Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology

In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Page Anderson, clinical psychologist, researcher, and associate professor at Georgia State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping mental health care, psychology training, and the future of therapy. Dr. Anderson shares her unexpected journey into digital mental health, from working in one of the earliest virtual reality exposure therapy companies to seeing firsthand how AI-powered assistive technology transformed her son’s independence and daily life. The conversation dives into the growing reality that people, especially younger generations, are already using AI tools for emotional support, mental health guidance, and therapy-like conversations, often before speaking to a clinician. The discussion explores the opportunities and risks of AI in psychology, including accessibility to support, the “validation problem” with chatbots, ethical concerns around privacy and data use, and the growing need for AI literacy among clinicians, students, and educators. Dr. Anderson also explains why psychologists must remain actively involved in shaping ethical standards, training, and policy around AI instead of avoiding the technology altogether. Throughout the episode, both guests emphasize that while AI may become a powerful assistive tool, human relationships, critical thinking, ethics, and clinical judgment remain essential to effective mental health care. Takeaways: AI Is Already Being Used for Mental Health Support by Millions of People. Psychologists Need to Engage With AI Instead of Ignoring It. AI Can Improve Accessibility and Reduce Barriers to Mental Health Support. Therapy and Chatting With AI Are Not the Same Thing. AI Literacy and Prompt Engineering Are Becoming Essential Skills for Clinicians. Human Judgment, Ethics, and Critical Thinking Still Matter Most in Mental Health Care. Connect with Dr. Page Anderson Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/page-anderson-ph-d-abpp-clinical-psychologist-associate-professor/ Georgia State University: https://psychology.gsu.edu/ Connect With Ushttps://www.waydeai.com/ https://www.facebook.com/waydeaillc https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/ info@waydeai.com Subscribe https://the-waydeai-brief.beehiiv.com/ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:40 - “I’m Not a Tech Person” (Origin Story) 04:40 - Personal Story: AI Changing Her Son’s Life 07:08 - Barriers to Traditional Therapy 09:25 - Do Psychologists Still Have a Role? 11:22 - Why Training Comes First 13:30 - The AI Training Gap in Education 17:50 - AI vs Real Therapy (Key Differences) 19:30 - Personalized Therapy Materials with AI 23:00 - Why Critical Thinking Matters Most 24:53 - Where Psychologists Should Start 29:01 - Final Advice for Clinicians 31:20 - Final Thoughts: Humans Train AI

In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Philip Held, a clinical psychologist and researcher focused on improving PTSD treatment outcomes through AI and accelerated therapy models. The conversation explores how Dr. Held’s team developed “Socrates 2.0,” a multi-agent AI system designed to support cognitive restructuring through Socratic dialogue alongside evidence-based therapy.Dr. Held explains how the system uses multiple AI agents to supervise and improve therapeutic conversations in real time, reducing looping behaviors and improving the quality of AI-assisted interactions. The discussion highlights how veterans are using AI as a practice space before therapy sessions, how clinicians are beginning to use these tools for supervision and training, and why validation, safety testing, and clear guardrails are critical as AI becomes more integrated into mental health care.The episode also explores the future of AI-assisted clinician training, ethical considerations around validation standards, and why curiosity and responsible experimentation are essential as psychology adapts to rapidly advancing technologies.Takeaways:Multi-Agent AI Can Improve the Quality of Therapeutic Conversations.AI Tools Can Help Veterans Practice Difficult Conversations Before Therapy Sessions.Validation, Safety Testing, and Guardrails Are Essential for Mental Health AI Tools.AI Is Best Used as a Support Tool Rather Than a Replacement for Clinicians.Clinicians Are Beginning to Use AI for Supervision, Roleplay, and Skill Development.Connect with Dr. Philip HeldLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-held-phd/Website: https://roadhomeprogram.org/Connect With Ushttps://www.waydeai.com/https://www.facebook.com/waydeaihttps://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/info@waydeai.comSubcribehttps://the-waydeai-brief.beehiiv.com/Chapters:00:00 - Intro02:24 - Dr. Philip Held’s journey into AI and psychology05:58 - How Socratic dialogue works inside the AI tool08:24 - Multi-agent AI supervision inspired by clinical training10:05 - What success looks like for Socrates 2.011:30 - The challenge of measuring “good enough” in AI therapy14:48 - How AI is changing traditional therapy methods17:00 - How veterans responded to using the AI tool19:33 - Why validating AI mental health tools matters23:02 - What responsibilities still belong to clinicians25:40 - Clinicians’ reactions to AI-assisted therapy tools27:33 - Future AI applications for clinician training and supervision30:28 - The need for AI benchmarks, boundaries, and guardrails34:36 - What “validation” really means in AI mental health35:45 - Dr. Philip Held’s advice on staying curious about AI

