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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world of healthcare—and therapy is no exception. AI agents are increasingly recognized as key tools for supporting professionals in speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, psychomotor therapy, and special education. But what exactly are AI agents, and how can you integrate them into your own therapeutic practice for maximum benefit? What Are AI Agents? An AI agent is a computer program equipped to make autonomous decisions using advanced algorithms and learning from data. Unlike traditional software, which only follows pre-set instructions, AI agents can observe, interpret, and adapt their responses in real time. In therapy, these agents range from simple chatbots that answer client queries to sophisticated tools capable of analyzing patient data, personalizing interventions, and even assisting with diagnosis and progress monitoring. Key features of AI agents include: How AI Agents Are Revolutionizing Therapy 1. Speech Therapists (SLPs) AI-powered tools are transforming both the efficiency and quality of speech therapy: 2. Occupational Therapists (OTs) AI solutions help OTs face common challenges: paperwork overload, varied caseloads, and individualized care demands. 3. Psychologists and Psychomotor Therapists AI agents assist psychologists by: 4. Special Educators Special educators face growing needs for tailored, real-time supports. Agentic AI systems in education: How to Benefit from AI Agents in Your Practice Final Thoughts AI agents are not here to replace therapists—they enhance what you do best. They offer speed, accuracy, and meaningful support with routine tasks, letting professionals focus on the unpredictable, deeply human elements of care. Whether you are a SLP, OT, psychologist, psychomotor therapist, or special educator, integrating AI agents can help you improve client outcomes, reduce burnout, and make your practice more responsive in a digital, data-driven future. If you want to create and customize your own AI agents to better support your therapeutic practice, check out our comprehensive courses designed specifically for therapists and educators 

Introducing Generative AI Chatbots: Transforming Mental Health Support Generative AI therapy chatbots are marking a significant milestone in mental health care by offering personalized, dynamic interactions. Unlike older rule-based systems, these advanced chatbots engage in fluid, open-ended conversations capable of handling complex and co-occurring mental health conditions. Leading this innovative wave is Therabot, a pioneering digital therapeutic developed by Dartmouth researchers using generative AI for mental health interventions. Clinical Success: Therabot’s Impact on Depression, Anxiety, and Eating Disorders In clinical settings, Therabot has shown impressive outcomes. Over four weeks, users exhibited significant reductions in symptoms: 51% for depression, 31% for anxiety, and 19% for eating disorders. These results rival those of human therapy. Importantly, users reported developing a trusting relationship with the chatbot similar to what they experience with human therapists, underscoring its potential for fostering therapeutic engagement. Promise and Challenges: What AI Therapy Chatbots Mean for Mental Health Professionals For therapists, generative AI chatbots represent both opportunity and challenge. They could dramatically expand access to mental health services amid a global provider shortage, serving as round-the-clock support. However, risks such as AI hallucinations—where chatbots generate false or misleading information—highlight the critical need for stringent ethical and safety measures. Given their current limitations in handling high-risk situations, human oversight remains essential. Complementing Human Therapists: Practical Roles for AI Chatbots Rather than replacing clinicians, AI chatbots are best seen as complementary tools that can reduce professional burdens and enhance patient engagement. They can handle routine check-ins, reinforce therapeutic goals, and provide support when therapists are unavailable. Future improvements should target enhanced memory, therapeutic guidance, and realistic interactions to ensure chatbots offer safe and effective therapeutic experiences. User Perspectives: AI Chatbots as Emotional Sanctuaries Users often describe generative AI chatbots as emotional refuges that provide insightful guidance, especially for relationship issues or emotional distress. The accessibility and nonjudgmental nature of chatbots make them appealing for those hesitant about traditional therapy. Yet, users express a desire for chatbots to better remember past conversations and personalize responses more deeply to build ongoing trust. Looking Forward: Blending AI and Human Care for Expanded Access The integration of generative AI therapy chatbots is poised to transform mental health services by expanding reach, reducing wait times, and providing support beyond traditional hours. Mental health professionals must engage actively with these technologies to ensure ethical, safe, and effective implementation within blended care models that combine human expertise with AI innovation. Conclusion: Unlocking the Potential of AI in Mental Health Care Generative AI therapy chatbots offer transformative potential by merging technological advances with psychological insight. Ongoing collaboration among developers, clinicians, and users is vital to keep these tools human-centered, equitable, and clinically sound. This synergy promises new avenues for accessible and responsive mental health care in the digital age.

