Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology – Details, episodes & analysis

Join Dr. Ernest Wayde, psychologist and AI strategist, for essential conversations about AI's impact on the field of psychology, clinical care, research, practice and more. No tech background required—just curiosity about the future of our profession.

Topics include: Psychology, Clinical AI integration, Research innovation, Ethics, Professional development

This show is for Psychologists ready to shape, not just survive, the AI revolution.

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Welcome to the Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology Podcast!

In this inaugural episode of 'Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology', Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. Jeni McCutcheon explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and psychology. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI in mental health practices, the ethical considerations surrounding its use, and the potential future of AI in the field.

Dr. McCutcheon shares her journey of integrating AI into her clinical practice, highlighting both the benefits and challenges. The conversation emphasizes the importance of ethical practices, transparency, and the collaborative potential of AI in enhancing psychological services.

Takeaways include:

• AI is transforming the landscape of psychology and mental health.

• AI can enhance efficiency in clinical practice, saving time and improving outcomes.

• Ethical considerations are paramount when using AI in therapy.

• Transparency with clients about AI use is essential for ethical practice.

• The future of psychology will increasingly involve AI as a tool for clinicians.

To learn more about

Dr. Jeni McCutcheon, visit her website at www.drjeni.org or on her LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeni-mccutcheon-psy-d-m-s-c-p-abpp-58b7509/

In this conversation on the Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology Podcast, Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. David Cooper explore the intersection of AI and psychology, discussing how AI can assist therapists in their work, the fears surrounding AI replacing human therapists, and the practical applications of AI in mental health.

They emphasize the importance of psychologists being involved in the development of AI tools and the need for ethical guidelines as AI continues to evolve in the field. The discussion also highlights the potential for AI to augment therapeutic practices rather than replace them, encouraging psychologists to embrace technology as a valuable resource.

Takeaways include:

• AI can assist therapists in their work.

• There is a need for psychologists to be involved in AI development.

• The fear of AI replacing therapists is largely unfounded.

• AI can enhance the therapeutic process rather than replace it.

• Ethical guidelines for AI in mental health are essential.

Connect with Dr. Cooper at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdccooper/

In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. Dylan Ross discuss the integration of AI in psychology and clinical practice. They explore how AI is transforming treatment planning, the role of AI scribes in reducing clinician workload, and the future of AI in mental health.

Dr. Ross emphasizes the importance of psychologists in the development of AI tools to ensure quality and safety in mental health care. The conversation also highlights the need for clinicians to engage with technology and find communities that support their professional growth in this evolving landscape. 

Takeaways include:

 • Treatment planning is evolving with AI integration. 

• AI scribes can significantly reduce documentation time. 

• AI tools can enhance clinician efficiency and focus on care. 

• The future of psychology will involve more technology integration. 

• Psychologists must be involved in AI tool development. 

• AI won't replace clinicians but will augment their roles. 

What happens when AI can write a psychological report in under two minutes — and licensed psychologists take hours? In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde talks with Dr. Adam Lockwood about the disruptive role of AI in psychological report writing.

They explore how AI compares to human-written reports, where clinicians see value and risks, and what this means for the future of psychology.

Key Takeaways:

• AI-generated reports can match human quality in many areas — and sometimes surpass them in recommendations.
• Clinicians still prefer human summaries, but effect size differences were often small.
• Automation bias and loss of clinical skills remain real risks if AI is used uncritically.
• Bias in AI output reflects societal inequities, making vigilance essential.
• Responsible adoption requires safeguards like HIPAA-compliant agreements and human oversight.

For more of Dr. Lockwood’s insights and commentary on emerging AI research in psychology, visit his blog at LockwoodConsulting.net

In this conversation, Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. Lindsay Childress Beatty explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and psychology, focusing on the ethical implications, the importance of competence, and the evolving role of psychologists in the development and application of AI technologies.

They discuss the need for ethical guidelines, the challenges posed by rapid advancements in AI, and the necessity of integrating cultural competency into AI design. The conversation emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and ethical frameworks in preparing future psychologists for a landscape increasingly influenced by AI.

Takeaways include:

• AI is a growing field in psychology that requires ethical considerations.

• The integration of AI in psychology must prioritize human involvement.

