It’s exploding, isn’t it? It feels like everywhere you click there is an AI search summary, an AI assistant, ChatGPT, or Claude right there to help you, to answer your questions, and to support you. The headlines vary from shouting “it’s a cataclysmic disaster!” to
“it will solve all the major problems in the world!’
But quietly, in the privacy of our own screens, so many of us are turning to AI for emotional support, because it feels like it’s there and so helpful. It makes so much sense. And… maybe you are wondering if that’s ok, maybe you are wondering whether it’s going to get you where you want to go or, in the end, it will lead you away from yourself. Or maybe you want both, the AI and a human, supporting you… I suspect a lot of people will end up doing that.
As a therapist and a human, I am fascinated by the effect that AI is having on our consciousness. I am researching, thinking, and working to understand how AI can support the world’s wellbeing instead of leading us to a more impoverished world, on an emotional and physical levels.
Here is my latest Substack article
Curious about understanding when and how AI can help with emotional wellbeing and when it’s best to talk to humans or a therapist? Curious about collaborating on understanding AI’s impact on human consciousness? Reach out, either as a client or a colleague. [email protected]
I am running a discussion group for clinicians on this topic.
My current personal stance on AI
I do not use AI in my therapy and coaching practice for discussing clients. At all. I don’t use an AI note taker or chat with AI about any client related issues. I don’t record my sessions. I don’t use it for my writing, beyond spell checking. I only use it for work that’s not directly client-related (such as formatting slides or casual topic exploration). To understand how AI works on a personal level, I use myself as a guinea pig for gaining experience.
However, I want to fully respect my clients’ wishes to use AI, and want to make sure that clients feel comfortable and not judged by me when they do discuss how they use AI. This comes from my fundamental belief that the non-judgement and trust between me and my clients is vital to healing.
I don’t use AI in my clinical practice because I feel that I don’t fully understand and trust the use of data that goes into any AI platform, and I want to safeguard my clients’ data to the highest degree possible.