Gavazzi, J. (2025, December).
Psychotherapy Bulletin, 61(1).
Clinical Impact Statement
The responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the practice of psychology requires that it functions strictly as a tool for human psychologists who must retain ultimate accountability for all clinical decisions. AI systems cannot replace empathy, judgment, and professional responsibility, which form the foundation of high-quality psychological care.
This article builds on previous arguments (Gavazzi, 2025a; Gavazzi, 2025b) stating that although AI technologies are rapidly advancing, they cannot replace human psychologists performing psychotherapy; this is simply the result of evolutionary advantages in humans across social, emotional, and cognitive domains that are essential for therapeutic interactions. In addition, these systems are unlikely to replace psychologists in the foreseeable future for practical reasons. Legal, ethical, and clinical barriers— particularly those involving state licensing, clinical judgments, forensic considerations, and accountability—make the deployment of autonomous systems in therapeutic settings impractical and potentially dangerous. This article presents key structural and philosophical reasons why human oversight and involvement remain essential in psychological practice.
