Why I’m Embracing AI in My Psychotherapy Practice (And How You Can Too)

Why I’m Embracing AI in My Psychotherapy Practice (And How You Can Too)

As a Nurse and Psychotherapist who is also dyslexic, I have always found the administrative side of my practice to be a significant challenge. From struggling to find the right words to the sheer volume of paperwork, keeping on top of clinical notes has been a constant battle. In the past, I’ve tried various solutions. During my time with the NHS in IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies), I used voice recognition software like Dragon. Earlier in my nursing career, we had the luxury of dictating letters for a clerical team to transcribe – a system that seems to have vanished with service cuts.

My search for a better way led me to Artificial Intelligence, specifically an application called Heidi. This tool, designed for the medical industry, is reliable, encrypted, and highly secure. It has not only streamlined my workflow but has also unexpectedly enhanced the therapeutic process for my clients.

The Power of Personalised Templates

One of the most transformative features of this AI application is its use of templates. While a free version exists, the ability to create your own templates with a paid account is where the real value lies. This allows you to structure your notes precisely how you need them. The system learns your unique style of speaking and writing, so with every correction you make, the output becomes more personalised and authentic to you.

Recently, a new update has made this process even easier. I can now upload a blank form—for example, a request for additional sessions from a third-party provider or a specific form for a personal injury claim—and the AI will generate a template from it in seconds. In private practice, where I deal with numerous insurance companies, work-based plans, and other organisations, each with their own paperwork, this feature is a phenomenal time-saver.

How it Works in Session

During a session, I switch on the transcribe function. The AI creates an anonymous transcript of our conversation. This transcript is then processed using my custom template and the system’s learned understanding of my clinical style to draft my session notes, letters, or reports. The time saved is immense, freeing me up to focus more on my clients.

Enhancing Therapy with Client Summaries

Beyond administrative efficiency, the most profound benefit has been the ability to create strength-based client session summaries. These are far more effective than any traditional “bridging” technique I’ve used to maintain momentum between sessions.

I send a summary to the client after our session, which typically includes:
– Main Topics: A few bullet points on the key themes we discussed.
– Insights: Any significant realisations that occurred during the session.
– Agreed Next Steps: Actionable points or topics for reflection.
– Important Reminders: Gentle reminders of psychological theories we’ve touched on or self-compassion-focused comments.

The entire summary is framed in a positive, strength-based, and resilient-focused manner. The feedback has been unanimously positive. Clients have shared comments like, “I really knew you listened to me when I read that,” and have noted how helpful it is to review the notes to process their thoughts. I have seen a tangible, positive impact on treatment progression.

Consent, Confidentiality, and Alternatives

Naturally, using such technology requires a clear and ethical approach to consent and confidentiality. My client contract includes a section explaining my use of an AI medical transcriber, clarifying that it creates an anonymous transcript solely for note generation. I have my system settings to automatically delete all data every eight weeks, though I typically delete transcripts immediately after use unless a report or other administrative task is pending.

In the first session, I explain this process to every client. The vast majority are comfortable with it, especially when I explain the benefit of receiving a session summary. I have had one client who preferred I didn’t use it, and I respected their choice without issue. For clients who decline, or for moments when I just want to make a quick note, the application has a dictation function. I can simply record my thoughts post-session, and the AI uses the same template to structure them into a coherent note.

Embracing this technology has saved me hours of administrative work, but more importantly, it has provided a new, powerful tool to support my clients’ therapeutic journeys. It has allowed me to be more present in my work and has fostered a deeper sense of connection and collaboration with the people I help.

PS I wrote this blog using Heidi! I spoke into the dictation feature and just told it everything I wanted to say, then the magic happened and my voice was put to print.