Flourish or Perish? Clinical Social Work and the Rise of AI Therapy

The rapid integration of Large Language Model (LLM) powered chatbots into therapeutic contexts presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities for clinical social work practice. As companies increasingly market AI companions or stand alone models for mental health support, questions emerge about whether these technologies represent an existential threat to traditional clinical social work or potential tools to enhance service provision. This roundtable brings together researchers and policy experts to examine the ethical, practical, and professional implications of this technological shift. The session will begin with an overview of the current landscape of therapeutic AI applications, examining their capabilities, limitations, and adoption rates across different populations. Panelists will present emerging research on effectiveness, accessibility, and client perceptions of AI-facilitated therapy compared to traditional human interventions. We will explore how these technologies might exacerbate or mitigate existing disparities in mental health service access and quality. Panelists will discuss various strategic responses available to the profession: integration of AI tools into existing practice frameworks, development of regulatory guardrails, or articulation of uniquely human competencies that AI cannot replicate. Drawing from their research and practice experiences, presenters will highlight how clinical social workers might position themselves in this changing landscape while maintaining core professional values and ethics. The roundtable will conclude by identifying critical research gaps, including the need for longitudinal studies on therapeutic outcomes, investigation of client-AI therapeutic alliance formation, and examination of cultural competence in AI therapeutic interactions. We will discuss opportunities for social work researchers to shape the development and implementation of these technologies through interdisciplinary collaborations, policy advocacy, and client-centered research methodologies. Attendees will gain insight into how the profession might respond to this technological disruption while maintaining its commitment to human connection, social justice, and evidence-based practice.