16 Feb Dangerous Shortcuts – Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Bots in Therapy
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool when used or deployed within certain boundaries (just like therapy!). But lately, AI has become….well, TOO intelligent. AI’s increasing capability has led to its expanding use in the mental healthcare space in the form of phone systems, bots, and chat engines that are beginning to assume roles that most argue are best assumed by a trained human provider. The struggle between increasing access to quality care while maintaining a well-regulated, safe, and ethical mental healthcare system is becoming more complex than we ever could have imagined!
In an increasingly digitalized world coupled with the post Covid-19 increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being accessed at increasing rates by individuals seeking behavioural health care services. The ethical implications of these services are alarming, as therapeutic interaction with phone applications and chatbots is not regulated by mental health licensing authorities as trained human providers are. These tools were initially intended to be used as an adjunct to primary care under human providers; however, the increased demand for services outweighing access to trained providers is resulting in AI quickly becoming stand-alone care for individuals with behavioural healthcare needs. This cutting-edge and timely ethics training will provide an overview of common uses of AI in therapy, its questionable increasing role in the delivery of mental healthcare, and ethical implications as AI becomes more intelligent, and more pervasive in society.
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
a). Define Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it is being used with chatbots and phone applications as a primary therapist.
b). Describe two ethical considerations that apply to the use of AI outside the bounds of ethics and the regulation of mental health practice.
c). Identify two aspects of mandatory disclosure regarding clients seeking behavioural health care services and utilizing adjunct AI-driven services.
Target Audience:
Clinical Mental Health Professionals such as Counsellors, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers.
Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS
A native of Wyoming (USA), Jodi holds an Associate of Science Degree in Education from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Sciences with areas of emphasis in psychology, economics, political science and anthropology, and a Master of Science Degree in Counselor Education and Human Development with an emphasis in Leadership from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming.
Jodi has extensive training and experience in working in the telehealth model. She authored an article regarding transitioning to working remotely and provided support to others transitioning to remote work during the Covid-19 Pandemic shut down in 2020.
Jodi has held positions as a clinician, clinical coordinator, clinical supervisor, regional clinical director, telehealth clinical supervisor and education and training coordinator in her years in community behavioral health. Jodi currently works full time as a telehealth clinical supervisor and trainer for Volunteers of America Norther Rockies (VOANR). Volunteers of America Northern Rockies merged with Peak Wellness Center in July of 2020 and serves the needs of individuals with behavior health care and substance use disorder challenges, as well as specializing in services for veterans in Montana, Wyoming and Western South Dakota.
This online workshop will give you instant access to 2 sessions of video content, accessible via streaming on our website, as well as downloadable supplemental materials. You can view the course content in your own time, there is no time limit on access.
The duration of this course is 2 learning hours.
Please click the green ‘Mark Complete’ button on each module as you progress. A certificate of completion will be generated upon finishing the course and completing a short assessment quiz. If the certificate is not showing, please confirm you have marked all sections as ‘Complete’. Please consult your professional organisation/association to confirm whether you are able to claim any CPD points/hours for this online workshop.