OpenAI’s o3 and o4-mini models, along with their upcoming successors, are reshaping practice for therapists, special educators, and allied health professionals with capabilities that extend far beyond traditional chatbots. Now, these models serve as true digital agents—autonomously managing multi-step, real-world tasks using an integrated suite of tools. What’s New: ChatGPT Agent Brings Unified Tool Autonomy OpenAI’s latest agentic platform empowers users to delegate full workflows, not just single answers. The ChatGPT agent can: Key Features for Therapy and Education Workflows 1. Intelligent Tool Autonomy 2. Advanced Reasoning and Synthesis 3. Enhanced Memory & Real-Time Knowledge Updating 4. Visual Reasoning and Generation 5. Creative Resource Generation 6. Seamless Collaboration and Integration Transforming Daily Practice Across Roles Discipline AI-Enabled Use Cases Speech Therapists Real-time AAC resource design, progress tracking, auto-documentation Occupational Therapists Sensory plan creation, assistive device recs, integrative data views Psychologists Rapid literature synthesis, report generation, mood tracker analytics Psychomotor Therapists Custom play-based programs, motor progress visuals, movement analysis Special Educators IEP progress dashboards, personalized lesson planning, multilingual material design Key Benefits Powered by Real-World Agentic Innovation OpenAI’s agentic upgrades reflect a leap in practical usefulness across professional and personal workflows. Agents can now: All actions remain transparent and user-controlled, with the agent prompting for permission before impactful steps—safeguarding data and minimizing risk. Curious how this could transform your work? Discover specific use cases and hands-on tips in our full article, and explore how agentic AI is already enhancing daily practice for care teams and educators. https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-agent

In the ever-evolving field of therapy, clinicians across disciplines are now embracing exciting opportunities brought by technology. Administrative tasks are becoming lighter, caseloads more manageable, and the renewed focus on compassionate mental health care is within reach. 2025 marks a groundbreaking era, as technology-driven solutions revolutionize how therapists work, collaborate, and care for their patients. Today, therapists benefit from digital allies that turn paperwork and complex care logistics into manageable, streamlined processes. Advanced technologies—especially those powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive digital platforms—are forging more efficient workflows, refining clinical insights, and broadening the impact of therapy. The result: clinicians can focus on delivering truly personalized care. AI-Powered Scribes: From Paperwork to Patient CareAI-powered scribes such as Mentalyc, Upheal, and Supanote AI are empowering both solo and group practices by automating session transcription and clinical note-taking. These tools not only minimize the hours spent on documentation but ensure that records remain precise and complete. Therapists are enjoying reduced mental fatigue and greater reliability in their notes, allowing more attention for client connection and individualized support. Facial and Voice Recognition: Objective Insight into Mental StatesWith AI scribes lifting the burden of paperwork, facial and voice recognition analytics bring new depth to client assessments. These systems analyze micro-expressions and vocal biomarkers, helping therapists notice subtle changes in emotion or cognition early on. This empowers therapists to deliver timely, tailored interventions and promotes even better outcomes for clients. Wearable Monitoring Devices: Proactive, Responsive CareWearable devices, from smartwatches to biosensor bands, now give therapists continuous insight into client well-being between sessions. With around-the-clock data on key health indicators, therapists can intervene proactively, supporting mental health and neurorehabilitation with greater safety and responsiveness. Virtual and Mixed Reality Therapies: Immersive Healing EnvironmentsVirtual and mixed reality therapies are transforming the healing experience. These platforms provide safe, controlled environments for clients to process trauma, practice social skills, or build coping strategies. For those with PTSD or neurodiverse needs, immersive tech is opening doors to resilience and progress once thought out of reach. Integrative Platforms: Data Analytics and Care CoordinationSophisticated care coordination and data analytics tools anchor this transformation. By bringing together health records and treatment plans, and streamlining communication among multidisciplinary teams, these platforms make truly data-driven, collaborative care a reality. The Future Is Collaborative, Personalized, and Data-DrivenThe 2025 therapy landscape is filled with possibility. With AI-powered tools simplifying administration and immersive therapies deepening healing, therapists are free to engage more fully with their clients and professional development. Early technology adopters are finding not just lower burnout, but greater satisfaction and enhanced outcomes. The greatest promise is in cross-disciplinary collaboration: when clinicians, technologists, and patients join forces, innovation flourishes, and the collective impact on mental health soars. Pro Tip: For therapists ready to embrace change, start with one new tool—perhaps an AI scribe to ease documentation—and add more solutions as you grow comfortable. Step by step, your workflow and the care you deliver will become even more effective and rewarding. As digital transformation accelerates, one thing is certain: the future of mental health care will be even more efficient, empathetic, and impactful for all.

