Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health Professionals

Publication Date: April 2025

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Earn Continuing Education from Leading Providers

AI in Psychological Practice:
A Primer for Mental Health Professionals

On-Demand Webinar (1.5 credits)

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Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health Professionals

Book-based course (16 credits)

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Text- and audio-based courses

AI in Psychological Practice: A Primer for Mental Health Professionals

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AI in Clinical Practice: Applications in Counseling, and Health Psychology

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Ethics of AI in Mental Health: Navigating Regulation, Privacy, and Bias

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Earn Self-Study CE Credit in California, Texas, Illinois, and More

This peer-reviewed book may be eligible for continuing education (CE) credit through self-directed reading in several U.S. states.

Reading Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health Professionals may count toward CE requirements in states that recognize independent study of peer-reviewed professional publications.

States that currently allow this type of CE credit include:

✅ California – Up to 18 hours of self-study CE allowed
✅ Texas – Up to 50% of CE can come from self-study
✅ Illinois – Self-study books count under “Category II” (50% limit)
✅ Ohio – Allows up to 20 hours of self-directed CE
✅ Minnesota – Permits relevant independent learning for CE

Guidance to Check Eligibility

To support your documentation, we’ve created a downloadable CE Packet that includes:

  • Peer reviewer credentials
  • Clear learning objectives
  • 10-question self-assessment quiz
  • Fillable Certificate of Completion
  • Fillable CE Documentation Form
Download the CE Documentation

This self-study resource is intended for professionals in states that recognize CE credit from peer-reviewed educational materials. Please verify eligibility with your licensing board.

Guidance to confirm self-study CE credit with your licensing board

How to Verify CE Eligibility with Your California Licensing Board

If you are licensed in California and wish to confirm whether this self-study activity qualifies for continuing education (CE) credit, follow the steps below.

Important note: California permits licensee-claimed self-study CE. This downloadable CE packet is designed to meet typical California audit documentation requirements for self-directed learning.

Step 1: Identify your licensing board

  • Psychologists → California Board of Psychology (BOP)
  • LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs → California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)

Step 2: Review CE rules for “Self-Study” or “Independent Learning”

Both boards allow licensees to claim CE credit for self-directed or independent learning when the activity is:

  • Relevant to professional practice
  • Properly documented

This activity is structured specifically to support those requirements.

Step 3: Optional — Contact the board for confirmation (if desired)

Most clinicians do not need to contact their board in advance. However, if you would like written confirmation for personal assurance, you may contact your licensing board by email or phone.

Below is a sample email you may use:

Step 4: Retain documentation

Licensees should retain the completed CE packet, quiz, and certificate of completion for at least one full license renewal cycle, in case of audit.

Final note: Determination of CE eligibility ultimately rests with the individual licensee and the applicable California licensing board.

How to Verify CE Eligibility with Your New York Licensing Board

If you are licensed in New York and wish to confirm whether this self-study activity qualifies for continuing education (CE) credit, follow the steps below.

Important note: New York permits self-instructional / independent study CE for certain license types when the activity is relevant to professional practice and properly documented. This downloadable CE packet is designed to support those documentation requirements.

Step 1: Identify your licensing authority

In New York, mental health professional licensure and CE requirements are overseen by the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions (NYSED). This applies to psychologists, LMFTs, LCSWs, LMHCs, and related professions.

Each profession may have specific limits on the number of self-instructional hours allowed per renewal cycle.

Step 2: Review CE rules for “Self-Instructional” or “Independent Study”

New York allows licensees to count self-instructional CE activities, provided that:

  • The content is directly related to professional practice
  • Learning objectives are clearly defined
  • Completion is documented and retained for audit purposes

This activity is structured to align with those expectations.

Step 3: Optional — Confirm with NYSED (if desired)

Most clinicians do not need to seek pre-approval for self-instructional CE activities. However, if you would like written confirmation for personal assurance, you may contact NYSED’s Office of the Professions.

Below is a sample email you may use:

Step 4: Retain documentation

Licensees should retain the completed CE packet, quiz, and certificate of completion for at least one full license renewal cycle, in case of audit by NYSED.

Final note: Final determination of CE eligibility rests with the New York State Education Department and the individual licensee.

How to Verify CE Eligibility with Your Texas Licensing Board

If you are licensed in Texas and wish to confirm whether this self-study activity qualifies for continuing education (CE) credit, follow the steps below.

