Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology

About Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology

Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology bridges the gap between psychology and artificial intelligence, offering psychologists across all specialties clear, actionable insights into how AI is transforming the field. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, educator, organizational psychologist, or working in any psychological specialty, this podcast delivers expert perspectives on ethical integration, practical applications, and future developments to help you confidently navigate the digital transformation of our profession. Presented by ABPP and Wayde AI, with sponsorship from the National Register of Health Service Psychologist, this collaboration brings together psychological expertise and technological innovation to explore how AI can enhance psychological work while maintaining professional standards and human connection. Subscribe now to join a growing community of forward-thinking psychologists who are shaping the future of our profession.

Publisher

Ernest Wayde

Category

health & fitness · science · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Jun 2025

Latest episode

27 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Oct 2026

   AI in Psychology: Clinical Judgment, Ethics, and the Future of Mental Health Care with Australian Psychologist Dr. Erika Penney

   In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Erika Penney, principal clinical psychologist at Schema Therapy & Supervision Australia, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping psychological practice, clinical education, and mental health care. She explains why psychologists and educators need to rethink traditional approaches to AI, including how clinical training can prepare future psychologists to use these tools responsibly while maintaining independent clinical competence. The conversation examines AI’s potential to support psychologists through administrative tasks, AI scribes, research, literature reviews, and between-session therapeutic work, while emphasizing the importance of clinical judgment, critical thinking, and human connection. Dr. Penney also discusses how clients are already using AI for emotional support, companionship, and advice. She highlights the importance of approaching clients' AI use without judgment and helping them critically evaluate AI-generated guidance. She encourages psychologists to strengthen their digital literacy, pursue ongoing professional development, and preserve the relational skills essential to effective psychological care. Takeaways: -AI Is Changing Psychological Practice and Education. -AI Should Support, Not Replace, Clinical Judgment. -Privacy, Security, and Ethics Are Essential in AI Use. -Psychologists Need Ongoing AI Education and Training. -Clinicians Must Understand How Clients Use AI for Mental Health Support. -Human Connection Remains Essential to Effective Therapy. Connect with Dr. Erika Penney Website:https://drerikapenney.com.au/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-erika-penney-5b862b108/ Connect With Us https://www.waydeai.com/ https://www.facebook.com/waydeaillc https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/ info@waydeai.com Subscribe https://the-waydeai-brief.beehiiv.com/ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Meet Dr. Erika Penney 02:21 - From Complex Trauma to Digital Mental Health 05:05 - Preparing Psychologists for AI 07:05 - AI, Learning, and Clinical Competence 10:22 - Learning From AI Failures 11:45 - AI Adoption Among Psychologists in Australia 13:57 - AI in Australia's Healthcare Systems 15:12 - Privacy, Data Security, and Client Confidentiality 17:58 - Discussing AI Use in Therapy 22:39 - AI Scribes and Clinical Workflows 25:02 - AI for Between-Session Therapeutic Practice 28:27 - AI and the Future of Preventive Mental Health Care 33:15 - Preparing for the Future Through AI Professional Development

2. 

