By Ram Krishnan, CEO, Valant
LinkedIn: Ram Krishnan
LinkedIn: Valant
AI is quickly changing the field of healthcare, including behavioral health. From making clinical notes more efficient to supporting diagnosis and treatment plans, AI offers a wide variety of new capabilities for providers. However, despite its potential benefits, AI raises concerns about data privacy, ethical considerations, and potential impact on the human element of care.
When it comes to behavioral health, the pace of adoption is a bit more measured. While AI tools are being embraced in many clinical settings, behavioral health professionals seem to be taking a more cautious approach.
According to a recent Valant survey, only 33% of behavioral health providers said they’re currently using AI in their work. This is lower compared to a 2024 American Medical Association survey that reported that two-thirds of physicians (66%) are using AI at their practice. So, while AI usage is increasing at behavioral health practices, it isn’t yet as prevalent.
That said, interest in AI is strong and growing. Half of the behavioral health professionals surveyed said they’re reading about AI in the field at least once a week, and 80% said they’d be open to participating in further AI-related research. This shows a growing interest for understanding how AI could be integrated into behavioral health practices, even among those who haven’t adopted it yet.
So, what’s holding people back?
The biggest sticking point, by far, is data privacy and security. A full 98% of respondents who aren’t using AI tools marked it as a very important concern—ranking it even higher than understanding how the tools work, whether they’re effective, how to get trained, or even cost. In behavioral health, where patient trust and confidentiality are critical, this isn’t surprising. Providers want to be sure that their patients’ sensitive data is secure before they add additional technologies to the mix.
Looking at who’s leading the charge, behavioral health owners and directors reported the highest rates of AI adoption, followed by administrative staff like billers. On the clinical side, psychiatry professionals reported using AI more often than their therapy and psychology counterparts—by about 8%. Interestingly, those in therapy and psychology roles also reported feeling more uncertain about whether or not they’re even using AI. This could suggest a need for clearer communication and training around what counts as “AI” in practice.
When comparing the perspectives of those who are using AI and those who aren’t, one major difference stood out: how they perceive its impact. Users of AI tools tended to see them as having a positive effect, especially on patient care quality. In contrast, those who aren’t using AI were more skeptical and even saw its potential impact on care as negative. Still, both groups agreed that AI is most helpful when it comes to reducing administrative tasks, particularly when it comes to reducing administrative burden or offloading tasks like clinical documentation, which can be a time-consuming part of clinical work.
Having strong AI policies in place is critical for providers as adoption increases. Without a policy in place, some providers are likely using AI on their own terms. Even for solo practices, having a policy can help a provider confidently use AI tools.
As AI in behavioral health rapidly evolves, it presents unique challenges and opportunities. By adopting a methodical, research-first approach, behavioral health can harness its potential to improve care while safeguarding privacy and preserving the human connection so vital to patient outcomes.
Continued research, open dialogue, and collaborative efforts between clinicians, developers, and policymakers are essential to navigate the complex landscape of AI in behavioral health and ensure its responsible integration.