The Beginner's Blueprint for Using AI in Clinical Practice
According to a paper published in 2023 on the future of AI in mental healthcare, AI seems to be better than human therapists at diagnosing some diseases because it can learn from vast datasets and recognize patterns better than we can. Getting started with artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical practice is understandably intimidating for therapists. Like all tools used in therapy, AI has a learning curve. It can also be something that hurts more than it helps when best practices aren't being followed. This guide to how to get started with using AI in clinical practice will help you to feel confident about implementing technology that can help you to provide better care for your clients!
Step 1: Learn the Basics of Prompts
For AI beginners, simply understanding how prompts work can change the game. Prompts are carefully curated commands that allow AI to "do its thing." That thing is delivering data points and information. In fact, properly formulated prompts are so important that I offer a prompt catalog delivering meticulously crafted prompts for therapists. These prompts are vital for:
Creating individualized client plans and notes.
Understanding how to produce the best patient outcomes.
Implementing clinically proven, science-backed techniques.
Improving diagnosis accuracy.
If you're feeling intimidated about using AI as a therapist, becoming familiar with prompts is the fastest way to start feeling confident and competent in this realm. In my experience, there are two major mistakes that therapists make when approaching prompts for the first time. The first is assuming that prompts are "foolproof." This is a completely different format compared to keyword searches and it takes time and practice to learn effective prompts. The more skillful you get at using prompts, the faster you can begin to use AI to optimize your practice and reduce administrative burdens.
The second major mistake that therapists make with AI is to assume that it's too complex to grasp. They assume that AI isn't something they will ever be able to utilize because it's beyond the scope of their professional skill stack. In reality, utilizing AI for clinical purposes is not very different from any of the other complex skills psychologists acquire during education and training.
Step 2: Stay in the Conversation
The conversation about AI in clinical practice is only just beginning. My advice is to dip your toe in now to begin to understand the basics. However, beginning to utilize prompts is truly just the beginning. By banding together with other therapists, professionals in the field of mental health can stay connected to the developments that are happening. In addition to implementing new technologies that are introduced, therapists also have a responsibility to stay in the conversation to ensure that AI is being used ethically, equitably, and responsibly.
Don't Stay in the Dark About AI for Therapists
As therapists, we're used to pivoting based on the latest research and data. AI is really no different. A combination of self-education, mentorship, and community can help therapists to both utilize and dictate the future of AI. That's why I am really hoping to connect with you on my new AI for Therapists hub for all things AI + therapy.
