Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, including the world of mental health care. From writing clinical notes and assisting with treatment plans to streamlining billing and administrative tasks, there are more opportunities than ever to incorporate AI into the work we do.

At Rooted Insights, we recognize that technology can offer efficiencies and that different providers and practices will make different decisions about how to use it. We also believe that when it comes to mental health care, those decisions deserve careful consideration. For our practice, that means we have chosen not to use AI to write clinical notes, generate treatment plans, complete billing documentation, or process sensitive client information through AI tools.

This is a decision rooted in our professional values and our understanding of the responsibility we have to the people who trust us with their care. We have concerns about privacy, the role of human judgment in clinical work, and the broader impact of the technology we choose to use. We believe these considerations deserve a place in conversations about the future of mental health care, even as the technology continues to evolve.

Privacy and confidentiality

One of our primary considerations is protecting client privacy. In counseling, people share some of the most personal experiences of their lives. We believe it is important to be thoughtful about where that information goes, how it is handled, who may have access to it, and what happens to it over time.

AI tools vary significantly in how they operate, what information they process, and how their data practices are structured. Some tools may offer privacy protections and contractual safeguards designed for health care settings, while others may not be appropriate for handling sensitive clinical information. Understanding those differences takes more than simply knowing that a tool is convenient or widely used.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides guidance on the responsibilities health care organizations have when using cloud-based services to create, receive, maintain, or transmit protected health information. Those responsibilities include evaluating risks and ensuring that appropriate agreements and safeguards are in place. HHS guidance on HIPAA and cloud computing.

We have also seen examples of how sensitive mental health information can become part of legal proceedings. Reporting by Proof News, for example, examined therapy-related information disclosed in connection with a legal case involving Talkspace. While that situation does not establish that all AI tools create the same risks, it is a reminder of why we believe the handling of sensitive mental health information deserves careful attention. Read the Proof News report.

We do not believe these concerns mean that every AI tool is inherently unsafe or that technology cannot be used responsibly in health care. Rather, we believe privacy and confidentiality should remain central considerations whenever a tool may involve sensitive client information. At Rooted Insights, we have chosen an approach that allows us to keep our clinical documentation process human-led and to avoid introducing AI into these aspects of our work.

The value of human reflection in clinical work

Another consideration is the role that documentation plays in the therapeutic process. Clinical notes are not simply administrative tasks to complete after a session. They are part of how we reflect on the work, organize our clinical thinking, identify patterns, and remain intentional about the care we provide.

We believe that writing our own notes creates an opportunity to pause and consider what felt important in a session, what we may need to explore further, and how the work connects to a client's broader goals. This process involves professional judgment, context, and an understanding of the therapeutic relationship that extends beyond a summary of what was said.

We recognize that AI tools may be useful to some providers, and we are not suggesting that clinicians who use them are less thoughtful or less capable. Our decision is about what we value in our own practice. We want to preserve the space for clinicians to reflect on their work directly and to take responsibility for the documentation and clinical decisions that follow.

We also believe that convenience is only one part of the conversation. When considering a new tool, we want to ask not only whether it saves time, but also what it changes about the process, what responsibilities come with its use, and whether it aligns with the kind of care we want to provide.

Considering the broader impact of technology

We are also interested in the environmental resources required to support increasingly complex technologies. AI systems rely on computing infrastructure, including data centers that consume electricity and require cooling and other resources. The amount of energy used varies depending on the technology, the task, and the infrastructure involved.

The International Energy Agency's report, Energy and AI, explores the relationship between AI growth and electricity demand. Its findings describe the increasing energy needs associated with data centers and the role AI is expected to play in that growth.

We recognize that the environmental impact of AI is complex and that the technology itself is not the only factor involved. We are not suggesting that every use of AI has the same environmental footprint or that this concern alone determines whether a tool should be used. Rather, we believe resource use is one consideration worth including when we evaluate whether a new technology is necessary or consistent with our values.

For us, this is part of a broader commitment to being intentional about the choices we make as a practice. We do not believe every new technology needs to be adopted simply because it is available, and we believe it is reasonable to consider both its potential benefits and its broader implications.

Choosing intentionally

We know AI will continue to change, and our understanding of its applications, limitations, and risks will continue to develop as well. We are open to ongoing conversations about technology and its role in mental health care. At the same time, we believe it is important to make decisions based on our professional responsibilities, the needs of the people we serve, and the values that guide our work.

At Rooted Insights, we have chosen not to use AI for clinical documentation, treatment planning, billing documentation, or the processing of sensitive client information. This is our practice decision, based on our current concerns and priorities. We respect that other providers may evaluate these questions differently, and we believe each practice should carefully consider the tools it uses and the responsibilities that come with them.

Ultimately, our goal is not to make a statement about what every mental health practice should do. It is to be transparent about how we approach care and why we have made the choices we have. We believe the human relationship remains central to counseling, and we want our use of technology to reflect that belief.

Sometimes, the most intentional choice isn't the newest, fastest, or most convenient one. For us, it's choosing to keep the human part of this work at the center of what we do.

A note on perspective: This article reflects the professional perspectives, values, and practice decisions of Rooted Insights. It is intended for general informational and educational purposes and discusses our current views regarding AI in mental health care. It is not intended to suggest that all AI tools are inherently unsafe, inappropriate, or noncompliant with applicable laws and regulations. Technology, privacy practices, and research continue to evolve. References to external reporting and research are provided to help readers explore these topics further and should b