Elon Musk’s Warnings and What It Means for Therapists AI’s Expanding Role Across Industries Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how work is done across multiple sectors. From logistics to legal work, AI is automating routine tasks, raising both opportunities and concerns. Elon Musk has been one of the most outspoken voices predicting a future where AI may replace most human jobs. Key Areas Impacted: Elon Musk’s Vision of the Future of Work Musk predicts that eventually, “probably none of us will have a job,” envisioning a world where AI and robotics handle all production and services. In this future, humans may work only by choice—not necessity—and society could transition to a system of “universal high income”, where basic needs are met regardless of employment status. Key Predictions: What Does This Mean for Therapists? 1. AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement While AI is reshaping therapy—automating notes, analyzing speech patterns, or offering chatbot support—the human element remains irreplaceable: 2. How Therapists Can Adapt AI’s Role in Therapy Human Therapist’s Unique Value Automates paperwork and scheduling Builds trust and therapeutic alliance Analyzes trends in client data Provides empathy and ethical guidance Offers virtual support (e.g., chatbots) Delivers creative, personalized care Assists in training and supervision Makes complex, context-based decisions 3. The Future: Collaboration, Not Competition The Bottom Line AI is reshaping the workforce at an unprecedented pace. Elon Musk’s predictions underscore both the scale of disruption and the potential for transformation. For therapists, this moment calls for embracing AI as an assistive tool—while doubling down on the deeply human skills that machines cannot replicate. The future of therapy will be defined not by technology alone, but by the partnership between intelligent tools and human empathy. What’s your take on this future?Is AI a threat, a tool, or both?How do we prepare for a world where therapy may be delivered alongside—or even partially by—AI? Let’s start the conversation.

Grok 4: The New Benchmark in AI Grok 4, developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, is being hailed as the most advanced AI model in the world. Its release marks a leap forward in artificial intelligence, with features and performance that set it apart from rivals like OpenAI’s GPT-4, Google’s Gemini 2.5, and Anthropic’s Claude Opus. Key Features That Set Grok 4 Apart Unmatched Reasoning and Problem Solving Grok 4 demonstrates postgraduate-level intelligence across all academic disciplines. Elon Musk emphasized during the launch that Grok 4 “surpasses PhD standards in every discipline—without exception.” It excels in complex reasoning, STEM tasks, and even real-world engineering problems that can’t be answered with a simple web search. Massive Context Window With a 256,000-token context window—double that of its predecessor—Grok 4 can process and analyze vast amounts of information at once. This enables deep analysis, long-form content generation, and intricate problem-solving that other models struggle to match. Multimodal and Real-Time Capabilities Grok 4 processes both text and images and is set to expand to video and audio. Its DeepSearch tool allows real-time access to live data, especially from X (formerly Twitter), ensuring answers are always current and relevant. Multi-Agent Collaboration (Grok 4 Heavy) The “Heavy” version of Grok 4 can run multiple AI agents in parallel, debating and refining answers for maximum accuracy. This multi-agent orchestration is unique among commercial AIs and significantly boosts performance on complex tasks. Superior Benchmark Performance Grok 4 leads on industry benchmarks like: Grok 4 Heavy scored 50.7% on HLE with tools, more than double the best prior tool-free model scores. Always-On Reasoning and Structured Outputs Grok 4 is a “reasoning-first” model. It breaks down queries into sub-steps, processes them deliberately, and generates structured, evidence-based responses, especially for complex or technical queries. Enterprise-Grade Security and Integration With robust security protocols and integration-ready APIs, Grok 4 is tailored for sectors that demand precision, privacy, and reliability—especially healthcare, finance, education, and research. Elon Musk’s Highlights and xAI’s Mission Elon Musk’s Vision Musk described existing AI systems as “primitive” and not fit for serious enterprise or scientific use. He claims Grok 4 is the first to achieve “Big Bang Intelligence”—capable of solving problems that go beyond book knowledge or search engine scraping. It’s also designed to understand internet culture, memes, humor, and real-world nuance. xAI: The Company Behind Grok 4 Founded by Elon Musk, xAI aims to create maximally truth-seeking AI. Their infrastructure includes a 200,000-GPU