We're very excited to welcome Dr. Frederic Reamer, a longtime social work educator and chair of the task force that wrote the NASW Code of Ethics (!!!). Dr. Reamer has spent decades focusing on ethics and risk management in social work, and he talked with us about artificial intelligence and its impact in the behavioral health space.

We talk about the real-world ways AI is already showing up in clinical settings, how it’s being used by clients (often without us knowing), and the ethical risks clinicians need to watch out for. Dr. Reamer shares his perspective on how mental health clinicians can stay grounded and legally protected while navigating this evolving technology, especially when most of us didn’t learn anything about this in grad school.

This conversation is essential for every clinician, whether you're using AI or not.

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. Why every clinician needs to know about AI, even if you're not using it yourself
2. How to update your consent-to-treat protocols to address AI use with clients
3. The real risks of AI-generated clinical notes, including false narratives and hallucinations
4. Why some states have already banned AI for therapeutic purposes (Illinois and Nevada)
5. The importance of vetting AI tools before using them and consulting an attorney who specializes in this area
6. How AI can be a useful supplement, not a replacement, for clinical judgment
7. Why failing to ask clients about their AI use could be considered negligence

Resources:

1. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.
2. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.
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Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.