AI Tools Are Recording Therapy Sessions, Raising Patient Privacy Concerns
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Therapists are increasingly using AI tools to record sessions and generate clinical notes, a practice that has led to patient privacy concerns. While companies assert compliance with privacy laws and cite significant time savings for clinicians, surveys show a majority of Americans are worried about how their health data is handled by AI systems.
Facts First
- Therapists are using AI to record sessions and generate transcripts and draft clinical notes.
- Companies like Berries market these tools to reduce administrative paperwork, with fees ranging from $19 to $99 per month.
- Providers state the systems are HIPAA-compliant and do not use therapy content to train AI models.
- Surveys show widespread public concern, with about 77% of Americans worried about AI handling their health data.
- The tools can save clinicians significant time, with one analysis showing nearly 16,000 hours of documentation saved in a year.
What Happened
Molly Quinn, a patient in Arkansas, discovered her therapist was using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to record their session without her explicit consent. Following the incident, Quinn canceled her appointments and found a new therapist, specifying she does not want AI used in her sessions. Therapists across the U.S. are increasingly adopting AI platforms from companies like Berries, SimplePractice, and Blueprint to record conversations, transcribe them, and draft clinical notes.
Why this Matters to You
If you are in therapy, your sessions may be recorded by an AI tool without a clear, separate conversation about it. This could affect your sense of privacy and trust in the therapeutic relationship. For therapists, these tools may significantly reduce administrative burdens, potentially freeing up more time for patient care. However, you may feel uneasy, as a national survey found approximately 77% of Americans are worried about how their health information is stored and used by AI systems.
What's Next
The use of AI in therapy appears likely to continue growing as companies promote its efficiency benefits. You may need to proactively ask your therapist about their documentation practices if you have privacy concerns. The industry may face increased scrutiny over consent and data handling, which could lead to more standardized disclosure practices.