LW2027 Artificial Intelligence or Artificial Intimacy? Risks, Ethics, and Clinical Impact for Mental Health Professionals with Lawrence Murphy

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping how individuals seek information, support, and connection—and mental health professionals are increasingly encountering its impact within clinical practice. From AI-assisted documentation tools to emotionally responsive chatbots marketed for mental health support, clinicians are now navigating technologies that simulate empathy, validation, and relational presence.

This training provides a clinically grounded exploration of artificial intelligence and its growing influence on therapeutic work. Participants will gain a clear and accessible understanding of what AI is—and what it is not—developing foundational literacy that supports critical evaluation of emerging tools rather than reliance on marketing claims or media narratives.

Ethical, Legal, and Professional Considerations

Building on this foundation, the training examines the ethical, legal, and professional implications of AI-enhanced tools in clinical settings. Topics include informed consent, data privacy and confidentiality, clinical judgment and over-reliance on automated systems, documentation integrity, and professional accountability. Participants will be supported in developing thoughtful decision-making frameworks to determine when and how AI tools may—or may not—be appropriate within their scope of practice.

AI in Clinical and Personal Practice

The training also addresses clinicians’ personal use of AI applications and the potential impact on boundaries, reflective capacity, and professional identity. Participants will be invited to consider how their own engagement with AI technologies may influence clinical presence, bias, and decision-making within therapeutic relationships.

Understanding Artificial Intimacy and Clinical Risk

A key focus of this workshop is the concept of artificial intimacy—the simulation of emotional attunement and relational responsiveness by AI systems. Special attention is given to the clinical risks associated with AI chatbots designed to provide emotional support or counselling-like interactions. Participants will explore how these tools may influence attachment dynamics, dependency, autonomy, and help-seeking behaviour, particularly for vulnerable clients.

Applying Clinical Judgment in an Evolving Landscape

Throughout the training, clinicians will be encouraged to apply ethical principles, professional standards, and clinical reasoning to real-world scenarios. Strategies for discussing AI use with clients, assessing potential risks, and responding therapeutically when AI involvement becomes clinically relevant will be emphasized.

By the end of this training, participants will be better equipped to engage with AI technologies in a critical, ethical, and clinically responsible manner—supporting both client welfare and professional integrity in an evolving digital landscape.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to —

• Explain the fundamentals of chatbot function and identify key limitations of AI systems in clinical contexts.
• Identify at least four ethical and clinical concerns related to the use of AI in mental health practice and strategies to address them.
• Describe potential risks associated with clinicians’ personal use of AI and its impact on professional boundaries and clinical judgment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ethical limitations of AI chatbots in the context of counselling and emotional support.
• Identify mechanisms through which AI systems may simulate attachment and relational responsiveness.
• Recognize risks that AI chatbots present to users, particularly in relation to vulnerability and dependency.
• Explain the relationship between chatbot behaviour and patterns of user engagement, including potential for dependency.

This training offers 3 hours of direct contact (not counting breaks or lunch). It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards/regulatory body to verify CE requirements for their license to practice.

Attendees of the original live broadcast receive instructions on how to obtain their Certificate of Participation at the end of the course and in the “recording ready” email, which is sent 1-2 days after the live course has ended.

Attendees watching the previously recorded/on-demand version must complete a Post-Webinar Quiz with a passing grade of at least 80% to verify their attendance and receive their Certificate of Participation.

Note: The course recording is available only after the live broadcast has ended.

The Certificate of Participation includes:

• Name of participant.
• Title of training.
• Name of presenter plus their credentials.
• Number of hours of training.
• Date of training.
• Confirmation of 100% attendance at the original live broadcast OR a passing grade of at least 80% on the recorded on-demand version post-course quiz.

Get details about CE credits for Canadian and non-US international participants.

Get details about CE credits for US participants.

Please check with your regulatory body/organization to ensure that this certificate is sufficient proof for you to claim CE credits.