Episode 530: When Clients Use AI for Therapy -- Risks, Realities, and Conversations We Need to Have
Release Date: 08/22/2025
Episode 612: Free Email Isn't Worth It: Why It's a Bad Idea and What To Do Instead
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we explain why free email providers are inherently not HIPAA compliance compatible. We discuss: Why it’s necessary to have a Business Associate Agreement with your email service provider Why clients can’t opt out of HIPAA What requests for alternative or non-secure communication actually mean under the HIPAA Privacy Rule What counts as Protected Health Information (PHI) Why a free email address might be a red flag for prospective clients How to get a BAA...
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Episode 611: The Real Risks of Using Non-Vetted AI Platforms with Client Information
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we continue our series on AI use within therapy practices by sharing how to explain to your team members why using non-vetted AI platforms is not permissible. We discuss: What counts as Protected Health Information and a breakdown of the often misunderstood 18th identifier under HIPAA How therapy progress notes and clinical notes are inherently identifying AI re-identification risk and why this is possible Why AI use involving client information must be...
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Episode 610: Don't Panic - But Do Pay Attention: What the Darksword iPhone Exploit Actually Means
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we share information about the recent Darksword iPhone exploit, and what that means for therapy practice owners regarding device security. We discuss: What you need to know about this exploit Device hardening within your security circle Device security gaps we see in everyday practice Pairing technical security measures with behavioral security measures PCT’s resources around risk management and device security Listen here: For more, PCT Resources ...
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Episode 609: Update: HHS Releases Model NPP for Part 2 Changes — What It Means for Your Practice
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we discuss HHS’s new model Notice of Privacy Practice for Part 2 programs, what has changed, and what that means for your practice. We cover: The Part 2 Final Rule from 2024 Why the Feb. 16th enforcement deadline has been so confusing The model Part 2 NPP and Patient Notice from HHS, and the function of each document Who is considered a lawful holder and what that means Whether you need to switch to the HHS templates What to do if you already used...
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Episode 608: AI Isn’t the Problem, Lack of Governance Is – A PSA for Group Practice Leadership
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we share a PSA for group practice owners to address unauthorized AI use within your practice. We discuss: What we mean by governance What counts as Protected Health Information (PHI) The standard we use at PCT to determine if something is PHI Why AI tools like ChatGPT are inappropriate for PHI De-identification standards under HIPAA Ethical standards and informed consent for clinical use of AI Concrete next steps to take as a practice leader to address AI...
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Episode 607: HIPAA After Retirement – How to Close Your Practice the Right Way
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we discuss the HIPAA responsibilities for therapy practice owners when closing their practice or retiring. We cover: Common assumptions about responsibilities after retirement What determines your record retention length How long you must remain contactable after closing your practice and why The key functionalities you need to maintain, and the most economical ways to DIY them Outsourcing to an executor service as an alternative to the DIY approach Common...
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Episode 606: Being Findable in an AI-Shaped Referral World
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we offer actionable tips for practice owners regarding the rapidly changing landscape of online referral sources. We discuss: How online referral sources have changed over the last year Why Psychology Today is no longer the dominant referral pathway Emphasizing community based referrals How clients are using AI to find therapists How AI tools prioritize results Practical do’s and don’ts for being findable via AI Listen here: For more, PCT Resources ...
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Episode 605: 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA NPPs, and the February 16 Deadline: What Actually Needs to Change
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we share what’s actually necessary when updating your Notice of Privacy Practices due to Part 2. We discuss: The confusion around updating NPPs without an updated model from HHS A quick refresher on Part 2 Who is considered a lawful holder under Part 2 Next steps for updating your NPP if you are a Part 2 program or lawful holder Our free resource on updating your NPP before the 2/16 enforcement deadline Listen here: For more, PCT Resources PCT Free...
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Episode 604: Don't Get Phished!
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we share advice on how to avoid phishing scams. We discuss: Phishing scams in text messages and email Common scams you might encounter What not to do when you get a suspicious text message PCT resources for how to identify scams and social engineering Listen here: For more,
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Episode 603: HIPAA Security Rule Changes: January 2026 Update & What Practices Need to Know
Group Practice Tech
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we have an update (and are once again offering reassurance) around the proposed HIPAA Security Rule changes. We discuss: The proposed Security Rule update on the OCR’s spring regulatory agenda Why you’re already in good hands if you’re following PCT’s advice Some of the proposed changes that will impact therapy practices Reassurance about these proposed changes Effective dates versus compliance date Forecasting scenarios for these changes to...
info_outlineWelcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.
In our latest episode, we chat about what you should know when clients use AI for therapy.
We discuss:
- the risks and benefits of clients using AI in a therapeutic manner
- how clinicians can approach conversations about AI practices with clients
- why clients are turning to AI for therapeutic purposes, and what clinicians can do to support them safely
Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/
For more, visit our website.
Resources
- APA article: Using generic AI chatbots for mental health support: A dangerous trend
- Article: Illinois’ ban on AI therapy won’t stop people from asking chatbots for help
- Article: Using Generative AI for therapy might feel like a lifeline – but there’s danger in seeking certainty in a chatbot
- Article: AI chatbots are becoming popular alternatives to therapy. But they may worsen mental health crises, experts warn
- NPR story: He said, she said, it said: I used ChatGPT as a couple's counselor. How did we fare?
- Article: AI Therapist Goes Haywire, Urges User to Go on Killing Spree
- Psychiatric Times: Preliminary Report on Chatbot Iatrogenic Dangers
- Stanford University article: Exploring the Dangers of AI in Mental Health Care
PCT Resources
- Free handout resource: Clinician Conversation Starters: Bringing Client AI Use Into the Therapy Room
- Practical prompts and responses to help clinicians talk with clients about AI use in ways that are safe, constructive, and clinically grounded.
- Free handout resource: Clinical Leadership Checklist: Guiding Teams in Addressing Client AI Use
- A step-by-step guide for clinical supervisors and directors to make client AI use considerations an intentional part of practice culture, including team awareness, policy updates, and supervision strategies.
- On-Demand CE course: Law & Ethics of the Clinical Use of Artificial Intelligence: Implications in Clinical Practice
- This 3 CE credit training with attorney and mental health counselor Eric Ström, JD, PhD, LMHC explores the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence in behavioral health. Learn how AI tools are being applied in clinical practice, what legal and ethical standards apply, and how to confidently evaluate whether and how to integrate new technologies. Participants gain practical strategies for aligning AI use with HIPAA, professional ethics codes, and client care standards—empowering you to implement AI tools responsibly and effectively in your practice.
- **Useful for all clinicians and practice leadership**
- Group Practice Care Premium
- weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours -- including monthly session with therapist attorney Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC
- + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
- + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more