Episode 611: The Real Risks of Using Non-Vetted AI Platforms with Client Information

by Evan Dumas | Apr 9, 2026 | Clinician Resources, Podcasts

In our latest episode, we continue our series on AI use within therapy practices by sharing how to explain to your team members why using non-vetted AI platforms is not permissible.

We discuss:

What counts as Protected Health Information and a breakdown of the often misunderstood 18th identifier under HIPAA
How therapy progress notes and clinical notes are inherently identifying
AI re-identification risk and why this is possible
Why AI use involving client information must be vetted and HIPAA compliance-compatible
What happens when you input data into personal AI platforms
What we mean by AI governance, and why personal AI platforms can’t be governed
Why lack of AI governance is a significant liability
Impermissible disclosures under HIPAA
Why proving low probability of compromise is difficult after the fact, and what this means for your ability to mitigate risk
Managing the emotional pieces of identifying risk and risk mitigation in your practice