Navigating AI in therapy: A guide for clinicians and clients

As artificial intelligence transforms healthcare, understanding how these tools affect the treatment process becomes essential for both mental health professionals and those receiving care.

This guide offers insights for therapists and clinicians implementing AI as well as for clients and patients wanting to understand how these technologies might impact their treatment experience.

Why open dialogue about AI matters to everyone

Recent surveys show that over 80% of Americans believe healthcare AI needs additional regulation, highlighting the importance of transparency in mental health practices.

For clinicians: Discussing AI use demonstrates ethical practice, builds trust, and fulfills professional obligations around informed consent.

For clients/patients: Understanding how your information is used, processed, and protected allows you to make informed decisions about your care and maintain control over your personal data.

This transparent approach creates opportunities to address concerns while honoring the therapeutic relationship’s foundation of trust.

Understanding AI in the therapeutic setting

For clinicians

Before discussing AI with clients, conduct a thorough assessment of your implementation.
Review SimplePractice’s recent CE course on AI Tools to support your practice:

• Document AI applications in your practice
• Clarify specific purposes for AI and boundaries
• Evaluate potential benefits and limitations
• Watch for tools that might diminish the human connection

For clients/patients

Consider asking your provider:

• Which aspects of your care involve AI technologies
• How these tools enhance rather than replace human judgment
• What safeguards protect your privacy and confidentiality

Starting the conversation about AI use

For clinicians

When introducing AI in your practice:

1. Begin with client perceptions about AI in healthcare.
2. Clearly explain how AI enhances your specific services.
3. Establish clear boundaries on where AI will be used and where it will not be used.
4. Share your reasoning behind selecting particular tools.
5. Address privacy concerns with specific security measures.
6. Emphasize your oversight of all AI-generated content.
7. Obtain appropriate consent for recording or direct AI interaction.
8. Document these discussions in your clinical records.

For clients/patients

You might ask your provider:

• “How does AI technology support our work together?”
• “What happens to my information when AI tools are used?”
• “How do you ensure AI enhances rather than replaces our relationship?”
• “What options do I have if I’m uncomfortable with certain AI applications?”

Understanding SimplePractice Note Taker

Let’s take a look at how SimplePractice Note Taker works and explore some of the benefits of using Note Taker for both clinicians and clients.

How Note Taker works

Note Taker uses artificial intelligence to create accurate clinical documentation while keeping clinician decisioning central to the process.

The process

1. Recording: When activated by the clinician, Note Taker securely captures session audio. The recording can be stopped at any time during the session.
2. Transcription: After the appointment, the system transcribes the conversation and immediately deletes the original recording.
3. Note generation: Using the transcript, Note Taker drafts a clinical note reflecting the provider’s style and approach. By “looking back” to the clinician’s previous session notes the AI is able to learn the clinician’s specific documentation style, preferences, and the types of information they include in their notes. This ensures consistency with the clinician’s approach to documentation.
4. Clinical review: The clinician reviews, edits, and finalizes the note before saving it to the client’s record. The transcript is then de-identified and de-coupled from the clinician and client.

Benefits for both therapists and clients

For clinicians:

• Reduces note-taking during sessions
• Better captures important clinical details and recurring patterns
• More precise documentation of treatment progress
• Reduces administrative burden while maintaining quality records

For clients/patients:

• Less demands on your therapist during sessions
• More accurate documentation of your unique concerns and experiences
• Assurance that your provider maintains oversight of all documentation

Common questions about SimplePractice AI Note Taker

“Is our conversation being recorded?”

Recording occurs only when your clinician activates Note Taker during a session. You can request the recording be paused or stopped at any time.

“Is the feature HIPAA compliant?”

Note Taker is fully HIPAA compliant with HITRUST certification that verifies the strictest level of security compliance. Your personal health information is never sold and remains protected within the platform.

“Is my data secure?”

All transcripts and notes are safeguarded with SimplePractice’s comprehensive security measures in alignment with HIPAA regulations and privacy policies.

“Who can access my information?”

Only clinicians with authorized access to your profile can view transcriptions and draft notes. Support staff may access data when necessary, operating under strict HIPAA obligations. Transcripts are de-identified and de-coupled from your record after your clinician reviews and signs the note.

“How long are recordings kept?”

Recordings are deleted immediately after transcription, which typically occurs in less than 5 minutes. Once your clinician reviews and signs the note, all identifying information is removed from the transcription data. If notes aren’t finalized within seven days, identifying data is automatically deleted.

“What happens to the transcript from the recording?”

While we retain transcription data for customers using Note Taker, the data is de-identified and anonymized, which means all personally identifying information is completely removed following HIPAA’s Safe Harbor rule for de-identification.

There will be no PHI that can be traced back to the client or the clinician. Additionally, the de-identified and anonymized transcription data will be fully encrypted and stored internally by SimplePractice.

“Will my information train AI systems?”

Note Taker, or any other AI-powered functionality SimplePractice may introduce in the future, will be designed to enhance and supplement clinicians’ work. Our mission is to help clinicians thrive, and AI is just another tool we’re using to better support clinicians in their day-to-day job and running their practice.

We strongly believe that trained practitioners are at the center of clinical care, and we’d like to reassure you that only de-identified data from transcripts will be used as a way to continue to improve the SimplePractice Note Taker feature.

AI implementation considerations

For clinicians

• Update your practice policies and informed consent documents.
• Verify compliance with state-specific recording regulations.
• Provide ongoing opportunities for client feedback.
• Be prepared to adjust AI use based on individual preferences.

For clients/patients

• Review your provider’s policies on AI use.
• Discuss any concerns during your sessions.
• Understand your right to opt out of certain AI applications.
• Provide feedback about your experience with AI-assisted care.

Conclusion

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into mental health practice, open communication between therapists and clients becomes essential.

By discussing how, when, and why AI tools are used—with careful attention to privacy, security, and the therapeutic relationship—both parties can benefit from technological advances while preserving the human connection at the heart of effective therapy.

Remember that conversations about AI should evolve alongside changing technology and individual needs, creating an ongoing dialogue that supports both clinical excellence and client autonomy.

How SimplePractice streamlines running your practice

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If you’ve been considering switching to an EHR system, SimplePractice empowers you to run a fully paperless practice—so you get more time for the things that matter most to you.

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