Important note: Texas permits self-study / independent CE for certain license types when the activity is relevant to professional practice and properly documented. This downloadable CE packet is designed to support typical Texas audit documentation requirements.

Step 1: Identify your licensing board

  • Psychologists → :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
  • LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCs, Licensed Psychologists (non-PhD) → :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} (BHEC)

Step 2: Review CE rules for “Self-Study” or “Independent Learning”

Texas allows licensees to claim CE credit for self-directed or independent learning when the activity:

  • Is directly related to professional counseling, psychology, ethics, or clinical practice
  • Includes defined learning objectives
  • Is documented and retained for audit purposes

This activity is structured specifically to support those requirements.

Step 3: Optional — Contact the board for confirmation (if desired)

Most clinicians do not need to contact their board in advance for self-study CE. However, if you would like written confirmation for personal assurance, you may contact your licensing board by email or phone.

Below is a sample email you may use:

Step 4: Retain documentation

Licensees should retain the completed CE packet, quiz, and certificate of completion for at least one full license renewal cycle, in case of audit.

Final note: Determination of CE eligibility ultimately rests with the individual licensee and the applicable Texas licensing board.

How to Verify CE Eligibility with Your Ohio Licensing Board

If you are licensed in Ohio and wish to confirm whether this self-study activity qualifies for continuing education (CE) credit, follow the steps below.

Important note: Ohio permits licensee-claimed self-study / independent CE for certain license types when the activity is relevant to professional practice and properly documented. This downloadable CE packet is designed to support typical Ohio audit documentation requirements.

Step 1: Identify your licensing board

  • Psychologists → Ohio State Board of Psychology
  • LPCCs, LPCs, LSWs, LISWs, IMFTs, MFTs → Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board

Step 2: Review CE rules for “Self-Study” or “Independent Learning”

Ohio allows licensees to claim CE credit for self-directed or independent learning when the activity:

  • Is directly related to professional counseling, psychology, ethics, or clinical practice
  • Includes clearly defined learning objectives
  • Is properly documented and retained for audit purposes

This activity is structured specifically to support those requirements.

Step 3: Optional — Contact the board for confirmation (if desired)

Most clinicians do not need to contact their board in advance for self-study CE. However, if you would like written confirmation for personal assurance, you may contact your licensing board by email or phone.

Below is a sample email you may use:

Step 4: Retain documentation

Licensees should retain the completed CE packet, quiz, and certificate of completion for at least one full license renewal cycle, in case of audit.

Final note: Determination of CE eligibility ultimately rests with the individual licensee and the applicable Ohio licensing board.

How to Verify CE Eligibility with Your Minnesota Licensing Board

If you are licensed in Minnesota and wish to confirm whether this self-study activity qualifies for continuing education (CE) credit, follow the steps below.

Important note: Minnesota permits licensee-claimed self-study / independent learning CE for certain license types when the activity is relevant to professional practice and properly documented. This downloadable CE packet is designed to support typical Minnesota audit documentation requirements.

Step 1: Identify your licensing board

  • Psychologists → :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
  • LMFTs, LGSWs, LISWs, LPCCs, LICSWs → :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Step 2: Review CE rules for “Self-Study” or “Independent Learning”

Minnesota allows licensees to claim CE credit for self-directed or independent learning when the activity:

  • Is directly related to professional counseling, psychology, ethics, or clinical practice
  • Includes clearly defined learning objectives
  • Is documented and retained for audit purposes

This activity is structured specifically to support those requirements.

Step 3: Optional — Contact the board for confirmation (if desired)

Most clinicians do not need to contact their board in advance for self-study CE. However, if you would like written confirmation for personal assurance, you may contact your licensing board by email or phone.

Below is a sample email you may use:

Step 4: Retain documentation

Licensees should retain the completed CE packet, quiz, and certificate of completion for at least one full license renewal cycle, in case of audit.

Final note: Determination of CE eligibility ultimately rests with the individual licensee and the applicable Minnesota licensing board.

Not Sure What AI Means for Your Psychological Practice?
Start Here.

Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health Professionals offers a clear, clinician-focused introduction to what AI is—and what it isn’t. As AI-powered tools show up in everything from therapy apps to clinical documentation, mental health professionals are being asked to weigh in on technologies they were never trained to assess. This book is your first stop for cutting through the noise, making sense of unfamiliar terminology, and focusing on what matters most: your clients, your practice, and your ethics.

