The Impact of AI on Therapists and Their Work

As AI technologies like chatGPT shape the working world, we asked therapists to share their thoughts and insights on the benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations of using AI for mental health. These are their responses to our questions on using Chatgpt and other AI tools for therapy.

1. Do clients turn to ChatGPT (or other AI) for therapy, and if so, how and for what? What are your thoughts on this? Are there benefits or risks? Can ChatGPT provide therapy? If not, why?

Experts hold varying opinions regarding clients seeking AI for therapy. Chris Rabanera, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of http://www.thebaseeq.com/ , believes that clients do not turn to AI for therapy. In his view, individuals use AI tools to gather information about their symptoms and potential treatments.

However, Satadeepa Som, a Psychologist and Sexual Wellness Therapist at Allo Health https://www.allohealth.care/doctors/mrs-satadeepa-som suggests that clients do turn to ChatGPT and other AI for therapy in certain cases. "These interactions often occur through chatbot applications or online platforms. The reasons individuals seek AI therapy vary, including convenience, anonymity, accessibility, and the perception of non-judgmental interactions."

2. Some people might worry that AI could replace human therapists entirely, making traditional forms of therapy obsolete. What is your perspective on this, and how do you see the role of human therapists and AI working together in the future?

People worry about the 'Artificial Intelligence Therapist' taking over therapists and making traditional therapy irrelevant, but honestly, it's not likely to happen. As a Community Counselor and Outreach Specialist, Michelle Giordano https://liveanotherday.org/staff/michelle-giordano/ firmly believes that AI cannot replicate the depth of understanding, empathy, and therapeutic interaction that human therapists provide.

Ryan Sultan, MD, a Board-Certified Mental Health Physician and Clinical Director, https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/research-labs/sultan-lab echoes this sentiment and believes that “AI has a long way to go in terms of developing the necessary sophistication and skills to come close to replacing therapists. Additionally, it will take time for people to become comfortable with the idea of AI therapists. So, rest assured, all our jobs are safe for the time being!”

3. What are the most exciting possibilities for using AI in therapy? Are there any applications or use cases that you find particularly promising or innovative?

DR Lea McMahon, the Chief Clinical Officer at Symetria Recovery https://www.symetriarecovery.com/author/dr-mcmahon/ states, “There has been research about AI being able to detect tone in patients, noticing small inflections that could help therapists see in real time a change in mood, or shift in something that could help to open an avenue of conversation that may not have been noticeable to the human ear.”

4. What are the ethical considerations, and how should therapists and clients address them?

Data Security

It's only natural for clients to worry about the privacy of their data, particularly in this digital age. Nancy Ryan, a relationship therapist https://www.therelationshiptherapycenter.com/ highlights this concern, emphasizing the need to “protect client privacy as AI tools become more integrated into therapy. To uphold client trust, therapists and AI platforms should implement stringent measures to safeguard client information and adhere to privacy regulations. Transparency in data management practices is key to ensuring that client data is used ethically and protected from unauthorized access or breaches.”

Confidentiality and Informed Consent

Dr. Brian Alman, a stress care therapist, emphasizes that clients should be fully informed about the use of AI in therapy, including its limitations and potential risks. Clients have to give full consent before therapists engage with AI tools for therapy.

5. Should therapists have special training to use AI? What should it address?

While there isn't a unanimous consensus on whether therapists need special training, therapists agree on the importance of understanding how to effectively integrate AI tools into therapy. Dr. R.Y. Langham, a certified psychologist and marriage therapist, https://www.betweenusclinic.com/author/dr-langham/ believes that while specialized training may not be mandatory, "Therapists should be trained on integrating AI into their practice effectively, handling any arising challenges, and adhering to privacy and ethical standards." On the other hand, Dr. Lea McMahon advocates for specialized training, "Anything that is involved with therapy should have specialist training involved for safety reasons. It is important that how much it is utilized is addressed and for what types of issues it should be completely avoided."

