AI in Mental Health: the Good, the Bad, and the Dangerous
Presented by
Rachel Wood, PhD, LPC
Friday, April 3rd, 2025
9:30 am - 12:55 pm PT
Zoom, 3 CEs
On Zoom
Course Description
Artificial Intelligence is shifting the relational bedrock of society; are we ready for it as mental health professionals? AI is already in your practice, whether invited or not. Hundreds of millions of people are using AI chatbots for emotional support, which means that most clinicians have clients who are turning to chatbots in between sessions. How do we conceptualize this in the therapeutic context? How do we assess for this? What are the potential implications of AI-attachment? AI is being seamlessly interwoven into clinical tools such as EHRs for documentation, scheduling, and note summarization. Utilizing these tools requires thoughtful engagement in order to uphold the highest ethical standards of privacy, informed consent, confidentiality, and most of all the therapeutic alliance itself. Before diving into these tools additional considerations include addressing algorithmic bias and our ethical responsibility to advocate for marginalized communities. All of this and more will be explored in this insightful, nuanced, and balanced presentation of AI in mental health.
Educational Goals
This presentation will equip participants to think deeply and consider the impacts of AI as an administrative tool, as an emotional support for clients, and as a broader shift for the relational bedrock of society.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Define and describe today's current and emerging trends of AI in mental health.
- Assess the benefits and risks of AI in practice and in society.
- Explain algorithmic bias.
- Apply informed critical thinking for engaging and/or abstaining from the integration of AI in professional settings.
About Our Speaker
Dr. Rachel Wood, LPC
Dr. Rachel Wood has a PhD in cyberpsychology and is a licensed counselor in the state of Colorado. As a researcher and therapist, Rachel raises awareness about mental health and the future of synthetic relationships. She invites mental health professionals to reflect deeply on the implications of AI usage in practice and in client’s lives. Dr. Wood enjoys her work as a speaker, workshop facilitator, and strategic advisor.
Location
Zoom Meeting. Requires pre-registration with Zoom using the instructions provided in your RECAMFT confirmation email in order to get your personal Zoom Join Link.
Registration
RSVP here. Please note that once you have RSVP'd for this event, you will receive a link to register for the Zoom Meeting. You must complete this second Zoom-registration step to gain access to the event link.
Pricing
1) Registration for All RECAMFT Members - no charge
2) Reciprocal registration for members of Marin CAMFT (CODE REQUIRED) - no charge
3) Other CAMFT Members - Licensed - $45.00
4) Other CAMFT Members - Pre-Licensed - $23.00
5) Non-CAMFT Members (licensed therapists who are not members of CAMFT) - $55.00
Training Schedule and Attendance Requirements
Please note, this is a 3-CE training, comprised of three hours of training plus time for RECAMFT announcements during the meeting and a short break. You must be logged on at the beginning of the training, be present during the event (including responding to attendance checks by coming on camera, verbally replying, and/or replying in the chat), and stay logged on for the full duration, to end at 12:55pm, in order to earn the CEs. If your camera is off the entire time, and RECAMFT cannot verify you were physically present at your computer throughout the training, then RECAMFT cannot issue a CE certificate, as we would not be able to show that the BBS requirements for your participation were met.
Recording
RECAMFT intends to record this event, and assuming no technical hurdles, will be producing it as an on-demand course to be published at the RECAMFT CE Center, including the ability to earn CEs. RECAMFT members will have access there for free. Non-members and reciprocal chapter members will be able to purchase access. Access to the recording is not included with any registration for this "live" (real-time on Zoom) training. If you know that you will not be able to attend on the event date listed above, please do not register for this training and instead wait until the on-demand version is published. Registrations are managed separately and cannot be transferred.
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Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT (Provider #57173) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
- Disability Accommodation: To request an accommodation for a disability, please email info@recamft.org.
- Refunds: Refunds may be requested up to 7 days before the event by contacting info@recamft.org. No refunds are given beginning 7 days prior to the event. If a registrant cannot attend the event due to a mandatory evacuation or Public Safety Power Shut-off the day of the event, they can request and receive a refund with verification of address.
- CE Certificate: You must be physically present at your computer and watching and/or listening to the training while logged onto the zoom meeting for the entire presentation, and complete a post test and an evaluation to receive your CE credit certificate. Within a week after the conclusion of this educational event, once RECAMFT has processed attendance, an email with a link to the test and evaluation form will be sent to all participants whose physical presence during the online meeting is verified. Once you complete and submit your evaluation, you will have immediate access and be able to print or save your CE Certificate. This course meets the qualifications for 3.0 hrs of continuing education (CE) credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- Notice of Recording: Whenever possible, our CE events are recorded or filmed and may appear on our website. Your participation in this event by registering and attending indicates your approval for your likeness to appear in the recording, if any.
- Grievances: Direct grievances to info@recamft.org, and/or the chapter president at recamftpresident@gmail.com.
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Photo by cottonbro studio.