Grounded in real-world examples and written for professionals across the spectrum of mental health and psychological care, this book provides a practical roadmap for understanding and engaging with AI in clinical and professional settings. It starts with a plain-language overview of how AI and data work, then explores current uses across seven core psychology roles: clinical, counseling, forensic, health, educational, industrial-organizational, and research. It also addresses the ethical, regulatory, and cultural challenges that come with AI adoption. The final chapter looks ahead with ten near-term examples of how AI may shape the future of psychological practice.

AI is like a bright psychology trainee. It can recognize patterns, propose ideas, and even draft convincing reports. But it lacks empathy, ethics, and contextual understanding. Like any student, it needs supervision, thoughtful oversight, and ethical grounding. This book helps mental health professionals approach AI as a collaborator—one that supports care but never replaces the clinician’s judgment or values.

Written by a licensed psychologist, a technologist, and an AI innovator in AI-powered mental health tools, Artificial Intelligence in Psychological Practice offers answers to questions like:

  • What is AI—really—beyond the hype, headlines, and complexity?
  • How do AI systems learn, and why does that matter for psychological care?
  • Why is data quality critical, and how can professionals ensure AI is trained responsibly?
  • Where is AI already used in psychological practice?
  • What ethical, regulatory, and bias-related challenges should practitioners expect, and how can they respond wisely?

This book gives you the clarity to engage with AI today and insights to help guide where it goes next.

  • Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Chapter 2: Demystifying AI: Core Principles for Psychology
  • Chapter 3: The Role of Data in AI for Psychology
  • Chapter 4: AI for Counseling & Clinical Psychologists
  • Chapter 5: AI for Forensic Psychologists
  • Chapter 6: AI for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
  • Chapter 7: AI for School & Educational Psychologists
  • Chapter 8: AI for Health Psychologists
  • Chapter 9: AI for Research & Experimental Psychologists
  • Chapter 10: Navigating Regulation, Privacy, Bias, and Ethics
  • Chapter 11: Frameworks for Evaluating AI Tools in Practice
  • Chapter 12: What’s Next
  • Chapter 13: A Few Last Comments

“Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health Professionals is an accessible and timely guide that thoughtfully bridges the gap between rapidly evolving AI technologies and the relational, human-centered nature of therapeutic practice. The authors explain complex technological concepts with clarity, making the material approachable and relevant for clinicians without technical backgrounds.

A particular strength of the book is its balanced perspective. The authors do not just highlight how AI can streamline administrative tasks—such as saving time on documentation or expanding client reach—but also thoughtfully address crucial ethical considerations. These include potential risks and, most importantly, the irreplaceable value of the human connection in therapy. This balance ensures that readers remain grounded in the core values of mental health care while exploring new technological possibilities.

In addition to the points highlighted in my review, Chapters Two and Eleven are especially noteworthy. Chapter Two effectively demystifies complex AI terminology, presenting it in language that is both accessible and meaningful to mental health professionals. This chapter reduces uncertainty by helping clinicians understand how AI can complement, rather than replace, their expertise. It also sets realistic expectations by clarifying the limitations of current AI capabilities, encouraging informed, cautious, yet open-minded engagement with these tools.

Similarly, Chapter Eleven offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating AI tools, addressing not only technical performance but also ethical, cultural, and clinical factors. The chapter emphasizes that AI should serve to enhance the therapist’s role and preserve the therapeutic alliance, which remains central to effective care.

Overall, this book provides a thoughtful, realistic, and hopeful roadmap for integrating AI into mental health practice without compromising care quality. It is a great starting point for mental health professionals who are curious about implementing AI in psychological practice. As a mental health professional, it left me feeling hopeful that when used right, tech can actually enhance the work we do, not take away from it.”

  • Peer-Reviewer

“I am an older therapist and resist even the idea of Al, but my younger interns are interested in the topic. Al is coming to mental health spaces whether we like it or not, so we need to be informed. This book is urgently needed to educate our field- not only of the benefits of Al, but also the restrictions, and the legal and ethical considerations we need to make as clinicians, I feel so much more well-informed on the topic, and better equipped to assess and make choices, both in the Al that I might use, and also what I might recommend (or not) clients.”

  • Peer-Reviewer

“[R]ecognizing that AI is quickly becoming widespread in general and is even being imbedded in applications we already use on a regular basis that previously did not have AI capacities, the reality is that mental health professionals will need to understand the legal and ethical issues around using Al and the present and future clinical implications of using AL Furthermore, clients and patients may be utilizing AI mental health programs on their own and mental health professionals would benefit from being aware of this, understanding the ramifications, and ultimately being able to engage with their patients around the topic of Al.”

