A growing number of mental health therapists are leveraging AI tools to manage sessions, record notes, and handle administrative tasks. Molly Quinn, a 31-year-old librarian from Fayetteville, Arkansas, found herself at the intersection of therapy and AI when her therapist introduced an AI tool to take notes during their sessions. Initially open to the idea after researching how her data would be handled, Quinn later felt unsettled when she realized her session was being recorded without her full consent.
New companies are developing AI tools designed to assist therapists by recording conversations, generating session transcripts, and drafting clinical notes. Berries is one such company, promoting their platform as a means to reduce therapists’ administrative burdens and allow more focus on clients. Tal Salman, CEO of Berries, highlights that their system ensures audio is automatically deleted after sessions and transcripts are stored on HIPAA-compliant servers within the United States.
Despite the efficiency gains, research indicates that people remain hesitant to let AI handle their mental health care. A YouGov survey found only 11% of Americans are open to using AI in therapy and merely 8% trust it, with privacy and potential inaccuracies being significant concerns. Kellie Owens, an assistant professor of medical ethics at NYU Grossman School, underscores the limitations of HIPAA compliance, noting that data breaches are still possible even with protections in place. She suggests that verbal consent discussions should accompany any recordings in therapy to maintain psychological safety and trust.
Molly Quinn’s apprehension about potential data breaches is not hypothetical. She worries that increased technology in therapy might lead to the exposure of intimate conversations in the future. Many therapists share these concerns, feeling that AI can change the therapy experience by introducing a perceived third party. Marisa Cohen, a therapist from New York, believes introducing AI alters therapy sessions, impacting client disclosures.
Some therapists, however, find AI tools beneficial. Kym Tolson, known as “The Traveling Therapist,” utilizes AI to minimize her administrative tasks as she operates her practice remotely. Though mindful of possible AI errors, she appreciates the time saved and maintains transparency with clients about the recording process. Research from The Permanente Medical Group supports the notion that AI tools can significantly reduce documentation burdens across healthcare professions.
For Quinn, after her November session revelation, she opted to change therapists and avoid the use of AI in future sessions, reiterating the importance of privacy. Her decision reflects ongoing concerns about privacy and trust within therapy as technology continues to evolve in the field.