supercomputer (Colossus) and innovative training methods focused on reinforcement learning and cross-domain understanding. These systems form the backbone of Grok 4’s performance. How Grok 4 Stands Ahead of Other AIs Feature Grok 4 GPT-4 / Gemini 2.5 / Claude Opus Context Window 256,000 tokens Up to 128,000 tokens Multimodal Input Text, image (video soon) Text, image (video in beta) Real-Time Web Search DeepSearch + X Integration Limited or delayed Multi-Agent Reasoning Yes (Heavy version) No Benchmark Leadership #1 on HLE, ARC AGI2 Lower scores Always-On Reasoning Yes Not always enabled Enterprise Integration Yes, with secure deployment Varies by provider The Bottom Line Grok 4 is not just another AI upgrade—it’s a transformative leap, shaped by Elon Musk’s vision and xAI’s technical depth. With powerful reasoning, a vast memory span, real-time internet access, and a debate-style multi-agent architecture, Grok 4 is setting a new gold standard for AI in research, business, healthcare, and education. Learn more or try Grok 4 for yourself:https://grok.x.ai 💬 What do you think about Grok 4? Do you see it as a helpful tool for therapy, education, and research—or are we moving faster than ethical, clinical, or educational frameworks can handle?We’d love to hear your reflections!

In 2025, therapist burnout is no longer a background issue—it’s front and center. Long hours, rising caseloads, and growing documentation demands have left professionals across disciplines struggling to maintain balance. Whether in schools, clinics, hospitals, or home settings, many therapists find themselves spending more time on paperwork and planning than on actual client care. This growing administrative load impacts not only therapists’ well-being but also the consistency and quality of support clients receive. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to offer real relief. When thoughtfully integrated, AI tools can streamline the most time-consuming tasks—freeing therapists to focus on what truly matters: connection, intervention, and outcomes. Below are three AI tools making a measurable difference, with examples that apply across settings and disciplines. 1. SLPToolkit’s Smart Goals Generator: Faster, Focused IEP Writing Writing individualized, measurable goals is a cornerstone of therapy—but also one of the most repetitive and draining parts of the job. SLPToolkit’s Smart Goals Generator uses AI to suggest developmentally appropriate, goal-aligned statements based on client needs and clinical input. Instead of starting from scratch, therapists receive a structured goal template that can be quickly customized and approved. This not only saves time but also ensures that goals remain SMART—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. “Before using this tool, I would spend hours writing goals for each client. Now, I start with a clear draft and spend my energy personalizing, not formatting.” General Applications Across Roles: 2. ChatGPT for SOAP Notes: Structured Documentation in Minutes Clinical documentation is essential—but often exhausting. Writing clear, structured SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) can take up a major portion of a therapist’s day, especially when working with back-to-back sessions. ChatGPT can help by transforming quick session summaries or bullet-point notes into well-structured clinical documentation. Therapists input short, factual descriptions of what occurred during the session, and the AI generates a draft that can be reviewed, edited, and saved. “It’s like having a reliable first-draft assistant. I still edit, but I no longer start from a blank page.” General Applications Across Roles: 3. Eduaide.ai and Curipod: Efficient Session Planning and Communication Planning engaging, evidence-based sessions is essential—but takes time many professionals don’t have. Eduaide.ai and Curipod help generate developmentally appropriate activities, visual supports, and even handouts for parents or caregivers. With Eduaide.ai, therapists simply input a skill or goal (e.g., “working memory in school-aged children”) and receive structured session plans with differentiated activities and visuals. Curipod takes this further by offering editable slide decks, quizzes, and interactive prompts perfect for group work or psychoeducation. “What used to take me two hours to prep now takes thirty minutes—and the quality is actually better.” General Applications Across Roles: Why These Tools Matter Across Disciplines AI isn’t just for tech-savvy professionals—it’s becoming a vital support across therapy and education. Whether you’re writing behavior goals, documenting a sensory-motor session, or planning a group intervention, these tools offer: Most importantly, they allow therapists to spend more time in real therapeutic work and less time buried in administrative tasks. Final Thoughts: Reclaiming Time for What Matters Most AI will never replace the empathy, expertise, or relational power of a therapist. But it can serve as a quiet co-pilot—handling the repetitive groundwork so clinicians can focus on high-impact work. Whether you’re working in early intervention, school-based support, outpatient rehab, or mental health—these tools are designed to reduce overload, not add to it. As burnout becomes an increasingly common reality in helping professions, AI may offer part of the solution: a way to reclaim time, increase precision, and bring balance back into our work. Recommended Tools