In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Shannon Wiltsey Stirman, a professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford and co-director of the Center for Responsible and Effective AI Technology Enhancement for PTSD treatment (CREATE), discusses how large language models can support evidence-based mental health interventions, and can also be used to assist in training therapists through the use of simulated patients. Dr. Wiltsey Stirman notes that while AI can be a powerful tool for tasks like clinical scribing and reflection, it should supplement rather than replace human therapists, especially regarding complex diagnoses and high-risk scenarios. She highlights the necessity of AI literacy, urging therapists and organizations to prioritize transparency, privacy, and responsible implementation. Takeaways: AI Should Supplement, Not Replace Human Therapists Simulated Patients Offer Safe Practice for Clinicians AI Diagnostics and High-Risk Treatment Require Firm Boundaries Organizations Must Prioritize Transparency and Privacy Therapists Need to Increase Their AI Literacy Connect with Dr. Shannon Wiltsey Stirman Email: sws1@stanford.edu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-wiltsey-stirman-3874056/ https://med.stanford.edu/fastlab.html https://create.stanford.edu/contact https://create.stanford.edu/contact Connect With Us https://www.waydeai.com/ https://www.facebook.com/waydeai https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/ info@waydeai.com Subcribe https://the-waydeai-brief.beehiiv.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:35 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:15 Dr. Shannon Wiltsey Stirman Origin Story 04:54 Realistic AI Capabilities in Therapy Today 07:00 Meaningful AI Implementation in Evidence-Based Care 09:34 What People Get Wrong About AI Tools 12:57 Boundaries Between AI and Human Therapists 15:46 Safe AI Boundaries for Therapists 19:01 Organizational Implementation and Transparency 21:27 The CREATE Center at Stanford 25:06 Closing Advice and Where to Find Her

In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Joanna Bryson, professor of Ethics and Technology in Berlin and advisor to organizations including the UN and EU, about what “AI ethics” really means. Dr. Bryson argues it’s not coherent to call AI itself ethical. She argues that the primary concern should be whether and how humans should build and deploy AI and how it may change societies. Dr. Bryson highlights recurring concerns like bias, but stresses broader failures around accountability, surveillance, deception, and weaponization, urging users to maintain agency, verify outputs, protect data, and avoid trusting AI. Takeaways: AI Itself Is Not Ethical—Humans Are Responsible Bias Is a Major Concern—but Not the Only One Accountability Must Start With Development The Information Age Demands Critical Thinking Learning and Adaptation Are Essential Connect with Dr. Joanna Bryson bryson@hertie-school.org https://www.hertie-school.org/en/who-we-are/profile/person/bryson Connect With Us https://www.waydeai.com/ https://www.facebook.com/waydeai https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/ info@waydeai.com Subcribe https://the-waydeai-brief.beehiiv.com/ Chapters: 00:00 What Is AI Ethics 00:23 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:06 Dr. Joanna Bryson Origin Story 05:38 From AI Research to Ethics 07:08 Ethical AI Misconceptions 09:02 Policy Failures and Liability 10:57 Beyond Bias Surveillance Risks 12:30 Everyday User Responsibility 15:23 AI and Mental Health Use 16:46 EU Rules and Bot Disclosure 17:51 Scams Surveillance and Freedom 20:30 Closing Advice and Where to Find Her

