AI Ethics in Clinical Mental Health Practice
Artificial intelligence tools are entering clinical mental health practice faster than the ethical frameworks for their use have been developed — creating real risks for clients, clinicians, and the profession. This 2-hour continuing education course examines the ethical dimensions of AI in mental health practice: informed consent and disclosure obligations when AI tools are used in clinical work, confidentiality and HIPAA implications of AI-assisted documentation and analysis, algorithmic bias and its disproportionate impact on marginalized populations, the boundary between AI support and AI replacement of clinical judgment, and the professional responsibility to evaluate AI tools critically rather than adopting them uncritically. Aligned with ACA ethics code provisions on technology and competence.
2
CE Hours
6
Modules
15
Quiz Questions
2
Est. Minutes
What you'll learn
- Identify five categories of AI application in mental health and describe the clinical and ethical implications of each.
- Explain how HIPAA applies to AI tools and identify the requirements for Business Associate Agreements.
- Analyze the mechanisms of algorithmic bias in healthcare AI and their implications for equitable practice.
- Apply informed consent standards to the use of AI tools in clinical settings.
- Evaluate large language model capabilities and limitations relevant to clinical practice.
- Develop a personal AI ethics framework aligned with NBCC ethical standards and social justice obligations.
Who it's for
Licensed mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners seeking guidance on the ethical use of artificial intelligence in clinical practice.
Approval & credit
CounselorReady is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP #7760). This course awards 2 NBCC-approved CE hours; a certificate is issued on completion. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CounselorReady is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.