A starting point for mental health providers

Your clients are talking to AI about their anxiety, their relationships, their late-night spirals, often weeks before they ever mention it in session. You can be doubtful, intrigued, or somewhere in between about using AI for therapy but the reality is, it’s in the room with us. This guide pulls together the current research on how people are actually using these tools, what’s holding up under scrutiny and what isn’t, and a short set of questions you can apply to any AI product you come across.

In this report

  • How common AI use for mental health support already is among adults and teens, and why that changes what shows up in your intake conversations
  • What the clinical research actually supports, and the difference between tools that add value and tools that overreach
  • A four-part framework, covering evidence, ethics, clinical fit, and cultural bias, for sizing up any AI tool before you recommend or dismiss it
  • A simple way to start asking clients about their own AI use, without needing to have an opinion ready first

Download the report

About Ash Duncan LCSW, AASW, CFSW

Ash Duncan LCSW, AASW, CFSW is a licensed clinical social worker in Colorado with over 10 years of experience across nonprofits, community mental health, addiction treatment, and private practice. Her clinical work has centered patient experience, trauma-aware care, and advocacy in complex care environments, with focus on client populations with marginalized identities.
This article is not meant to be a replacement for medical advice. We recommend speaking with a therapist for personalized information about your mental health. If you don’t currently have a therapist, we can connect you with one who can offer support and address any questions or concerns. If you or your child is experiencing a medical emergency, is considering harming themselves or others, or is otherwise in imminent danger, you should dial 9-1-1 and/or go to the nearest emergency room.