Understanding AI in Psychotherapy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is about to empower therapists to do more for their clients without feeling like they are being spread thin. However, the key to maintaining authenticity, ethics, and the human touch rests on a therapist's ability to stay in control of the technology instead of being at the whim of it. That's precisely why I recently launched a new virtual space called AI for Therapists. This resource offers a collection of AI resources and training materials for mental-health therapists that are designed to bridge AI innovation with ethics and practice standards.
Why am I so quick to embrace AI in the therapy space? It's clear to me that AI can be used as a tool for developing treatment plans, creating assignments for clients, maintaining documentation, and tailoring each client's experience to speak to their unique cultural and personal identities. While it's important to watch out for the irresponsible "hype" regarding AI's abilities to create some sort of DIY treatment landscape for people suffering with mental health difficulties, care providers don't need to be dismissive about AI. Let's talk about what the balance looks like!
AI and the Therapy Profession: What Does the Future Hold?
"The point of the AI is to improve human care, not replace it," according to an article published by MIT Technology Review. The article points out that AI is not a quick fix for the lack of quality resources for mental health. A study that looked at the ethical implications of embodied artificial intelligence in psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy cited concerns regarding gaps in ethical framework, potential misuse of technology, and exacerbation of existing health inequalities that can spring up when AI technology is viewed as a replacement instead of an opportunity for clinical integration. Chatbots aren't capable of replacing therapists. However, they may be able to help therapists work more effectively when managing client needs.
A 2023 article published by the American Psychological Institute (APA) notes that AI tools can improve interventions, automate administrative tasks, and aid in training new clinicians. Additionally, AI tools can be useful in helping clinicians to understand human intellect and intelligence. These were the types of implications I had in mind when developing AI for Therapists. Using this virtual hub, therapists can access:
Tools and training for integrating AI into clinical practice
Videos, posts, and resources on using AI in healthcare
Virtual training
Prompt catalogs
Articles and research-backed data
Community
Let's be honest about something. Therapists and other healthcare workers in the mental health space are wary of AI. For most of us, the idea of engineers and software developers taking the reins when it comes to how technology will shape this profession feels uncomfortable. That's precisely why using AI-led tools that have been vetted and developed by a licensed therapist is a better way to dip your toe into the AI world.
I'm excited to take this journey with you because I'm confident that AI for Therapists is going to help mental health providers to reduce the amount of time they are spending on administrative tasks, leave more room for one-on-one time with clients, and close access gaps that currently exist in the field of mental health for far too many people! I hope you'll find this new virtual hub helpful!