In a groundbreaking move, Google has launched a free AI-powered school system through its Gemini platform, embedded within Workspace for Education. This initiative offers teachers access to intelligent tools that support student learning through real-time feedback, adaptive study guides, and interactive project assistance—all designed with strict privacy controls and administrative oversight. Unlike other education tech solutions, this system isn’t just about automation—it’s about personalization. Gemini-powered AI can serve as a one-on-one mentor, guiding students through tasks like reading comprehension, science projects, revision plans, and even emotional regulation check-ins. Its potential for inclusive education—especially for students with special educational needs (SEN)—is unprecedented. Personalized AI Mentorship for SEN Learners This AI system can adapt to diverse student profiles, creating differentiated pathways for students who face cognitive, emotional, or learning challenges. For example: By enabling customized interactions, Gemini reduces the burden on teachers while enhancing equity in learning access—especially important in inclusive or resource-limited settings. What This Means for School-Based Therapists This is not just a tech tool—it’s an opportunity for therapy teams to embed their expertise into classroom learning without overextending themselves. Here’s how therapists across disciplines can collaborate with educators using the Gemini system: In essence, AI becomes a scalable extension of the therapy team’s support—available throughout the school day. Curriculum and Inclusion Implications Google’s AI system could accelerate the shift from one-size-fits-all curricula toward responsive, flexible education. Teachers using Gemini can: For example, a reading task can be modified into a visual sequencing activity for students with executive function challenges, or a science lesson can embed motor planning supports for students with coordination difficulties. These adaptations, once time-intensive, can now be generated efficiently and consistently through AI. Challenges and Considerations While the system’s potential is high, responsible implementation is critical. Key considerations include: Equity must remain a focus—ensuring that schools with fewer resources can also benefit from this technology without being left behind. Conclusion: A Turning Point for Inclusive Education Google’s Gemini-powered classroom AI marks a paradigm shift—not only in how we use technology in education, but in how we support neurodiverse learners. For therapists, it represents a chance to embed support more deeply into everyday learning without multiplying their workload. For schools, it offers a scalable, secure, and ethical model for individualized education. This is more than just tech adoption—it’s a reimagining of what inclusive education can look like when therapists, teachers, and AI collaborate to serve every learner. Reference Google Workspace for Education Launch: Gemini in Education @ ISTE 2025https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/gemini-iste-2025/

AI’s Leap from Hype to Healthcare Standard Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just an emerging concept—it’s now a regulated, practical tool in healthcare. In 2025, regulatory bodies and professional organizations are setting clear expectations for AI’s role in clinical practice. These changes are especially relevant for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), psychologists, and psychomotor therapists, many of whom are already using AI-powered tools in therapy. Two recent events—the FDA’s launch of Elsa, its first agency-wide AI tool, and the AMA’s call for “explainable AI”—are now shaping how therapists approach AI in daily practice. Elsa: The FDA’s New AI Tool The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched Elsa, a generative AI tool designed to modernize internal workflows. Built on a large language model and deployed within a secure GovCloud environment, Elsa helps FDA staff read, write, summarize, and analyze data-heavy documents. Elsa does not train on industry-submitted data, protecting proprietary and sensitive information (FDA, 2025a). Elsa’s functions include summarizing adverse event reports, accelerating clinical protocol