Global Psychology Alliance Releases 10 AI Ethics Principles for Mental Health Practitioners

Psychologists are increasingly integrating AI tools into assessment and therapy, raising questions about oversight, bias, and patient safety. The GPA’s guidance arrives as the British Psychological Society (BPS) highlighted research linking chatbot use to heightened delusional ideation, especially among those with pre‑existing vulnerabilities.

The GPA outlines ten principles covering ethics, professional competence, and access, bias, and inclusion. Dr David Harley, co‑chair of the BPS Cyberpsychology Section, said the guidance "signals an important step for psychologists to take greater responsibility for their AI use in research and therapy." The BPS‑reported study observed an association between AI chatbot exposure and delusional thinking, but it did not establish causation; the study design and sample size were not disclosed in the public summary.

Practitioners should verify that any AI tool complies with local laws, professional codes, and established standards before deployment. They must maintain transparency with clients, conduct regular audits, and seek interdisciplinary collaboration with technologists to mitigate bias and ensure safety. For vulnerable populations, clinicians ought to monitor for changes in belief patterns and consider limiting chatbot use until more robust evidence emerges.