Understanding AI in Mental Health: What You Need to Know
Updated: Sep 14
The Importance of Confidentiality in Therapy
With AI being the buzz conversation everywhere, it’s important to consider how your mental health provider might be using AI. AI can be an amazing resource, but threats to confidentiality are a major concern for many individuals. One of the pillars of psychotherapy is that what is discussed in sessions remains confidential. Clients share their biggest secrets with their therapists—things they might never reveal to another human. If clients knew these things were being shared with others, it would shatter the trust they have in their therapist. This breach of trust could make therapy fairly ineffective.
As the owner of a private practice, I’ve done my best to avoid any AI tools that relate directly to client interactions or identifying information. While it would be convenient to have sessions recorded and summarized into neat notes from an AI note-taker, I don’t want to put my clients’ private health data at risk. When writing therapy notes, I consider what might be revealed to an insurance company and what could accidentally get exposed if our electronic health records were hacked.
Over the years, I’ve developed the skill to remember most of what clients tell me. I can see a client I haven’t met in 10 years and still recall their information. I know many clinicians aren’t able to do that. Some keep private handwritten notes in a locked file and only input vaguer notes in electronic health records.
Caution in the Age of AI
When it comes to AI and what is digitally available, my practice is extremely cautious. However, many practices—especially those that work with online therapy venture capitalist companies like Talkspace, BetterHelp, or Headway—store a great deal of data on their clients through major platforms. As much as we hope these systems won’t get hacked, unfortunately, we know they do. This is why it’s important to discuss with your therapist (or your child’s therapist) how they utilize AI in their practice.
Questions to Ask Your Therapist
Before deciding on a therapist, it’s worth asking:
How are you using AI in your practice?
How do you ensure that my personal health information (PHI) is secured?
Do you record sessions with AI?
Do you allow AI note-takers to summarize or rewrite your notes?
Do you plan on using AI in the future for these purposes?
What do you disclose in notes that my insurance company can see?
Do you disclose clinical information on any AI platform?
Do you ever use AI for clinical consultations?
It’s crucial to make an informed decision when choosing a therapist. There is something to be said for being “old-school” and not utilizing AI or cloud-based data when it isn’t necessary.
Understanding In-Network Providers
If you choose to use an in-network provider, be aware: when one is an in-network provider, insurance companies can demand audits of client files, and clinicians are bound to share those notes. You have a right to review the contents of these notes before they are submitted to your insurance company. Ask your clinician about their policy on insurance company audits and how they will inform you about any audits.
How We Use AI at PRN Counseling
As a practice owner, I see the benefits of AI as well. I will admit that we use AI to help with writing text for the website, creating worksheets (with a lot of direction), script writing for reels (with a lot of direction and edits), and ideas for marketing, website, and SEO. When possible, I prefer to hire humans for labor. I have a human administrator (who is amazing) who helps with office management. Our clinicians write their own notes without AI assistance. We might also use AI to help edit emails or text for flyers.
Otherwise, we attempt to avoid the usage of AI, which may have us lagging in some areas. However, I care more about giving clients a safe, confidential experience than the bells and whistles that AI can offer.
The Future of AI in Therapy
In this ever-changing world of technology, it’s up to us to be aware, educated, and informed consumers. Consider how you would feel if your PHI or what you disclosed in sessions were to be exposed. If you decide to use an online therapy platform, take your time to research their policies on AI. When interviewing therapists, ask them questions and gauge their responses.
You deserve to have your private information kept confidential. Remember, your mental health is a priority, and understanding how your therapist uses technology is a crucial part of that journey.
In conclusion, navigating the world of mental health and AI can be daunting. But by asking the right questions and being informed, you can ensure that your therapy experience is both safe and effective. Trust your instincts and prioritize your well-being.
Comments