20 Hours / 20 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Therapy in the AI Era is presented by Donna Sheperis, PhD.

This “At the Forefront” continuing education program offers mental health professionals a practical exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming therapy and clinical training. Participants examine key applications of AI in practice—from AI-driven “co-therapist” tools (such as chatbots and decision-support algorithms that augment clinical interventions) to software that automates documentation and administrative tasks to enhance efficiency. 

The program also explores strategies for teaching with and about AI in clinical training programs, ensuring these technologies are integrated in ways that support learning and skill development without compromising educational integrity. Ethical and competency considerations are emphasized, including best practices for protecting patient privacy and data, as well as effectively communicating the use and limits of AI tools to both clients and trainees. By the end of the program, clinicians are better prepared to harness the benefits of AI in therapy while upholding professional ethics, patient trust, and high standards of care.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe practical ways AI can be utilized in clinical practice and training
  • 2 Describe ethical decision-making frameworks to AI integration in therapy by effectively navigating issues inherent in this work
  • 3 Describe the capabilities and limitations of AI tools in clinical practice and training

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health professionals, supervisors, and educators across all specialty areas, with a primary focus on those engaged in clinical practice. It is designed to support individuals seeking to integrate AI into their clinical and educational work.

  • Experience Level

    This program is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who are interested in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice and training.

    • Beginner: New to AI in mental health; seeking foundational knowledge of AI concepts, applications, and ethical considerations in therapy and clinical education.
    • Intermediate: Familiar with basic AI tools or concepts; looking to deepen understanding of practical implementation, ethical frameworks, and effective communication about AI with clients and trainees.
    • Advanced: Experienced in using or teaching about AI in clinical settings; interested in advanced strategies for integrating AI into supervision, optimizing clinical workflows, and addressing complex ethical and competency issues.

  • Practice Setting

    Participants in this training typically work in diverse mental health and educational environments where clinical care, supervision, and teaching intersect. These settings are characterized by direct client interaction, collaborative team-based care, and ongoing professional development. The environments may range from outpatient clinics and private practices to academic institutions and training centers, where professionals are responsible for delivering therapy, supervising trainees, or educating future clinicians. These settings often incorporate technology to support clinical documentation, case management, and educational activities, making them well-suited for the integration of AI tools to enhance both clinical and educational outcomes.

Presented By

Donna Sheperis, PhD, Full Professor at Palo Alto University and Director of the eClinic

Donna Sheperis, PhD. joined PAU in 2016 and currently serves as a Full Professor, Associate Chair, Chair of the PAU Faculty Senate, Co-Chair of the PAU Institutional Review Board, and Director of the PAU eClinic. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Mississippi and her Masters in Counseling from Delta State University. Donna has taught land-based and online programs since 2000. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Mississippi and Texas; a Board Certified Counselor; a Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor; an Approved Clinical Supervisor; and a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider with 30 years of experience in clinical mental health counseling settings. Dr. Donna Sheperis is active in the counseling profession. She is past president of the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling and on the Ethics Appeals Committee for the American Counseling Association. She serves on the ACA Ethical Appeals Committee. Previously, Donna served as chair of the ACA Ethics Committee. She also serves on the Ethics and Bylaws committees for the Association for Humanistic Counseling and the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. She is active in scholarship and research as well with multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she has authored multiple book chapters and textbooks including Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Fundamentals of Applied Practice for Pearson Publishing; Ethical Decision Making for the 21st Century Counselor for SAGE Publishing; and Foundations of Substance Use and Addiction Counseling: Principles and Applied Practice for Cognella Publishing (in press).

View More Programs from this Presenter
Donna Sheperis, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Overview of AI in Mental Health

  • AI as a Co-Therapist

  • AI for Clinical Efficiency

  • AI in Clinical Education and Supervision

  • Ethical Considerations

  • Clinical and Technological Competency

  • Practical Implementation Strategies

  • Communicating with Clients and Trainees About AI

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.