In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Vaile Wright, the inaugural senior director of the Office of Healthcare Innovation at the American Psychological Association. They discuss the intersection of AI and psychology, exploring how technology can improve mental health care, the hesitancy among psychologists to adopt AI tools, and the importance of maintaining human connection in therapy. Dr. Wright shares insights on the current landscape of AI applications in mental health, the role of policy and regulation, and the guidance provided by the APA for psychologists navigating this evolving field.

Takeaways

The future of therapy may involve integrating AI responsibly.

Human connection remains essential in therapeutic settings.

Policy and regulation around AI in psychology are still developing.

Psychologists need to educate themselves about AI tools.

AI can help fill gaps in mental health care access.

Curiosity about AI can lead to innovative applications in practice.

How APA is providing help to psychologists navigate AI use.

Connect with Dr. Vaile Wright

Website: apa.org

Email: ohci@apa.org

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/c-vaile-wright-ph-d-599000b8

In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Don Grant, a media psychologist, about the intersection of AI and mental health. They discuss the implications of AI on socialization, the rise of chatbots, and the potential dangers of relying on AI for mental health support. Dr. Grant emphasizes the importance of understanding technology as a tool, the need for parents and clinicians to engage with children about their use of AI, and the responsibilities that come with it.

Takeaways

• AI has been embedded in many platforms for a long time, influencing user behavior.

• Chatbots can provide support but are not substitutes for professional mental health care.

• The availability of chatbots raises concerns about misinformation and lack of accountability.

• Parents should engage with their children about their use of AI and chatbots.

• Clinicians must assess if their clients are using chatbots and understand their impact.

• AI can create a false sense of companionship and validation for users.

• AI is a tool that should be used responsibly, especially in mental health contexts.

Connect with Dr. Don Grant

Email: drdej@gmail.com

LinkedIn

Website

In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde discusses the intersection of AI and psychology, emphasizing the importance of understanding AI's limitations and the irreplaceable aspects of human psychological expertise. He explores the therapeutic relationship, highlighting the differences between human and AI interactions, and introduces the WAYDE AI Three Questions Assessment to help psychologists building awareness and make informed decisions about AI development related to their practice. The conversation aims to foster clarity and agency among psychologists as they navigate the evolving landscape of AI in mental health care.

Key takeaways include:

• AI cannot replace the irreducible core of psychological expertise.

• A real therapeutic relationship is a mutual two-way process.

• AI treats you as an object to be optimized, not a subject to be understood.

• AI can simulate empathy, but it can't hold responsibility.

• Educating clients about AI vs human therapy is crucial.

• AI can help clinicians reduce administrative load.

• Emotional solipsism can arise from AI interactions.

• We need to talk about how to think about AI clearly.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• First Therapy Chatbot Trial Yields Mental Health Benefits | Dartmouth

• The Story of ELIZA: The AI That Fooled the World

• The Wayde AI Brief

Connect With Us

• https://www.waydeai.com/

• https://www.facebook.com/waydeai

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/

• info@waydeai.com