• Competence in understanding AI tools is essential for psychologists.

• Psychologists should be involved in AI design to address ethical issues.

• Education must adapt to teach future psychologists about AI.

In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde speaks with Dr. Andrew Sherrill, an Emory psychologist specializing in anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, to explore how AI can support—not replace—clinicians. Dr. Sherrill explains how automation can take on the dirty, dull, and dangerous tasks that bog down therapists, freeing them to focus on empathy and evidence-based care.

Drawing from exposure therapy, he offers a powerful parallel for psychologists learning to face their own “AI anxiety.” By approaching new technology the same way we help clients face fears—gradually, with curiosity and compassion—clinicians can engage with AI ethically, creatively, and confidently.

Takeaways:

• AI should replace tasks, not therapists.
• Exposure therapy principles can reduce technophobia and build comfort with AI.
• Stay in the loop: always validate and supervise AI outputs.
• Use AI creatively for safe exposure stimuli (VR, AR, LLMs), but maintain clinical oversight.
• Avoidance fuels anxiety—curiosity builds competence.

Guest Links:

Dr. Andrew M. Sherrill | evidencefirstsolutions.com

AI studies with clinicians registry: http://bit.ly/TEAMMAIT_Study

In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Don Grant, a media psychologist, about the intersection of AI and mental health. They discuss the implications of AI on socialization, the rise of chatbots, and the potential dangers of relying on AI for mental health support. Dr. Grant emphasizes the importance of understanding technology as a tool, the need for parents and clinicians to engage with children about their use of AI, and the responsibilities that come with it.

Takeaways

• AI has been embedded in many platforms for a long time, influencing user behavior.

• Chatbots can provide support but are not substitutes for professional mental health care.

• The availability of chatbots raises concerns about misinformation and lack of accountability.

• Parents should engage with their children about their use of AI and chatbots.

• Clinicians must assess if their clients are using chatbots and understand their impact.

• AI can create a false sense of companionship and validation for users.

• AI is a tool that should be used responsibly, especially in mental health contexts.

Connect with Dr. Don Grant

Email: drdej@gmail.com

LinkedIn

Website

In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde discusses the intersection of AI and psychology, emphasizing the importance of understanding AI's limitations and the irreplaceable aspects of human psychological expertise. He explores the therapeutic relationship, highlighting the differences between human and AI interactions, and introduces the WAYDE AI Three Questions Assessment to help psychologists building awareness and make informed decisions about AI development related to their practice. The conversation aims to foster clarity and agency among psychologists as they navigate the evolving landscape of AI in mental health care.

Key takeaways include:

• AI cannot replace the irreducible core of psychological expertise.

• A real therapeutic relationship is a mutual two-way process.

• AI treats you as an object to be optimized, not a subject to be understood.

• AI can simulate empathy, but it can't hold responsibility.

• Educating clients about AI vs human therapy is crucial.

• AI can help clinicians reduce administrative load.

• Emotional solipsism can arise from AI interactions.

• We need to talk about how to think about AI clearly.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• First Therapy Chatbot Trial Yields Mental Health Benefits | Dartmouth

• The Story of ELIZA: The AI That Fooled the World

• The Wayde AI Brief

Connect With Us

• https://www.waydeai.com/

• https://www.facebook.com/waydeai

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

• info@waydeai.com

In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde engages with Dr. Caroline Figueroa, who discusses her extensive background in mental health, neuroscience, and AI. They explore how AI tools are being utilized by youth for emotional support, the implications for psychologists, and the importance of involving young people in the design and regulation of these technologies. The conversation highlights the need for responsible AI frameworks, discussing AI use with young people, and the challenges faced by mental health professionals.

Takeaways:

1. Many young people find AI chatbots helpful.
2. Psychologists should ask about AI use in therapy.
3. Some young people recognize AI's limitations.
4. Involving youth in AI design is crucial.
5. Banning AI for youth may not be effective.
6. AI can support but shouldn't replace human interaction.

Connect with Dr. Caroline Figueroa

https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-figueroa-md-phd-85a11485/

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/person/caroline-figueroa

https://www.risedigitalhealth.eu/

Connect With Us

https://www.waydeai.com/

https://www.facebook.com/waydeai

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

info@waydeai.com

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