440 | Do AI-Generated Notes Have a Place in Child-Centered Play Therapy?

Episode summary

In this episode, I answer a question about the growing use of artificial intelligence in therapy, particularly AI tools that record sessions and automatically generate clinical notes. As more employers encourage therapists to adopt these technologies, I explore the ethical concerns surrounding confidentiality, informed consent, data security, and the child's ability to understand what is being recorded and how that information might be used. I explain why parental consent doesn't necessarily resolve these concerns and why we need to carefully consider whether the convenience AI offers therapists justifies the potential risks to children.

I also discuss a concern that is particularly important for CCPT: children communicate through their play, not primarily through conversation. An AI-generated transcript cannot adequately capture the symbolic and thematic significance of what happens in the playroom, and therapists may inadvertently begin changing their reflective responses to provide the AI with more context. That creates a direct threat to fidelity and adherence. Ultimately, I challenge therapists to consider whether AI belongs in the playroom at all. Just because technology makes something possible doesn't mean it is appropriate, necessary, or beneficial to the therapeutic process.