The Benefits of AI in Therapy: A Balanced Perspective

Understanding the Complexities of AI

Like nuclear power, the merits of AI to the human species are not black and white. They are grey. Perhaps even more so than most other technologies because AI calls into question what it means to be human. As we face the ethics of AI usage—especially in therapy, where ethics are paramount—we can't simply say, "I shall be ethical and not use AI." It's not that simple. After much thought and sleepless nights, I've outlined the stances that Art & Soul Art Therapy has taken on AI.

Using AI to Write Session Notes

Writing notes has always been that grudgingly completed task for therapists. It's necessary, but it often doesn't feel essential. Out of all the thousands of pages of notes I've written after each client session, I refer back to them less than 1% of the time. My brain tends to remember what happened last session. Yet, we still need those notes. You never know when a case will require specific details, quotes shared in therapy, or even to satisfy an insurance inquiry. As the primary mentor of our therapy collective, I often had to remind other clinicians to "PLEASE write your notes!"

To tackle this, I decided to use an AI tool called PLAUD. Plaud records my sessions (with client consent) and is certified by six different privacy standards, including HIPAA. After recording, it generates a note based on my existing writing style for me to review. I check each note before approving it, which saves time. But what we do with that saved time is more important than just saving it; I give that time back to my clients. Together, we choose to use AI to allow for more face-to-face connection during our sessions. In this case, the human connection is amplified, not diminished. No jobs are lost, and notes are accurate and timely.

While there is still an environmental impact, it is minimized since the process is text-based. I also remind my student clinicians that they won't get to use this tool until they've completed their schooling. Some choose not to use it at all, and that’s perfectly fine!

Supplements to Therapy: Enhancing the Experience

Let's be honest: the time any person spends in therapy is limited. Some of that limitation comes from insurance restrictions, and some from our busy schedules. There are clients who prefer to focus solely on recent challenges during sessions, leaving little time to address underlying patterns causing ongoing issues. (Note: Some clients do this to avoid confronting deeper issues in therapy.) The goal of therapy is to eventually be out of it—at least for a while—until life throws a new curveball.

If we only focus on the past week during each session, no one is leaving therapy anytime soon. Thankfully, some AI apps have been developed in partnership with human therapists to help navigate daily stressors. This frees up therapy sessions to focus on bigger issues. One such app is Rosebud, a journaling app that offers feedback in various therapeutic styles. It asks follow-up questions, analyzes patterns, and can be there at 3 AM when your brain is spiraling and your therapist is sleeping.

Rosebud isn't a therapist and can't help in a crisis or treat trauma, but it can serve as a sounding board. It has more safeguards than typical generative AI bots, making it less likely to cause harm.

AI to Boost SEO: Navigating New Challenges

Ugh. This is a topic I wrestle with. I have no doubt that the clinicians in our office excel in their chosen therapeutic styles. I know our clients benefit and heal from our services. Yet, online referrals continue to plummet.

There are many reasons why referrals are declining: we’re moving past COVID-19, larger platforms run by venture capitalists like Grow Therapy and BetterHelp have flooded referral sites with marketing, and AI can provide some basic supports (though it can also make things much worse for people's mental health).

Despite our clinicians' skills, we can't help people if no one knows about us. This comes down to the almighty SEO ranking. Many people now seek therapists online. My website development tools are buzzing with suggestions for using AI to write blog posts, create images, and stuff keywords like "therapy," "mental health," "Connecticut," "CT," and "near me" into every other sentence.

If I follow this path, I risk gutting the "soul" of Art & Soul. If I don’t, Art & Soul Art Therapy might as well not exist. What should I do?

I’m still figuring this out, but I want to navigate this new tech landscape without sacrificing what makes us human. I might let AI help with some material to boost our SEO, but I’ll clearly distinguish what I’ve produced from what’s strictly for marketing.

What I definitely plan to do is get out there and connect with people again. Building human relationships has always generated the best referrals. We all know that not everyone is worthy of our trust, but a trustworthy human beats a bot any day of the week.

Conclusion: Embracing the Future with Caution

As we move forward, it's crucial to strike a balance between embracing technology and maintaining our humanity. AI can be a valuable tool, but it should never replace the genuine connections we build with our clients. Together, we can navigate this evolving landscape while ensuring that emotional well-being remains at the forefront of our mission.

Let’s continue to support each other on this journey toward lasting emotional well-being, while actively contributing to social justice and environmental causes. Remember, you’re not alone in this; we’re all in this together!