Why I Won't Be Using AI In My Practice
When I went to a doctor’s appointment I saw a flyer hanging on the cabinet that caught my attention. It said that AI would be used to record information for my visit note but I had the option to decline that… and I sure did. Since then, I have been hearing and seeing more and more ads, reviews, and conversations about professionals using AI. I have some strong opinions about it so I figured I would share them for your knowledge and consideration.
To cut to the chase- I won’t be using AI in my therapy practice. The following list covers some ways that therapists are using AI and further elaborates on my reasons for not using it:
Listening/recording sessions: I take privacy seriously and while I have read that tech companies put extra safeguards to protect privacy, are HIPPA compliant, and state that the data isn’t stored… I still don’t like it. Therapy is a place to discuss very personal and private details and I believe that a recording, even done by a computer, a bot, or a cloud shouldn’t have access to that. It’s also one of the biggest parts of my job… to listen to you. I don’t need a computer to help me with that.
Writing notes and documentation: Therapists have to write a visit note after a session. The visit note is important for me but also for a client. There are several things that are required to be documented in a note and there is also room for professional discretion. My notes are curated specifically to each individual but follow a consistent format. One detail to my format includes writing in an order accurate to the flow of the discussion but also addresses how much time or focus there was on each area. Maybe you mentioned something that was quite significant and impactful that took up the majority of the session as compared to the 4 other topics we touched on… that is important to note. I don’t have confidence that AI would consider details like this in “its” documentation.
I also observe nonverbal cues of the session. Perhaps I could see/hear that there was hesitation, uncertainty, joy, or relief in your tone of voice, your non-verbal cues, or in your expressions. Possibly, you were embarrassed and I saw that by you blushing, fiddling with your hands, or speaking with more reluctance in your voice. Does AI pick up on that? !’m not sure but I know I do, and I would make a note of that.
Lastly, while a clinician can always go back and re-read and edit an AI generated note, the actual act of writing things out is good for the memory. Therefore, the act of writing the note MYSELF, serves as another reminder and opportunity to reflect on topics discussed. This in turn, allows me to think about a plan for next time and to aid my recall. That way, when we meet again, I don’t have to click through pages of notes to remember small personal details (like your dogs name or your where you work) and large details (such as an interview you were nervous about or a social encounter that had you out of your comfort zone). I have it in my mind… because I listened myself and because I wrote the note.
Writing goals/treatment planning: I write goals based on our conversations. I document using the specific language and verbiage we used together versus psychology jargon that sounds professional but isn’t personal to you and may not strike the same reaction, motivation, and memory when its read back to you.
For example, let’s say we are working on concepts involving self-esteem, doubt, being anxious about the thoughts or opinions of others, having difficulty saying no, or asserting your opinions. I’ll likely ask you questions about how you see yourself in these uncomfortable situations and point out what you bring to the table. Eventually, you just may realize you are working way too hard to convince others about who you are and what you are capable of. This might lead me to reach for humor, an analogy or comparison (something I do often) telling you that you don’t have to campaign or convince people that the product (you) is a great one. If you laughed or commented that the statement resonated with you I am going to write down the goal as: let the product sell itself, or that you are done campaigning. We will talk about what that looks like and sounds like in your day-to-day life so you have application behind that statement. For many, stating the goal that way makes it easier to remember in the first place and to catch yourself doing it. This leads to a higher likelihood for you to be able to correct it next time.
On the flip side, an AI generated goal related on that subject would sound like this: Client will practice assertive communication skills in 2 different settings. Client will develop and rehearse at least 2 alternative balanced thoughts for common people-pleasing scenarios. Client will identify challenges of rejection, disapproval or fear. Client will report a 30% increase in comfort with setting boundaries, as measured by self-report scales.
While these aren’t “bad” to me- they just feel cold, stiff, and boringly impersonal. They are also vague, harder to remember/think of because of the wordiness/jargon. Also… how are you going to measure 30%...are we coloring in pie charts and doing stats?
Website content, blogs, and social media posts: Now listen… I may use it to help make a graphic because designing a cute Instagram square on Canva is NOT your girl’s strong suit (although at the time of my writing this I have not done so because I have no idea how to even use AI to do that) but I won’t be using it to write the content. This form of advertising, if you will, is a place for you to get an idea of who I am and a feel for my style, skillset, and approach to therapy and communication in general. These spaces are designed by me for you to get an idea of my thoughts, observations, recommendations, areas of focus, etc. I believe that using AI to write posts, blogs, or website content is false advertising… if it isn’t my idea or my words I shouldn’t be acting like it is, and I won’t.
Regardless of the different ways a therapist can use AI, in my opinion, you hired a person. A person that has real life experience- personally and professionally. Anyone can go to the internet to google or look something up on an AI platform… so you have that at your disposal if you want, as do I. However, it remains a priority of mine to provide you something that isn’t robotic and programmed and instead provide you all that is available from a good old real live therapist, including the important gift of human connection.