reviews, automating label comparisons, generating code for internal databases, and identifying priority inspection targets. Tasks that once took days can now be completed in minutes, freeing staff for higher-level evaluations (FDA, 2025b). Elsa’s successful, ahead-of-schedule rollout is a real-world example of how AI can handle administrative complexity while maintaining high standards of security and reliability (Hogan Lovells, 2025). The AMA and Explainable AI Alongside Elsa’s debut, the American Medical Association (AMA) has introduced new guidance emphasizing “explainable AI.” This means AI systems must clearly articulate how they arrive at specific recommendations, predictions, or alerts (Healthcare Brew, 2025). For therapists, this is crucial: explainability ensures clinicians can interpret AI-generated insights, communicate them transparently to clients and families, and make informed decisions rooted in professional accountability. AI in Physical Therapy: Real-Time, Personalized, and Predictive Care AI is fundamentally transforming physical therapy, making rehabilitation smarter, faster, and more accessible. Here’s how: Best Practice Recommendations for PTs and All Therapists Conclusion: A Turning Point in Physical Therapy and Beyond Elsa’s launch and the AMA’s new standards mark a significant shift in how AI is integrated into therapy and healthcare. For physical therapists, AI now offers real-time analysis, personalized care, predictive insights, and streamlined operations—enhancing outcomes while upholding the human connection at the heart of therapy. By selecting explainable, privacy-conscious tools and applying clinical reasoning, PTs and all therapists can safely integrate AI as a trusted partner in modern rehabilitation. References American Psychological Association. (2025, January). Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. Business of AI in Healthcare. (2024, August 13). AI in physical therapy: Human movement analysis. EmpowerEMR. (2025, February 12). Artificial intelligence in physical therapy: Impact & applications. FDA. (2025a, June 2). FDA launches agency-wide AI tool to optimize performance for the American people. FDA. (2025b, June 3). FDA launches “Elsa” AI tool to aid drug approvals. Healthcare Brew. (2025, June 24). AI 411: June 2025. Hogan Lovells. (2025, June 12). FDA launches “Elsa” AI tool to aid drug approvals. Net Health. (2024, October 21). AI in physical therapy: The future of operations and patient care. Sali, S., Mavani, R., & Kaelin, M. (2025). Revolutionizing rehabilitation: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of occupational therapy. Florida Occupational Therapy Association. ShadhinLab. (2025, March 3). How AI in physical therapy is transforming rehabilitation in 2025. SPRY PT. (2025, June 20). 2025 advancements in physical therapy: AI, VR & robotic tech. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. (2025, April). AI for speech therapy: Enhancing speech-language pathology training.

Introduction: AI’s Expanding Role in Therapy Artificial intelligence (AI), especially large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, is rapidly reshaping the landscape of healthcare and therapy. From generating therapy materials and automating documentation to providing real-time feedback and supporting client communication, AI promises greater efficiency, personalization, and accessibility for practitioners across speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, and psychomotor therapy. However, as AI becomes more embedded in daily practice, emerging research urges therapists to consider not just the practical benefits, but also the cognitive and clinical implications for both therapists and clients (Kosmyna et al., 2024). Cognitive Engagement: What Happens When We Use AI? Recent experimental research has shown that the way therapists and clients interact with AI tools can significantly affect cognitive engagement and learning outcomes. In a study by Kosmyna et al. (2024), participants were assigned to write essays using either only their own knowledge, a traditional search engine, or an LLM like ChatGPT. EEG brain activity was measured, and participants were interviewed about memory, ownership, and satisfaction with their work. The findings reveal that those who relied on LLMs exhibited the weakest neural connectivity, particularly in brain regions involved in memory, attention, and deep processing. By contrast, participants who used only their own brains demonstrated the strongest, most widespread brain activity, while those using search engines were intermediate. This suggests that LLMs, while effective at reducing immediate cognitive load and making tasks feel easier, may also encourage more passive engagement and less deep processing of information (Kosmyna et al., 2024; Sweller, 2011). Moreover, LLM users reported lower ownership over their work and