The intersection of AI and psychotherapy

Join us at our upcoming webinar where we explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in psychotherapy. We’ll dive into the potential benefits of AI on psychotherapy practice, as well as the ethical concerns it poses for those working in the psychotherapy professions.

AI is reshaping how we see ourselves, connect with others, and experience the world, bringing with it profound challenges to psychotherapy. For many clinicians, the pace of change feels both exciting and unsettling. Our webinar aims to help you understand how AI technologies are being used in practice and how these can enhance your work while remaining mindful of the ethical considerations that AI presents.

Join Dr. Aaron Balick for a grounded look at today’s digital culture and its implications for therapeutic practice, Kenneth Kelly who is a co-founder of Counselling Tutor and an advocate for ethical technology, and Julie Stone as she explores some of the potential ethical implications of AI in psychotherapy. This webinar will delve into the ethical, emotional and symbolic challenges AI presents. Attendees will gain insights into how AI can complement traditional therapeutic practices while maintaining ethical and professional standards, and discover how to navigate these with confidence.

Sessions

AI, mental health and psychotherapy: what every therapist needs to know

Dr Aaron Balick, psychotherapist, applied psychodynamics

As AI continues to embed itself into everyday life, its psychological and relational implications are becoming increasingly urgent. While psychotherapists may be among the most well-placed to respond to these concerns, many find themselves bewildered and anxious in the face of its rapid development. We are witnessing a profound shift in how people relate to themselves, others, and the world – alongside the greatest paradigmatic challenge to the practice and role of psychotherapy in its history.

In this talk, Dr. Balick will discuss the state of play of digital culture today to help participants better prepare for the new clinical realities it represents. Attendees will come away with a clearer understanding of how to think about these technologies and to better navigate the ethical, emotional and symbolic challenges and opportunities they pose for the profession.

A commitment to ethical and pragmatic AI integration in counselling and psychotherapy

Kenneth Kelly, founder of Counselling Tutor and representative from the Expert Reference Group (ERG) on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Counselling and Psychotherapy

In this session, Kenneth Kelly will introduce work of the Expert Reference Group (ERG) on the use of AI in counselling and psychotherapy, discussing the group’s history purpose and membership. This session will also cover the development of their statement, what they have achieved so far and how they hope this may play out in the future.

Attendees will learn about the 2025 Shared AI Charter for UK Counselling and Psychotherapy Organisations. This charter has already been signed by UKCP and sits with BACP, CPS and other bodies. Documents referenced by ERG will highlight what is happening in other parts of the world, with a focus on what is currently being trialled in the UK. There will be an examination of the legislation and consideration of its potential future implications. Additionally, Kenneth will share the critical thinking matrix – a series of questions which empowers individual counsellors and psychotherapists to understand whether an application or tool is ethically sound to use within their practice.

AI and psychotherapy: some ethical considerations

Julie Stone, independent ethics lead and chair of UKCP’s Ethics Committee

This session will explore some of the many potential ethical implications of AI for practice. It will explore the ramifications for both individual therapists and the profession as a whole, assuming that use of generative AI will become ever more prevalent.

Asking which ethical principles and theories might be helpful in thinking about AI as novel technology, topics will include potential benefits and harms, assessing fears of therapist ‘replacement’ against the distinctiveness of human interactions, and assessing capacity for ‘working with’ AI as an opportunity to support diagnosis, practice, research and supervision.

Learning objectives

During this event, you will:

• learn how AI technologies, including chatbots and machine learning models, are being utilised in mental health support
• understand the ethical considerations surrounding AI in psychotherapy, including patient privacy, consent and the limitations of AI-driven therapy
• discover how AI can enhance the work of therapists rather than replace human interaction.

Full programme coming soon.

Who should attend?

This webinar is open to all psychotherapists, counsellors, mental health practitioners, AI researchers and students in psychology and AI fields.

CPD

After this event you will receive a certificate of attendance which you can submit for consideration towards your CPD hours.

Headline sponsor

https://www.balens.co.uk/businesses/cyber-liability-crime/

Sponsor

https://www.dearknots.com/

Event terms and conditions

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Contact us

If you have any queries about this event or you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact events@ukcp.org.uk.