Human Touch vs. Tech Talk: Mental Health Clinicians' Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Systemic Practice

As artificial intelligence (AI) based tools increasingly enter mental health care, clinicians face new possibilities alongside significant ethical, relational, and professional concerns. Yet limited empirical research has examined clinicians' perspectives on AI within systemic practice. This convergent mixed-methods study examined familiarity, use, perceived benefits and risks, ethical and relational concerns, and training needs among 89 practicing mental health professionals in the United States. Approximately half of respondents reported using AI professionally, with notetaking and transcription representing the most frequently reported applications. Findings reflect conditional acceptance of AI with greater perceived value for clinician support and greater concern when AI might compromise professional judgment, confidentiality, contextual understanding, or human connection. Findings also underscore the need for ethically grounded, relationally informed, and systematically responsive AI integration.