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. It features expert perspectives on ethical integration, practical applications, and future developments, helping clinicians, researchers, educators, and organizational psychologists navigate the digital transformation. Presented by ABPP and Wayde AI, with sponsorship from the National Register of Health Service Psychologist, the podcast combines psychological expertise with technological innovation while maintaining professional standards and human connection. The show encourages forward-thinking psychologists to subscribe and join a community shaping the future of the profession.
Episodes
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
AI Beyond the Therapy Session: Human Connection, Family Care, and AI with Dr. Shiri Sharvit
In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Shiri Sharvit, a clinical psychologist, researcher, technology entrepreneur, CEO and cofounder of Resolve Together, and Distinguished Professor of Research at Palo Alto University. Drawing on more than two decades in clinical psychology and years of work integrating technology into behavioral healthcare, Dr.
AI and Mental Health: The Promise, Risks, and Future of AI Therapy with Dr. Hiba Arnaout
In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI and Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Hiba Arnaout, a postdoctoral researcher at the Ubiquitous Knowledge Processing (UKP) Lab at TU Darmstadt. Dr. Arnaout’s research focuses on natural language processing, knowledge graphs, digital mental health, scholarly AI, and responsible AI. She discusses how AI is already being used for mental health sup
AI Is Moving Faster Than Governance. What Should Healthcare Do?
In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde examines what happens when AI capabilities and adoption move faster than the systems designed to govern them. Drawing connections between recent AI cybersecurity testing, rapid AI adoption in healthcare, shadow AI, and evolving clinical workflows, he argues that responsible AI governance must extend beyond vendor approval, sec
The Future of AI in Mental Health: Safety, Therapy, and Human Judgment with Dr. Alyssa Dietz
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Alyssa Dietz, a clinical psychologist whose career spans academia, clinical practice, digital therapeutics, and technology-enabled mental health care. Dr. Dietz shares how her work evolved from researching digital interventions and training future therapists to developing and evaluating AI-supported mental health tools. She d
AI in Mental Health: Why Human Connection Still Matters with Prof. Munmun De Choudhury
In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Prof. Munmun De Choudhury, J. Z. Liang Professor of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech and a leading researcher in computational social science, human-computer interaction, and digital mental health. Her work focuses on understanding how digital technologies and online interactions shape mental health and wel
Think First, AI Second: Why Human Judgment Still Matters in Psychology with Dr. John Gavazzi
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. John Gavazzi, board-certified clinical psychologist, ethics educator, and former President of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, to explore how psychologists can responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into clinical practice without compromising professional judgment or quality of care.Drawing decades of experi
Building AI for Mental Health: A Computer Scientist’s Perspective with Zainab Iftikhar
In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Zainab Iftikhar, a PhD candidate in Computer Science at Brown University whose research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and AI for mental health. As the first computer scientist featured on the podcast, Zainab offers a unique perspective on how mental health AI systems are designed, evaluated, and used in the real world.The conversation
Psychology in the Age of AI - What Comes Next?
In the Season 3 premiere of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde explores a question that is becoming increasingly urgent for psychologists, clinicians, educators, researchers, and organizational leaders: now that artificial intelligence is already part of our professional and personal lives, what is psychology responsible for?Reflecting how the AI conversation has evolved over the
Teaching Students to Think With AI, Not Around It with Dr. David Williamson Shaffer
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. David Williamson Shaffer, learning scientist, educator, and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming education, writing, critical thinking, and the future of learning.Dr. David Williamson Shaffer shares his journey from classroom teacher to leading researcher in
AI, Therapy & Human Connection: What Psychologists Need to Know with Dr. Page Anderson
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Page Anderson, clinical psychologist, researcher, and associate professor at Georgia State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping mental health care, psychology training, and the future of therapy. Dr. Anderson shares her unexpected journey into digital mental health, from working in one of the earlie
Parenting Through the AI Era: What Every Parent Needs to Know with Dr. Amber Childs
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Amber Childs, child and adolescent psychiatrist, Yale School of Medicine associate professor, and founder of Dr. Amber Childs Advisory. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the lives of teens, parents, clinicians, and the future of mental health care.Dr. Childs shares how her unexpected journey i
How AI Is Reshaping PTSD Therapy and Clinician Training with Dr. Philip Held
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Philip Held, a clinical psychologist and researcher focused on improving PTSD treatment outcomes through AI and accelerated therapy models. The conversation explores how Dr. Held’s team developed “Socrates 2.0,” a multi-agent AI system designed to support cognitive restructuring through Socratic dialogue alongside evidence-based
How AI Is Changing Human Relationships and Mental Health with Dr. Rachel Wood
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Rachel Wood, a cyber psychology researcher, licensed professional counselor, and founder of the AI Mental Health Collective. The discussion explores how artificial intelligence is shifting the relational bedrock of society, noting that clients are increasingly bringing AI into their therapy sessions for advice, comfort, and valid
Defining the Boundaries of AI in Mental Health with Dr. Shannon Wiltsey Stirman
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Shannon Wiltsey Stirman, a professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford and co-director of the Center for Responsible and Effective AI Technology Enhancement for PTSD treatment (CREATE), discusses how large language models can support evidence-based mental health interventions, and can also be used to assist in tra
Understanding How Large Language Models (LLMs) Work with Dr. Ernest Wayde
