Not Your Granny's AI: Providers Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Psychotherapy

In this episode of Practical for your Practice, hosts Dr. Kevin Holloway and Dr. Jenna Ermold dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in mental healthcare. They are joined by 1LT John Ray Roberts and 1LT Annie McConnon, rising graduate students in the clinical psychology program at the Uniformed Services University (USU). Together, they explore how clients and clinicians are currently navigating AI - from automated note-taking to therapeutic chatbots - and discuss ongoing research tracking provider and patient perceptions. The conversation balances the exciting potential of AI as a resource extender with the indispensable, human elements of the therapeutic relationship. AI is already in the therapy room. Tune in to find out how you can participate in this vital research and ensure provider perspectives aren't left behind. Annie Mcconnon, 1LT, USA is a rising 4th year clinical psychology doctoral candidate at the Uniformed Services University. She earned her master's degree in Clinical Counseling and Sport/Performance Psychology from Boston University. She is currently the Health Psychology Extern at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and an Operational Psychology Extern at the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group. Her research interests include performance psychology interventions and artificial intelligence. John-Ray Roberts, 1LT, USA is a rising 3rd-year clinical psychology doctoral student at the Uniformed Services University. He earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at Louisville Seminary in 2017. Prior to his time at USUHS, he served as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserve. His current research interests center on the intersection of artificial intelligence and human expertise, with particular attention to applications in clinical psychology. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Sentio University (AI and Mental Health Course): https://sentio.org/free-ai-course-the... • Stanford AI Index: https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/202... • Military Medicine Journal (2025): Ann D McConnon, Airyn J Nash, John Ray Roberts, Shmuel Z Juni, Ashley Derenbecker, Patrice Shanahan, Andrew J Waters, Incorporating AI Into Military Behavioral Health: A Narrative Review, Military Medicine, Volume 190, Issue 9-10, September/October 2025, Pages e1870–e1881, https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaf162 Calls-to-action: • Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/ZBiSDf4FwXK4RQqw6 (Questions? Contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ) • Share your impactful moment on our SpeakPipe at https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p or via email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) • Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast • Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email (https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-O...)