AI and Mental Health: What Therapists Need to Know Right Now with Kym Tolson

AI and Mental Health: What Therapists Need to Know Right Now with Kym Tolson

Get the free 1.25 CE training in partnership with Berries Academy.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now and for therapists, that can bring up a mix of curiosity, concern, and even fear.

Will AI replace therapists?

Is it ethical?

Is it HIPAA compliant?

Can it actually reduce burnout?

🫐Sponsored by Berries: Use code TherapyShow50 for $50 off your first month - CLICK HERE.🫐

In this episode of The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard, I welcomed back Kym Tolson, licensed clinical social worker, host of multiple podcasts, and clinical consultant for product development at Berries, to talk about the real-world impact of AI in mental health practice.

This conversation is a must-listen for any therapist who wants to stay informed and future-ready.

Will AI Replace Therapists?

This is one of the biggest questions therapists are asking right now.

Kym and I had an honest conversation about this.

The short answer?

AI is not replacing therapy, but it is changing the field.

AI may become more effective at delivering structured psychoeducation, CBT skills, worksheets, and other standardized interventions.

In fact, Kym referenced emerging research suggesting that AI-delivered CBT interventions may sometimes be perceived as highly effective by users.

But what AI cannot replace is the therapeutic relationship.

The human connection.

The relational attunement.

The ability to read the room.

To notice body language.

To sit with silence.

To co-regulate.

To respond to nuance and emotion in real time.

This is where therapists continue to bring irreplaceable value.

How AI Can Help Reduce Therapist Burnout

One of the most exciting parts of this conversation was talking about how AI can reduce burnout for clinicians.

Let’s be honest — therapists carry an enormous cognitive load.

We’re holding clinical details, treatment goals, risk assessment concerns, session themes, documentation requirements, and follow-up tasks all at once.

AI tools can help reduce that load by supporting:

  • progress notes

  • treatment planning

  • documentation summaries

  • PCP letters

  • admin tasks

  • blog writing

  • email templates

  • content creation

  • workflow automation

Kym shared how AI can help therapists stay more fully present in session because they are no longer mentally splitting their attention between the client and the future note they’ll need to write.

That alone can be a huge relief.

The Ethics, HIPAA, and Privacy Questions Therapists Are Asking

Another major part of our conversation focused on trust and privacy.

This is often where therapists understandably feel hesitant.

The good news is that HIPAA-compliant tools like Berries are built specifically for mental health professionals and include safeguards such as:

  • secure storage

  • HIPAA compliance

  • SOC 2 security standards

  • controlled retention settings

  • privacy protections

This is very different from using general AI platforms without appropriate settings or safeguards.

That distinction is incredibly important.

Kym also emphasized the need for therapists to always maintain clinical oversight.

AI can support your work.

It should never replace your judgment.

Where Therapists Should Start with AI

If you’re new to AI, it can feel overwhelming.

Kym’s advice was simple:

Start with your biggest time drain.

Ask yourself:

  • What task is taking the most time each week?

  • What repetitive task am I doing over and over?

  • What is contributing most to my burnout?

For many therapists, that answer is documentation.

For others, it may be:

  • email responses

  • social media

  • newsletters

  • video editing

  • marketing tasks

Once you identify the biggest time suck, you can begin exploring an AI tool that supports that specific workflow.

Why Therapists Need to Pay Attention Now

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that AI is not something therapists can afford to ignore.

The field is changing quickly.

Clients are increasingly using AI for information, education, and even mental health guidance.

That doesn’t mean therapy is going away.

But it does mean therapists need to think proactively about:

  • how they practice

  • how they market

  • how they scale

  • how they differentiate their work

As Kym said so powerfully:

AI may not replace therapists, but it may replace therapists who refuse to adapt.

That’s a message worth paying attention to.

Free CE Training for Therapists

Kym created an incredible free 1.25 CE training in partnership with Berries Academy, and I’m honored to serve as the course administrator through Mustard Consulting.

The four-part training covers:

  • AI essentials for mental health professionals

  • HIPAA, ethics, and boundaries

  • practical AI applications in practice

  • a live case study using Berries

Whether you want CE credit or simply want to better understand AI in mental health, this training is a fantastic resource.

Final Thoughts

This conversation with Kym was eye-opening, practical, and incredibly relevant for today’s mental health professionals.

AI is not something to fear.

It’s something to understand.

Used thoughtfully, it can help therapists reduce burnout, improve workflows, and stay present with clients.

Listen to the full episode of The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard and check out the free CE training.

Other Resources:

FREE CE course! Earn 1.25 continuing education contact hours. The Promise of AI for Mental Health Professionals is available now.

8 Things Every Therapist Should Know About Family Estrangement with Karl Melvin: This 1.5-hour NBCC-approved course gives you a structured, practical framework to confidently assess, conceptualize, and support clients experiencing estrangement without oversimplifying or pathologizing the experience.

🤖 Free CE ChatGPT Tool: CE Course Builder for Mental Health Clinicians If you’re curious about teaching or continuing education but aren’t ready to commit to creating a full course, this free tool is designed to help you explore ideas, clarify learning objectives, and think like an educator, without pressure or obligation.

Need CE contact hours? Explore my NBCC-Approved Podcourses & CE Courses

Get my Coping with Political Stress Workbook that's Canva Editable For Clinicians, Coaches & Educators

Therapist Conversation Framework: Politics in SessionA printable PDF with 97 questions to navigate political talk in therapy - without taking sides.

Solution-Focused Therapy Guide 72 questions + prompts to help adult clients clarify goals and move forward using SFT.

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The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with your own healthcare provider regarding any personal health or medical conditions.