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde reveals the real mechanics behind large language models like ChatGPT, demystifying what happens inside these systems when you use them. Whether you're a psychologist or healthcare professional, understanding this process is crucial for responsible use and interpreting AI-generated information accurately. Takeaways: Fluency does not equal ac
AI Ethics, Responsibility, and the Role of Humans in the Age of AI with Dr. Joanna Bryson
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Joanna Bryson, professor of Ethics and Technology in Berlin and advisor to organizations including the UN and EU, about what “AI ethics” really means. Dr. Bryson argues it’s not coherent to call AI itself ethical. She argues that the primary concern should be whether and how humans should build and deploy AI and how it may change
AI and Teens: Navigating Mental Health in the Digital Age with Dr. Caroline Figueroa
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde engages with Dr. Caroline Figueroa, who discusses her extensive background in mental health, neuroscience, and AI. They explore how AI tools are being utilized by youth for emotional support, the implications for psychologists, and the importance of involving young people in the design and regulation of these technologies. The conversation high
Wellness AI for College Student Wellbeing with Dr. Ashleigh Golden
In this episode of Beyond the Couch, host Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Ashleigh Golden, a Stanford trained clinical psychologist and co-founder of WayHaven, to explore the transformative role of conversational AI in student wellness.Dr. Golden and Dr. Wayde discuss the upstream model of care: using AI not as a replacement for therapy, but as a proactive tool to help students build social em
What AI Is Doing to Us as Psychologists with Dr. Ernest Wayde
In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde explores the integration of AI in psychology, discussing its practical applications, benefits, and challenges. He emphasizes the importance of ethical use, the impact on cognitive load, and the necessity of validation in AI outputs. The conversation highlights how AI can enhance efficiency in writing and decision-making while also stressing the need for critical t
Will AI Replace Your Therapist? The Future of Mental Health Care
In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Vaile Wright, the inaugural senior director of the Office of Healthcare Innovation at the American Psychological Association. They discuss the intersection of AI and psychology, exploring how technology can improve mental health care, the hesitancy among psychologists to adopt AI tools, and the importance of maintaining human connection in therapy.
When Chatbots Become “Best Friends”: Clinical Implications with Dr. Don Grant
In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde interviews Dr. Don Grant, a media psychologist, about the intersection of AI and mental health. They discuss the implications of AI on socialization, the rise of chatbots, and the potential dangers of relying on AI for mental health support. Dr. Grant emphasizes the importance of understanding technology as a tool, the need for parents and clinicians to engage wit
Navigating AI in Psychology: A New Era
In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde discusses the intersection of AI and psychology, emphasizing the importance of understanding AI's limitations and the irreplaceable aspects of human psychological expertise. He explores the therapeutic relationship, highlighting the differences between human and AI interactions, and introduces the WAYDE AI Three Questions Assessment to help psychologists building
Dirty, Dull, and Dangerous: AI, Exposure Therapy, and the Future of Clinical Practice with Dr. Andrew Sherrill
In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde speaks with Dr. Andrew Sherrill, an Emory psychologist specializing in anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, to explore how AI can support—not replace—clinicians. Dr. Sherrill explains how automation can take on the dirty, dull, and dangerous tasks that bog down therapists, freeing them to focus on empathy and evidence-based care.Drawing from exposure therapy, he offers a power
Psychological Report Writing in the Age of AI: Human Judgment vs. Machine Speed with Dr. Adam Lockwood
What happens when AI can write a psychological report in under two minutes — and licensed psychologists take hours? In this episode of Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology, Dr. Ernest Wayde talks with Dr. Adam Lockwood about the disruptive role of AI in psychological report writing.They explore how AI compares to human-written reports, where clinicians see value and risks, and what this means for th
Navigating AI Ethics in Psychology with Dr. Lindsay Childress-Beatty
In this conversation, Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. Lindsay Childress Beatty explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and psychology, focusing on the ethical implications, the importance of competence, and the evolving role of psychologists in the development and application of AI technologies. They discuss the need for ethical guidelines, the challenges posed by rapid advancements in A
Transforming Clinical Practice with Dr. Dylan Ross
In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. Dylan Ross discuss the integration of AI in psychology and clinical practice. They explore how AI is transforming treatment planning, the role of AI scribes in reducing clinician workload, and the future of AI in mental health. Dr. Ross emphasizes the importance of psychologists in the development of AI tools to ensure quality and safety in mental health c
AI as Your Therapy Assistant: How Technology Can Enhance Mental Health Practice
In this conversation on the Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology Podcast, Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. David Cooper explore the intersection of AI and psychology, discussing how AI can assist therapists in their work, the fears surrounding AI replacing human therapists, and the practical applications of AI in mental health. They emphasize the importance of psychologists being involved in the development
From Skeptic to Daily User: Setting the Stage for AI in Psychology
Welcome to the Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology Podcast!In this inaugural episode of 'Beyond the Couch: AI in Psychology', Dr. Ernest Wayde and Dr. Jeni McCutcheon explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and psychology. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI in mental health practices, the ethical considerations surrounding its use, and the potential future of AI in the field.Dr. McC
AI is transforming psychology. Are you ready?
Join Dr. Ernest Wayde, psychologist and AI strategist, for essential conversations about AI's impact on the field of psychology, clinical care, research, practice and more. No tech background required—just curiosity about the future of our profession.Topics include: Psychology, Clinical AI integration, Research innovation, Ethics, Professional developmentThis show is for Psychologists ready to sha
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