6. AI for therapy could make mental health care more accessible to people who live in areas with limited access to mental health professionals. What are some of the challenges and limitations of this approach, and how can we work to overcome them?

Dr. Sultán asserts that "Challenges might include technology access and literacy, language and cultural barriers, and the potential for over-reliance on AI at the expense of professional care. Solutions might involve education about the proper use of AI tools, availability of these tools in various languages, and collaboration with local communities to ensure culturally appropriate care."

Therapists also have to "Consider the demographics. Areas with limited access to mental health professionals are also areas that either have little to no reliable internet and/or the individuals who are drawn to these regions are typically not the type who cares about AI or innovative tech-related technology in the first place" says Nancy Ryan.

In DR. Brian Alman’s opinion https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrianalman "To overcome these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is needed...Collaboration between technology developers, mental health professionals, and researchers can help address bias, improve cultural sensitivity, and expand the capabilities of AI tools to better serve diverse populations."

7. What do you see as the potential future of chatGPT in therapy? How might this technology continue to evolve and improve over time, and how could it impact how we think about mental health care and therapy more broadly?

8. How do you see the role of AI in therapy evolving? Are there any particular advancements or changes in technology that will significantly impact how we think about AI and mental health care?

As AI technology continues to evolve, the potential future of chatGPT and other AI in therapy holds exciting possibilities. Chris Rabanero highlights, “There is a possibility that AI can evolve into a form of therapy treatment. As AI adapts, becomes more powerful, and addresses its gaps, this technology may change mental health care. I’d like to think that as tools like chatGPT are used in mental health care, mental health care becomes less stigmatized.”

Satadeepa Som says 'AI can be integrated with wearable devices that monitor physiological and behavioural data. This data can provide additional insights to therapists, helping them track client progress, identify triggers, and personalize interventions."

"The potential future of ChatGPT in therapy is vast. It could become a regular component of mental health care, providing support between sessions, aiding in symptom tracking, and offering personalized strategies. As AI technology continues to evolve, it could become even more sophisticated in understanding and responding to human emotion and mental health needs." says DR. Sultán.

Michelle Giordano adds that "Therapists can benefit from ChatGPT's informational support, research assistance, idea generation, and administrative support" This can free up therapists' time so they focus on helping clients.

9. Are there creative and exciting ways that ChatGPT has assisted you in your practice, either clinically or administratively?

The use of AI in therapy is still in its teething stage and has not taken root with many therapists. However, R.Y. Langham expresses that she has found value in using AI as a neutral space for clients to express themselves. It can provide information, support practice exercises, and help users explore their feelings.

Nancy Ryan of the Relationship Therapy Center says "In the therapy world right now, what we are using AI for right now is for social media marketing only".

10. Finally, what advice would you give to therapists considering using chatGPT in their practice?

Satadeepa Som, advises other therapists to "Keep up-to-date with advancements in AI and mental health care. Attend relevant workshops, conferences, and training programs to enhance your skills and knowledge in integrating AI into your practice."

DR. Sultán suggests, "For therapists considering using ChatGPT, I would advise them to see it as a tool to augment their practice, not replace it. It's crucial to stay informed about the tool's capabilities and limitations, ensure data privacy and security, and communicate clearly with clients about how the tool will be used in their care.”

DR Lea McMahon also advises therapists to "wait to make sure it's right for you. Learn as much as you can from reputable sources and experts before implementing anything. Research how what you are considering is already being used. Don't be pressured for saving money or time. Make sure you're completely comfortable before introducing anything."

To conclude AI tools have a significant impact on the work of therapists, offering both benefits and limitations. While AI technologies like chatGPT can enhance accessibility and efficiency, they also raise ethical considerations and can not replace therapists. Instead, therapists have to adapt, embrace the potential, and navigate the evolving landscape with empathy and care for their client's well-being.