In this episode of Beyond the Couch, host Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Ashleigh Golden, a Stanford trained clinical psychologist and co-founder of WayHaven, to explore the transformative role of conversational AI in student wellness.Dr. Golden and Dr. Wayde discuss the upstream model of care: using AI not as a replacement for therapy, but as a proactive tool to help students build social emotional skills and navigate campus resources before they reach a clinical crisis. Dr. Golden emphasizes that while technology is evolving rapidly, the clinician must remain in the driver’s seat, using these tools to supplement evidence-based treatment and bridge the action implementation gap between sessions.TakeawaysWayhaven serves as a well-being coach for college students, addressing everyday challenges.AI tools like Wayhaven are not substitutes for clinical services but provide proactive support.Transparency about AI's capabilities and limitations is crucial for users.Clinicians must remain involved in the development of AI tools to ensure ethical use.Banning AI in mental health is not the solution; better safeguards are needed.Understanding the risks associated with AI usage is essential for clinicians.Collaboration between clinicians and AI developers can enhance mental health support.Connect With Dr. Ashleigh Goldenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-golden/https://www.wayhaven.com/Connect With Ushttps://www.waydeai.com/https://www.facebook.com/waydeaihttps://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/info@waydeai.comSubcribehttps://the-waydeai-brief.beehiiv.com/

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 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

What happens when AI can write a psychological report in under two minutes — and licensed psychologists take hours? In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde talks with Dr. Adam Lockwood about the disruptive role of AI in psychological report writing.They explore how AI compares to human-written reports, where clinicians see value and risks, and what this means for the future of psychology.Key Takeaways:AI-generated reports can match human quality in many areas — and sometimes surpass them in recommendations.Clinicians still prefer human summaries, but effect size differences were often small.Automation bias and loss of clinical skills remain real risks if AI is used uncritically.Bias in AI output reflects societal inequities, making vigilance essential.Responsible adoption requires safeguards like HIPAA-compliant agreements and human oversight.For more of Dr. Lockwood’s insights and commentary on emerging AI research in psychology, visit his blog at LockwoodConsulting.net

In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. Dylan Ross discuss the integration of AI in psychology and clinical practice. They explore how AI is transforming treatment planning, the role of AI scribes in reducing clinician workload, and the future of AI in mental health. Dr. Ross emphasizes the importance of psychologists in the development of AI tools to ensure quality and safety in mental health care. The conversation also highlights the need for clinicians to engage with technology and find communities that support their professional growth in this evolving landscape. Takeaways include: • Treatment planning is evolving with AI integration. • AI scribes can significantly reduce documentation time. • AI tools can enhance clinician efficiency and focus on care. • The future of psychology will involve more technology integration. • Psychologists must be involved in AI tool development. • AI won't replace clinicians but will augment their roles. 

Welcome to the Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology Podcast!In this inaugural episode of 'Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology', Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. Jeni McCutcheon explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and psychology. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI in mental health practices, the ethical considerations surrounding its use, and the potential future of AI in the field.Dr. McCutcheon shares her journey of integrating AI into her clinical practice, highlighting both the benefits and challenges. The conversation emphasizes the importance of ethical practices, transparency, and the collaborative potential of AI in enhancing psychological services.Takeaways include:• AI is transforming the landscape of psychology and mental health.• AI can enhance efficiency in clinical practice, saving time and improving outcomes.• Ethical considerations are paramount when using AI in therapy.• Transparency with clients about AI use is essential for ethical practice.• The future of psychology will increasingly involve AI as a tool for clinicians.To learn more aboutDr. Jeni McCutcheon, visit her website at www.drjeni.org or on her LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeni-mccutcheon-psy-d-m-s-c-p-abpp-58b7509/