325 - What is Human Therapy in the Age of AI? with Ted Faneuff
“There's opportunities for good and evil here.” ~Ted Faneuff
Ted Faneuff on the limits of AI therapy, the power of relationship, and how therapists can adapt without losing what makes the work human.
I’m gonna potentially anger some folks, but here I go: I understand that AI has become a moral issue (on top of being an environmental one). That said, while I agree with some of the concerns, the tech does offer major benefits.
Don’t @ me. You can find plenty of recent episodes where I wrestle with the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence in therapeutic spaces. Add this conversation with Ted Faneuff, LCSW, to that list.
Ted is the clinical operations leader at Upheal, an AI-powered platform that helps therapists manage progress notes, treatment plans, and other daily operations.
We dig into the questions shaping the AI debate and motivations guiding three distinct user groups: therapists who are firmly opposed to AI, therapists who are cautiously curious, and therapists who are already enthusiastically adopting the tech in their practices.
Where would you place yourself on this spectrum? Would anything shift your opinion or usage of AI one way or the other?
“I love the variety of opinions here because this is our profession on display,” observes Ted. “This is advocacy on display. This is a lot of different levels coming into these conversations. I think the difference is that, unlike other technological shifts that we've had in our profession, this one seems like whoosh!”
He’s not wrong. Changes to the field of therapy feel uniquely fast and emotionally charged compared to those made just a decade ago. Therapists should scrutinize the pace of AI adoption, especially as some big-tech wellness firms push chatbot “therapists” as the answer for barriers to mental health care.
“What I find most amusing about the last seven to 10 years is that suddenly the world is realizing how much of an issue mental health is,” says Ted. He thinks that human therapists will remain the industry gold standard. “Robots can make watches and repair shoes, but there are still people who are watchmakers and who put shoes together. There's still a lot of people who hone their craft.”
Maybe AI is an invitation for therapists to do our work, protect the essence of our craft, and promote authentic healing in community.
GUEST CONTACT & BIO
Ted Faneuff, LCSW, is a clinical operations leader specializing in scaling behavioral health systems at the intersection of care delivery and technology. At Upheal and previously as the founding Director of Clinical Operations at NOCD, he has built and scaled clinical infrastructure from the ground up, supporting hundreds of clinicians across multiple markets. His work focuses on ensuring that innovation in mental health remains effective and grounded in real-world clinical practice.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist
Psychotherapy Networker Symposium
The Matthias J. Barker Podcast
RECOMMENDED EPISODES
Therapists vs. AI? Earl Wagner, PhD on the Future of Human Healing
Shawna Murray-Browne - Anti-Oppressive and Liberation-Focused
Join the waitlist for the next Authentic Leaders Group!
This is a journey of self-discovery and leadership mastery, where you'll not only enhance your leadership skills but also forge meaningful connections with fellow therapists who are committed to their own growth and the betterment of the therapy field. Apply now!
Thank you to The Therapist Network for sponsoring the show!
The Therapist Network is a global community built by and for therapists. You’ll find live consult groups, an ever-growing library of workshops and courses, plus a community that really sees you. Sarah’s group, Tending to the Wounded Healer, meets every other Monday from 1–2pm CT, and it’s a space to explore the intersection of your lived experience and your clinical work.
So if you want to feel more supported and less alone, visit TheTherapist.Network—or join Sarah’s group directly at tinyurl.com/HealerConsultTTN.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Check the calendar for opportunities to connect with Sarah and earn CEs.
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Join our Patreon for gifts & perks
Shop our Bookshop.org store and support local booksellers
Share a rating & review on Apple Podcasts
***
Let’s be friends! You can find me in the following places…