In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Erika Penney, principal clinical psychologist at Schema Therapy & Supervision Australia, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping psychological practice, clinical education, and mental health care. She explains why psychologists and educators need to rethink traditional approaches to AI, including how clinical training can prepare future psychologists to use these tools responsibly while maintaining independent clinical competence.

The conversation examines AI’s potential to support psychologists through administrative tasks, AI scribes, research, literature reviews, and between-session therapeutic work, while emphasizing the importance of clinical judgment, critical thinking, and human connection. Dr. Penney also discusses how clients are already using AI for emotional support, companionship, and advice. She highlights the importance of approaching clients' AI use without judgment and helping them critically evaluate AI-generated guidance. She encourages psychologists to strengthen their digital literacy, pursue ongoing professional development, and preserve the relational skills essential to effective psychological care.

Takeaways:

-AI Is Changing Psychological Practice and Education.

-AI Should Support, Not Replace, Clinical Judgment.

-Privacy, Security, and Ethics Are Essential in AI Use.

-Psychologists Need Ongoing AI Education and Training.

-Clinicians Must Understand How Clients Use AI for Mental Health Support.

-Human Connection Remains Essential to Effective Therapy.

Connect with Dr. Erika Penney

Website:https://drerikapenney.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-erika-penney-5b862b108/

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https://www.waydeai.com/

https://www.facebook.com/waydeaillc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/

info@waydeai.com

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Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:22 - Meet Dr. Erika Penney

02:21 - From Complex Trauma to Digital Mental Health

05:05 - Preparing Psychologists for AI

07:05 - AI, Learning, and Clinical Competence

10:22 - Learning From AI Failures

11:45 - AI Adoption Among Psychologists in Australia

13:57 - AI in Australia's Healthcare Systems

15:12 - Privacy, Data Security, and Client Confidentiality

17:58 - Discussing AI Use in Therapy

22:39 - AI Scribes and Clinical Workflows

25:02 - AI for Between-Session Therapeutic Practice

28:27 - AI and the Future of Preventive Mental Health Care

33:15 - Preparing for the Future Through AI Professional Development

In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Sherry Turkle, MIT professor, clinical psychologist, and author of Artificial Intimacy, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping human connection, empathy, and relationships. Drawing on decades of research into the emotional impact of technology, Dr. Turkle explains how AI chatbots can create the feeling of being understood without the lived experience or mutual engagement that defines human empathy. She examines how emotionally responsive AI companions may change our expectations of relationships, making human interactions seem increasingly difficult by comparison.

The conversation explores the psychological risks of AI companionship, particularly for children, adolescents, and people experiencing loneliness, as well as Dr. Turkle's concerns about chatbots being used for therapy or emotional support between sessions. She questions whether AI's reassuring responses can substitute for the challenge, accountability, and genuine understanding found in human relationships. Dr. Turkle also calls attention to the importance of investing in social infrastructure rather than relying on technology to address isolation, emphasizing why preserving human connection matters for psychological well-being and society.

Takeaways

-AI can simulate empathy without sharing the human experience behind it.

-Constant AI reassurance may reshape expectations of real relationships.

-Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to artificial intimacy.

-AI companionship may discourage the interpersonal skills needed for human connection.

Connect with Dr. Sherry Turkle

Website: https://sherryturkle.com/

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https://www.waydeai.com/

https://www.facebook.com/waydeaillc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/

info@waydeai.com

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

02:20 - Dr. Sherry Turkle's Journey into AI and Psychology

05:27 - Artificial Intimacy and the Shift Toward AI Relationships

07:00 - The Psychological Risks of AI Companionship

08:12 - Simulated Empathy vs. Human Empathy

11:44 - How AI Affects Human Relationships and Social Skills

12:49 - Feeling Understood by AI vs. Being Understood

15:39 - Emotional Dependence and AI Safety Risks

19:22 - Recognizing Vulnerability to AI Companionship

20:38 - AI Engagement, Advertising, and Influence

22:42 - Can AI Support Therapy and Human Relationships?

24:19 - The Risks of AI Reassurance Without Accountability

27:34 - Loneliness, Vulnerable Populations, and Social Infrastructure

29:14 - Final Thoughts and Connecting with Dr. Turkle

29:56 - Closing Advice: Make a Friend

In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Caitlin Stamatis, a clinical psychologist who has spent more than a decade working across digital mental health, behavioral health research, and technology, and now leads research at Slingshot AI. Dr. Stamatis shares how her skepticism of AI began to shift after seeing purpose-built mental health systems and emerging research such as the Therabot trial. They explore where AI may extend mental health support, from personalized clinical materials and assessment tools to support between traditional appointments, while examining why the vocabulary of therapy is not the same as clinical judgment.

The conversation also examines the harder questions surrounding mental health AI: sycophancy, engagement-driven business models, reassurance seeking, clinical risk, privacy, evidence generation, and how to evaluate generative systems that continuously change. Dr. Stamatis argues that psychologists have important roles throughout the AI lifecycle, including defining safety policies, evaluating model responses, measuring real-world outcomes, integrating AI into care systems, and challenging developers when tools fall short. Rather than requiring psychologists to become less skeptical, she sees informed skepticism and clinical expertise as necessary for shaping safer, more useful mental health AI.

Takeaways:

-Sounding like a therapist is not the same as clinical judgment.

-Psychologists can help define safe and effective AI responses.

-Engagement-driven business models may conflict with patient outcomes.

-Mental health AI needs continuous evidence and safety evaluation.

-AI may support people between sessions or when care is unavailable.

-Skeptical clinicians can help identify risks and improve AI tools.

Connect with Dr. Caitlin Stamatis

Website: https://drstamatis.com

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cstamatis

Connect With Us

https://www.waydeai.com/

https://www.facebook.com/waydeaillc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/

info@waydeai.com

Chapters:

00:00 - Cold Open: Clinicians and AI Safety

00:53 - Intro

02:10 - Dr. Caitlin Stamatis’ Journey to Mental Health AI

05:30 - From AI Skepticism to Seeing Its Potential

07:34 - Why Clinical Judgment Still Matters

10:15 - Business Models, Engagement, and Patient Outcomes

12:33 - AI Sycophancy and Responsible Use

15:28 - The Role of Psychologists in AI Safety

18:43 - Evaluating AI as the Technology Changes

20:54 - Setting a High Bar for Mental Health AI

22:39 - AI in Clinical Practice

25:13 - How Psychologists Can Shape AI Development

25:58 - Rethinking Models of Mental Health Care

28:39 - Why AI Skeptics Are Needed

30:37 - Outro