  • Peer-Reviewer

AI is not just transforming mental health—it is redefining the role of psychologists in the digital age. As technology reshapes how we provide assessment, diagnosis, and engagement with clients (and each other), we must take an active role in guiding its integration (via advocacy, policymaking, and oversight). Psychologists should be part of the team of professionals who contribute to the future pathways of AI.  Beyond ethical and regulatory concerns, AI challenges us to reimagine therapeutic relationships (with clients, colleagues, and systems), clinical decision-making, and the future of professional practice. This book provides the insights and strategies psychologists need to harness AI responsibly ensuring we lead with expertise, uphold the integrity of our field, and maximize AI’s potential to enhance delivery of cutting-edge quality of care. Chapter 4 outlines an incredible wealth of knowledge of the utilization of AI in clinical practice and Chapter 10 provides the necessary ethical considerations for the appropriate integration of AI into practice.  This book will have an ineffable impact in our field, and I highly recommend it.

— Joshua Heitzmann, PhD, 2025 President of the California Psychological Association

This book strikes the right balance: it welcomes AI into the therapy room as a helpful tool, while firmly keeping the therapist—and the therapeutic relationship—at the center of the work.

— Luis Maimoni, MS, LMFT

As AI integrates into mental health care, psychologists must stay informed to protect the integrity of our profession. AI models, if left unchecked, can reinforce systemic biases and misinterpret cultural nuances, leading to misdiagnoses and treatment inequities. Understanding AI’s ethical and regulatory challenges is no longer optional—it’s essential. This book equips psychologists with the knowledge to engage AI responsibly and advocate for its ethical use in therapy and assessment.

— Dr. Rivka Edery, Psy.D., L.C.S.W.

AI is no longer an emerging concept; it is becoming part of the infrastructure of healthcare. In fields like psychology, where empathy, ethics, and context are essential, we need professionals who understand how AI works, where it fits, and when it does not. This book is an important step toward building that understanding.

— Timothy Chou, PhD, and CEO of BevelCloud.ai

Creativity is about forming connections between experiences, memories, and ideas, transforming them into novel insights through imagination. As an expressive arts therapist, I see AI as a tool that enhances this process, opening new pathways for exploration and self-expression. To harness AI’s full potential in therapy, mental health professionals would do well to understand its role and ethical integration. This book provides essential guidance, ensuring AI becomes a powerful ally in therapeutic practice.

— Lindsey Sherwin, M.Sc., RDT, EXAT

AI is rapidly reshaping psychology, and those who fail to engage with it risk falling behind. As mental health professionals, we must evolve alongside technology to remain relevant and effective. Clients will increasingly expect AI-assisted tools in therapy, and research institutions are already integrating AI-driven methodologies. This book is a must-read for clinicians who want to stay competitive and lead the future of mental health, rather than struggle to keep up.

— Anna-Christina Jackson, MBACP MNCS (Accred)

Brenda Hart, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California. She is co-founder of Relationship Fitness for Men, which provides AI-powered tools and content to help men, and those who love them, improve their intimate relationships. She has owned a private practice specializing in psychotherapy, assessments, and forensic evaluations and has served as adjunct faculty at JFK University. Featured nationally on Advancements with Ted Danson, she discussed relationship challenges addressed through AI. Dr. Hart holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.

Vince Vasquez, MS, MBA, is the co-founder of Relationship Fitness for Men, author of Relationship Workout: The Men’s Manual, and host of the Relationship Workout for Men podcast—dedicated to helping men and their partners build stronger intimate relationships. He holds a provisional patent as inventor of an AI-powered Relationship Self-Care Platform and was featured nationally on Advancements with Ted Danson for his pioneering work in using AI to support relationships. Mr. Vasquez holds an MBA from Stanford University, an MS in Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and a BS in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from UC Berkeley.

Antonio Diego Vasquez is an AI developer and co-inventor of an AI-powered Relationship Self-Care Platform. He led the development of the AI Relationship Coach featured in Relationship Fitness for Men and has been nationally recognized for his contributions to advancing AI in relationship well-being.

Resources available for CE credits:

AI in Psychological Practice: A Brief Primer featured Spring 2025 edition of California Psychology Association Magazine: The California Psychologist

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