Swedish Therapy Cabs: Therapy on the Go

http://www.ngvglobal.com/images/stories/vehicles/Volvo_tri-fuel_Stockholm_Taxi_(2009).jpg

Sweden has the highest number of one-person households in the EU — 47% of Swedish households are comprised of persons living alone. Living alone can increase loneliness and other symptoms of depression especially during long Swedish winters where there is very little daylight.

In an attempt to introduce therapy to riders who may be experiencing depression and/or other issues, Taxi Stockholm, a private taxi service, has hired three therapists to provide counseling in the back seat of its taxis to passengers. The idea is to normalize therapy and even help passenger/client with a pressing issue. No matter how short the ride, bringing therapy to the rider can expose and normalize the idea of therapy so they are more likely to seek it out themselves after they leave the taxi.

What a great idea! I am all for it — especially in large cities where personal connections are difficult to make and maintain and time is short. This could be one very clever idea to destigmatize therapy for the general public.