Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? Here’s everything you need to know about how The Psych Update works, from article selection and sourcing to managing your account.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out via our contact us page.
Who is The Psych Update designed for?
Our service is designed for mental health professionals, including therapists, psychologists, counsellors, and researchers, who want a practical way to stay at the forefront of their field.
Are the updates only available by email?
Not at all. The Psych Update has its own dedicated app that includes your own personal research library: a clean, searchable space that helps you stay organized and revisit past insights anytime.
It’s especially useful if you prefer reading outside of your inbox, or want a quick way to review research without scrolling through old emails.
What if I need research on something specific right now?
That’s exactly what the Search page is for. If you’re dealing with a specific case or question and don’t have time to wait for it to show up in your weekly updates you can instantly search past summaries by keyword, topic, or treatment. It’s a fast way to get relevant insights when you need them most, whether it’s for a session, team consult, or your own curiosity.
How does The Psych Update complement CE courses?
CE courses provide structured, in-depth learning on specific topics, but they can’t cover every new development in the field. The Psych Update fills that gap by keeping you informed on the latest research between CE courses. Our summaries help you stay confident in your practice by ensuring you remain knowledgeable of emerging trends, new treatment insights, and evolving best practices. That means you can stay up to date on best practices between courses, and when it’s time for your next CE course you know how and where to invest your energy.
How does The Psych Update use AI for article summaries?
We utilize AI as a high-speed processing engine to execute a strictly controlled, clinically structured summarization protocol. The AI’s function is to distill complex research into a clear, actionable format, allowing you to instantly determine the relevance of the article to your practice. Every article summary is consistently delivered in three mandatory, easy-to-scan points designed to increase speed without risking missing important context:
- Methodology & Topic – A concise overview of what the study addressed and the methods used to conduct the research.
- Key Findings – The main results and conclusions drawn from the study.
- Practical Implications – How the findings apply to clinical work or future research.
Are AI summaries reliable?
Yes, they are highly reliable. Our proprietary system uses AI for speed, but all summaries are generated under strict human oversight and are built with clinical safety as the top priority. We treat the AI as a powerful tool for efficiency, not an autonomous editor. Here is how we ensure reliability and nuance:
- Human-Defined Structure: We use custom-engineered prompts that strictly limit the AI to answering specific, pre-determined questions about the methodology and practical application of the research.
- Source Isolation: The AI is never permitted to access multiple research articles at once. This eliminates the risk of synthesizing external information or generating composite, inaccurate claims.
- Nuance Check: The system is specifically instructed to call out any important caveats, methodological limitations, or nuances within the research summary.
- Integrated Feedback Loop: We have continuous processes to review and confirm the accuracy of answers, which refines the system based on expert feedback.
How is The Psych Update different from other alert systems?
Our system is designed with a specific focus on mental health professionals and connecting research into your workflow. As such, we focus on:
- Reducing overwhelm – Instead of blasting you with every article containing a specific keyword, we look for practically relevant research that can move your work forward.
- Giving you complete control – We recognize that a black box algorithm isn’t good enough. You have full power to select and adjust your preferences as you see fit, rather than relying on an algorithm to guess your interests.
- Saving you time – Each study is distilled into key points so you can decide where to focus without getting bogged down in details.
How many articles do I get per week?
Each week, you’ll receive a curated selection of five articles tailored to your interests based on the ranking algorithm described above.
How many topics can I select?
You can select as many or as few topics as you like. Some subscribers prefer broad coverage across multiple areas, while others focus on a narrow set of interests. The system adjusts based on your selections to provide the best matches.
Can I change my topic preferences?
Absolutely! You can update your topic preferences at any time to reflect changes in your work or refine the types of research you receive.
Will I have access to the full text of every article?
All of the articles included in your updates are from peer-reviewed journals, many of which are paywalled. By default, we include both open-access and paywalled articles, but you always have access to the abstract. If you prefer, you can choose to receive only open-access articles, which allow full-text access. You can update this preference at any time in your settings.
Can I receive only open-access articles?
Yes! You can choose to receive only open-access articles or a mix of open-access and paywalled content. Every article comes with its abstract, and if it’s open-access, you’ll always have full access to the entire study.
Which journals do you source articles from?
We gather articles from a wide range of global, interdisciplinary journals. We include mental health-related articles from non-psychological journals, so long as the articles’ main themes are mental health-related. We also prioritize high-quality, peer-reviewed journals while intentionally excluding predatory or low-quality publications. This ensures that the research you receive is trustworthy and clinically relevant.
How recent are the articles in my updates?
All articles in your weekly update were published within the last twelve months. We allow a twelve month timeframe to ensure that you never miss a critical article without having to increase your burden on any given week.
How do I manage my subscription?
Your subscription can be managed through your account page. Your account page allows you to view receipts, view and change your subscription status, update your email address and even delete your account and all associated data.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes! We use Stripe to handle all payments as securely as possible. Your payment information is never retained on The Psych Update servers and is always securely protected by Stripe.
Do you offer subscription options for groups or clinics?
Yes! We offer group and clinic subscriptions. If you’re interested, email chris@thepsychupdate.com for more details.
How can I provide feedback?
We would love to hear from you! If you have suggestions or feedback, email chris@thepsychupdate.com or complete our contact us form.