   20 Oct 2026

   AI, Artificial Intimacy, and the Illusion of Empathy with Dr. Sherry Turkle

   In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Sherry Turkle, MIT professor, clinical psychologist, and author of Artificial Intimacy, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping human connection, empathy, and relationships. Drawing on decades of research into the emotional impact of technology, Dr. Turkle explains how AI chatbots can create the feeling of being understood without the lived experience or mutual engagement that defines human empathy. She examines how emotionally responsive AI companions may change our expectations of relationships, making human interactions seem increasingly difficult by comparison. The conversation explores the psychological risks of AI companionship, particularly for children, adolescents, and people experiencing loneliness, as well as Dr. Turkle's concerns about chatbots being used for therapy or emotional support between sessions. She questions whether AI's reassuring responses can substitute for the challenge, accountability, and genuine understanding found in human relationships. Dr. Turkle also calls attention to the importance of investing in social infrastructure rather than relying on technology to address isolation, emphasizing why preserving human connection matters for psychological well-being and society. Takeaways -AI can simulate empathy without sharing the human experience behind it. -Constant AI reassurance may reshape expectations of real relationships. -Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to artificial intimacy. -AI companionship may discourage the interpersonal skills needed for human connection. Connect with Dr. Sherry Turkle Website: https://sherryturkle.com/ Connect With Us https://www.waydeai.com/ https://www.facebook.com/waydeaillc https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/ info@waydeai.com Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:20 - Dr. Sherry Turkle's Journey into AI and Psychology 05:27 - Artificial Intimacy and the Shift Toward AI Relationships 07:00 - The Psychological Risks of AI Companionship 08:12 - Simulated Empathy vs. Human Empathy 11:44 - How AI Affects Human Relationships and Social Skills 12:49 - Feeling Understood by AI vs. Being Understood 15:39 - Emotional Dependence and AI Safety Risks 19:22 - Recognizing Vulnerability to AI Companionship 20:38 - AI Engagement, Advertising, and Influence 22:42 - Can AI Support Therapy and Human Relationships? 24:19 - The Risks of AI Reassurance Without Accountability 27:34 - Loneliness, Vulnerable Populations, and Social Infrastructure 29:14 - Final Thoughts and Connecting with Dr. Turkle 29:56 - Closing Advice: Make a Friend

3. 

   13 Oct 2026

   AI in Mental Health: Why Clinical Judgment Still Matters with Dr. Caitlin Stamatis

   In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Caitlin Stamatis, a clinical psychologist who has spent more than a decade working across digital mental health, behavioral health research, and technology, and now leads research at Slingshot AI. Dr. Stamatis shares how her skepticism of AI began to shift after seeing purpose-built mental health systems and emerging research such as the Therabot trial. They explore where AI may extend mental health support, from personalized clinical materials and assessment tools to support between traditional appointments, while examining why the vocabulary of therapy is not the same as clinical judgment. The conversation also examines the harder questions surrounding mental health AI: sycophancy, engagement-driven business models, reassurance seeking, clinical risk, privacy, evidence generation, and how to evaluate generative systems that continuously change. Dr. Stamatis argues that psychologists have important roles throughout the AI lifecycle, including defining safety policies, evaluating model responses, measuring real-world outcomes, integrating AI into care systems, and challenging developers when tools fall short. Rather than requiring psychologists to become less skeptical, she sees informed skepticism and clinical expertise as necessary for shaping safer, more useful mental health AI. Takeaways: -Sounding like a therapist is not the same as clinical judgment. -Psychologists can help define safe and effective AI responses. -Engagement-driven business models may conflict with patient outcomes. -Mental health AI needs continuous evidence and safety evaluation. -AI may support people between sessions or when care is unavailable. -Skeptical clinicians can help identify risks and improve AI tools. Connect with Dr. Caitlin Stamatis Website: https://drstamatis.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cstamatis Connect With Us https://www.waydeai.com/ https://www.facebook.com/waydeaillc https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/ info@waydeai.com Chapters: 00:00 - Cold Open: Clinicians and AI Safety 00:53 - Intro 02:10 - Dr. Caitlin Stamatis’ Journey to Mental Health AI 05:30 - From AI Skepticism to Seeing Its Potential 07:34 - Why Clinical Judgment Still Matters 10:15 - Business Models, Engagement, and Patient Outcomes 12:33 - AI Sycophancy and Responsible Use 15:28 - The Role of Psychologists in AI Safety 18:43 - Evaluating AI as the Technology Changes 20:54 - Setting a High Bar for Mental Health AI 22:39 - AI in Clinical Practice 25:13 - How Psychologists Can Shape AI Development 25:58 - Rethinking Models of Mental Health Care 28:39 - Why AI Skeptics Are Needed 30:37 - Outro

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.4 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 3 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

5

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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