Podcast Summary: Abundant Practice Podcast

Episode #736: What You Can Use AI For In Private Practice

Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Kim Wheeler
Date: February 28, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode tackles one of the most current concerns in private practice: the ethical and practical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools—particularly for note-taking, summarizing, and admin tasks. A listener question prompts Allison and Kim to explore the benefits, risks, and ethical obligations of integrating AI into therapy practices while reflecting on client trust, confidentiality, and practical workflow issues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mixed Feelings on AI in Private Practice (02:17)

• Kim's position:

  • She uses AI for some admin tasks, such as drafting canned responses, but feels conflicted about its environmental impact.
  • AI's usefulness is particularly clear for therapists who fall behind on notes or need help staying organized.
  • Templates and auto-generated notes can be a game-changer for neurodivergent therapists.

  “I have to do full disclosure that I do use AI to draft up my canned responses to stuff, so I definitely use that for admin tasks here and there. But I’m also really, I feel really guilty about the water usage...” — Kim (02:19)

• Concerns:

  • Discomfort with AI note-takers that actually “listen in” during client sessions, raising issues about privacy and the true destination of data.
  • Emphasizes the distinction between recording sessions for personal use (with appropriate consent) versus using live AI-assisted note-taking.

  “...at some times will a client actually understand if they’re being recorded, that this isn't just your personal reporting? ...Where is that going? Do you actually own that?” — Kim (03:47)

2. Ethical Considerations & Best Practices (05:01)

• Allison’s stance:

  • Recommends thorough ethical education, referencing a “really good AI ethics course through Person Centered Tech.”
  • The environmental impact is not the listener’s main concern, but worth acknowledging.
  • Essential that consent for AI-assisted notes is explicit both in writing (informed consent documents) and through verbal discussion with clients.

  “You absolutely need to make sure your clients know that you're using AI if you're using AI, and so making sure that it’s in your informed consent. Some of the AI companies for notes have their own informed consent. So it’s a whole separate thing...” — Allison (05:12)

• Client trust and communication:

  • Advises therapists to raise the topic openly, as clients might not read all documentation.
  • Clients should be allowed to opt out if uncomfortable.

  “Let’s be good stewards of ethics and say the stuff out loud and give them the option to back out.” — Allison (05:46)

3. Security & Platform Choices (07:44)

• Do’s and Don’ts:

  • Do not use general AI chatbots like ChatGPT for any client-related or individually-identifying information; these are not secure/HIPAA-compliant.
  • Use specialized, compliant AI platforms specifically designed for therapy notes. These services are built to maintain confidentiality and legal requirements.

  “Don’t use ChatGPT for anything at all that's client-related...everything's PHI, right? So when you're putting in AI, none of that is secure. None of it is protected...” — Allison (07:47)

4. Acknowledging Therapist Pain Points & Special Populations (06:51; 08:35)

• Neurodivergent therapists and workflow:

  • Templates and guided AI tools can dramatically reduce the emotional burden and overwhelm of staying on top of clinical notes.
  • AI can help those who struggle most with organized documentation find a sustainable routine.

• Interpersonal aspects unchanged:

  • AI tools do not replace the unique relationship and accountability therapists provide; they augment, not substitute, human work.

  “I’m not afraid of AI taking our jobs...it’s the relationship. And I know anytime I’ve used ChatGPT for anything, it’s basically like, ‘you're the most brilliant thing in the world.’ It never pushes back in the way that in therapy we help people grow.” — Allison (06:15)

Notable Quotes

• On navigating AI's role:

  “It definitely has been helpful. You can kind of see that it’s like, wow, this is life changing. But on the other hand, I do kind of have that thing of like how much information is kind of being heard when you're in a session...” — Kim (02:55)

• On client consent and transparency:

  “Let’s be good stewards of ethics and say the stuff out loud and give them the option to back out.” — Allison (05:46)

• On platforms and security:

  “Don't use ChatGPT for anything at all that's client-related...the notes platforms from AI are [secure].” — Allison (07:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Segment Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:17 | Kim’s split views on AI—useful admin tool, but ethical qualms and worries about privacy and environmental impact | | 03:47 | Concerns about live session AI note-takers and client understanding of data use | | 05:01 | Allison on ethical requirements, consent, and communication with clients | | 06:15 | AI cannot replace the therapeutic relationship or growth from human interaction | | 07:44 | Security: Strong warning against using ChatGPT or generic AI for client-specific notes | | 08:35 | Practical benefits for neurodivergent therapists and general struggles with notes |

Memorable Moments

• Kim’s honest admission about benefiting from AI for routine admin (e.g., emails) but wrestling with broader implications (02:19).
• Allison’s push for explicit verbal consent and transparency—comparing it to discussing no-show policies with clients (05:46).
• The light-hearted but real acknowledgment that almost all therapists dislike the task of keeping up with notes (08:35).

Key Takeaways

• AI can be a valuable tool for note-taking and admin IF used within ethical, legal, and practical boundaries.
• Never use generic AI tools like ChatGPT with client-identifying information—stick with sector-specific, HIPAA-compliant software.
• Always secure informed consent (written and verbal) if using AI for clinical notes, and be transparent with your clients.
• AI doesn’t threaten the core value of therapy—the relationship and growth provided by human connection remain irreplaceable.
• Special populations, especially neurodivergent therapists, may find AI’s structure and templates “life changing” for practice sustainability.

For therapists considering AI, the message is clear: Embrace the possibilities with caution, transparency, and client-centered integrity.