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Will AI actually replace therapists, or expose the difference between transactional care and a real human connection? How can therapy be enhanced by AI? If AI can handle the admin and skill-building, what does that free you up to become as a therapist?
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok discusses whether AI will replace therapy with the CEO of Wysa, Jo Aggarwal.
Podcast Sponsor: Alma
As a clinician, you probably chose this field because you wanted to support people in navigating challenges and finding personal growth. But many mental health care providers end up spending almost as much time on billing, insurance, and other documentation as you do in sessions with clients.
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Learn more about how Alma could support you in building a thriving private practice at helloalma.com/joe.
Meet Jo Aggarwal
In This Podcast
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“Will AI put me out of a job?”
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How is therapy enhanced by incorporating AI?
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Navigating the ethics of data and therapy
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Jo’s advice to private practitioners
“Will AI put me out of a job?”
If people could heal themselves with technology, only, then we wouldn’t be facing the mental health crisis that we have. (Jo Aggarwal)
People are losing connection with other human beings, and no technology can replace genuine human connection.
For Jo, AI is a tool that can help people, especially therapists, become better at the work that only they can do for their communities.
I do think that most therapists will see AI both as something that pushes them to be better at what they do. I think good therapists will be more in demand. Therapists who are not as good today may become better therapists because of AI … and those who are sort of coasting may be replaced by AI, but then, if you are being replaced by AI, you really need to think whether you are in the right profession. (Jo Aggarwal)
If people only wanted information, they might not seek out an in-person or virtual therapist.
However, it is often much more than just the tool – the healing that occurs within therapy runs deep within the human connection, and that cannot be replaced by technology.
How is therapy enhanced by incorporating AI?
AIs like LLMs, large language models, have really grown and come into their own over the last ten years, particularly over the last three.
From this AI boom, new tools have come into fruition that can really help therapists do their best work. Some of these include:
- Scribing tools
That is the one thing: you finish a session, and you have to get into another session, and you want to take that time for yourself, you don’t want to spend it documenting, and so on and so forth. (Jo Aggarwal)
- Intake forms
- Checking in with clients between sessions by helping them to create their micro-narratives, based on the notes taken from previous sessions
- Creating psychoeducation material for clients who seek extra homework outside of the therapy room
What you choose to do with [AI] … it’s a power, and what you choose to do with it is what matters. If it can get [clients] to build skills in therapeutic techniques … not just in treatment and diagnosis, but skilling people, then there’s a large role that AI plays in helping people have that place to practice. (Jo Aggarwal)
Navigating the ethics of data and therapy
As Jo explains, the biggest concern about using general-purpose AI in therapy is not whether they will store the data.
For example, there are subscriptions that you can sign up for that do not use or store your data, or you can install settings that delete your data after 24 hours.
However, the problem with general-purpose AI is that it is precisely that: general-purpose. It has not been designed with intention.
Whereas with Wysa, and Jo’s example of Google Maps, these are AI-based technologies that were created with a specific goal, need, or intention in mind.
I think the biggest danger of any technology that we use is, “What’s driving it? What is big business being incentivized on?” And if they’re being incentivized to keep you engaged, then it’s going to be the cause of sending patients to the therapist. (Jo Aggarwal)
Apart from the good side, the one aspect about AI that scares Jo is humanity’s inability to use it responsibly, both those who create some of the platforms and those who use them.
Jo’s advice to private practitioners
You are in charge, and you are not under threat! Some companies will make you feel threatened to capture your attention.
Out there, there are many companies and tech founders who believe and work in pursuit of a safe, healthy, and productive world where AI and therapy are in balance and work as a team for humanity’s benefit.
Sponsors Mentioned in this Episode:
Learn more about how Alma could support you in building a thriving private practice at helloalma.com/joe.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
Visit Wysa and connect on LinkedIn.
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Check out these additional resources:
- What You Don’t Know About Leadership with Dr. Michelle Perry | POP 1361
- Practice of the Practice Network
- Group Practice Launch
- Group Practice Boss: www.practiceofthepractice.com/grouppracticeboss $149 a month
- PoP Group Practice Owners Facebook Group
- Free resources to help you start, grow, and scale
- Work with us
- Practice of the Practice Network
Meet Joe Sanok
Joe Sanok helps counselors to create thriving practices that are the envy of other counselors. He has helped counselors to grow their businesses by 50-500% and is proud of all the private practice owners who are growing their income, influence, and impact on the world. Click here to explore consulting with Joe.
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