Your privacy and trust are important. This post outlines where AI tools do and don’t fit into my practice. My goal is to have the best toolkit available to help you while prioritizing your confidentiality. If you have any questions or concerns about these tools or my data security practices, please let me know, and I’d be happy to talk about it.

Boundaries and privacy guardrails

• No free or public AI: I never use public, free AI tools or consumer models for anything related to your care. Any cloud-based tool I use operates under a HIPAA-compliant Business Associate Agreement (BAA) through Google Workspace enterprise Gemini, which legally protects data and does not use chats to train the model.

• No AI in EHR and clinical software: I do not use any of the built-in AI features, automated scribes, or generative tools provided by my Electronic Health Records (EHR) platform, Sessions Health. All records, treatment plans, and billing data remain within standard, non-AI electronic health record protections.

• No identifying information: I do not put client names or uniquely identifying details into any AI tool. Clinical prompts use strictly de-identified text observations.

Strict data deletion

My Gemini account is configured to automatically delete all chat history at the shortest allowable time (90 days). On my computer, an automated script runs every week to wipe the history and database of the local formatting tool described below.

Behind-the-scenes uses

• Deliberate practice: I use Gemini as a training tool for my techniques. For instance, I might prompt: “Help me practice microskills related to enactments. Generate example clients and give me feedback on whether I met this skill criteria.” It’s a way to work on my skills without using real client data.

• Translation: I will sometimes use Gemini to help “translate” observations into the standard clinical language required for things such as disability documentation for employers. In these instances, the information I put in the service is de-identified and does not include names. So it might be a prompt such as “Give 3 options for clinical language describing crying uncontrollably and unable to speak”. I check the accuracy of what comes back before including it in anything.

• Local, offline note formatting: For formatting notes, I use a private model running locally on my own encrypted computer rather than sending text across the internet. This tool is entirely offline, is not connected to any external services, and requires me to manually copy, paste, and review text myself. Within this tool, I do not enter client names, dates of service, or use pronouns other than they/them.

• Educational handouts and worksheets: I use Gemini to review educational materials, worksheets, and guides that I draft for practice use. I use it to check for readability, suggest clearer phrasing, and improve organization. These materials are educational, contain no client information, and I review and finalize all content before sharing anything with you.

Optional between-session tools

If you use AI, I can help you generate deliberate practice exercises similar to what I describe above. We can talk about guardrails, possible prompts and appropriate usage in session. This is entirely optional and led by your interest. If you do not use AI, this will play no part in our work together.

Last updated: 2026-11-02