371: AI in Counselling – Have Therapists Been Left Behind?

In episode 371 of the Counselling Tutor podcast, hosts Rory Lees-Oaks and Ken Kelly explore the growing role of AI in counselling, addressing the widespread concern among practitioners that they may be 'left behind' by technological advancement. Ken shares his personal journey of confronting AI’s disruptive potential in 2023, leading him to become Counseling Tutor’s AI lead and author of an upcoming book on Ethical AI Practice for UK therapists. The episode emphasizes that AI is already embedded in everyday tools—email, video platforms, practice management systems—and that therapists cannot opt out of engaging with it. Instead, the focus should be on ethical curiosity, critical thinking, and understanding how AI impacts practice, client care, and professional responsibility. The hosts stress that therapists don’t need to become technologists; they need to uphold ethical foundations, safeguard client data, and remain grounded in human-centered values. The discussion transitions into a practical conversation with therapist Jessica Wing on preparing for a first client, highlighting the emotional weight of this milestone, the importance of relational presence over perfection, and strategies for managing anxiety, self-regulation, and supervision. Finally, the episode delves into the philosophical distinction between humanism and person-centered therapy, using vivid analogies like rain and swimming pools to clarify that humanism is an umbrella philosophy emphasizing growth and personhood, while person-centered therapy is a specific model rooted in congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.