struggled to recall or quote from their essays, compared to those who used search engines or worked unaided. This impaired memory and reduced sense of authorship may have important implications for therapy, where engagement, self-reflection, and memory are central to progress and learning (Kosmyna et al., 2024). Clinical Implications for Therapy Disciplines For Speech and Language Therapists:AI can generate prompts, exercises, and language models for clients, but over-reliance on these tools may reduce clients’ active participation and expressive language development. The process of generating one’s own ideas and sentences is crucial for language acquisition and memory formation (Kosmyna et al., 2024; Yang et al., 2024). For Occupational and Physical Therapists:AI is increasingly used in physical therapy for movement analysis, remote monitoring, and personalized exercise planning. Wearable sensors and AI-driven platforms can track gait, range of motion, and exercise adherence, providing real-time feedback and automating progress documentation. However, optimal motor learning and transfer to daily life require clients to be actively involved in planning, reflection, and problem-solving. Passive following of AI-generated routines may not engage the cognitive and motor systems as robustly as therapist-guided or self-directed activities (Sweller, 2011). For example, a PT might use AI to suggest a progression of exercises, but the best outcomes occur when clients set goals, reflect on their progress, and adapt routines in collaboration with their therapist. For Psychologists and Psychomotor Therapists:AI tools can assist with psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and emotional support. However, therapists must be vigilant about “cognitive offloading”—the tendency to let AI do the thinking, which can diminish clients’ critical thinking, emotional processing, and self-reflection (Kosmyna et al., 2024; Yang et al., 2024). For All Disciplines:AI-generated documentation and treatment plans can save time, but therapists may feel less connected to these records and may struggle to recall details later. This can impact continuity of care, clinical judgment, and professional satisfaction. Furthermore, the homogenization of AI-generated content risks undermining the creativity and individualized care that are hallmarks of effective therapy (Kosmyna et al., 2024; Niloy et al., 2024). Balancing Benefits and Cognitive Risks AI tools offer clear advantages: they reduce extraneous cognitive load, streamline information retrieval, and can increase productivity (Kosmyna et al., 2024; Sweller, 2011). For PTs, this means more efficient data collection, progress tracking, and even predictive analytics for injury risk or recovery. However, these benefits come with trade-offs. Lower cognitive effort may lead to less deep engagement, weaker memory encoding, and reduced development of problem-solving skills. Studies in educational settings have found that students using AI for writing or programming tasks perform worse on measures of long-term learning, self-efficacy, and creative thinking compared to those using traditional methods (Yang et al., 2024; Niloy et al., 2024). Moreover, the tendency for AI-generated outputs to be more similar to each other—less diverse in language and thought—may limit the range of perspectives and approaches explored in therapy. This is especially concerning in fields that value creativity, individualized care, and holistic understanding of clients (Kosmyna et al., 2024). Practical Recommendations for Therapists Conclusion: Navigating the AI Era in Therapy AI is a powerful tool for therapists, including PTs, but it is not a replacement for the human mind or the therapeutic relationship. The latest research demonstrates that while AI can make tasks easier and more efficient, it may also reduce cognitive engagement, memory, and creativity if overused or used uncritically. Therapists across all disciplines must strive for a thoughtful balance—leveraging AI’s strengths while actively protecting the cognitive, creative, and relational skills that define effective therapy. By doing so, both therapists and clients can continue to grow, learn, and thrive in an increasingly AI-augmented world. References Kosmyna, N., Hauptmann, E., Yuan, Y. T., Situ, J., Liao, X.-H., Beresnitzky, A. V., Braunstein, I., & Maes, P. (2024). Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task. MIT Media Lab. Sweller, J. (2011). Cognitive Load Theory. Psychology of Learning and Motivation, 55, 37-76. Yang, S., Li, J., & Chen, X. (2024). The Impact of ChatGPT on Student Learning: Evidence from a Programming Course. Computers & Education, 205, 104889. Niloy, S., Rahman, M., & Sultana, S. (2024). Effects of ChatGPT on Creative Writing Skills among College Students. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange, 17(1), 15-28.