’s Reflection

We may not always control what appears before us, but we do have some control over what we engage with and what we return to. And over time, that matters.

To my fellow therapists, this is an invitation to remain mindful not only of what you offer to others, but also of what you allow yourself to receive. Because what we take in, consistently and intentionally, has the power to shape how we think, feel, and show up.

Wishing you all wellness and growth,

Jinia