EP42. Dr. Colleen Byrne: AI Obsequiousness, Ethics, & Mental Health

Can generative Artifical Intelligence actulally understand your problems, or is it just mimicking a connection? What are the ethical risks of using AI? Will AI one day replace your therapist? In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Colleen Byrne talk openly about AI to help explore this emerging technology and how people can use it thoughtfully and intentionally for mental health needs—without giving away your agency, or connection to your own self trust and inner voice. About our GuestDr. Colleen Byrne is a Clinical Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she serves as the Director of the Psychology Clinic. Since 2005, Dr. Byrne has served continuously on the Executive Committee for the Association of Psychology Training Clinics (APTC) including a term as President.  Dr. Byrne has been active member of the Maryland Psychological Association, serving 3 terms on the Continuing Education Committee and 3 terms on the Ethics Committee with one term as Chair. Currently she holds professional services roles as Chair of the Council of Chairs of Training Councils (CCTC, 2025-2027) and Chair-Elect of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP, 2023-2027). She holds active licenses in Virginia and Maryland as well as an inter-jurisdictional license through PSYPACT. About the episode:In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Colleen Byrne—two clinical psychologists—talk candidly about AI and mental health, balancing real-world excitement with ethical considerations. Drawing on Dr. Byrne’s expertise in ethics, they explore what it means to use AI responsibly in clinical and everyday life: transparency and consent, the risks of “over-validation” and hallucinated certainty, and the growing question of accountability when technology influences mental health of vulnerable people. They also discuss how AI can shape identity and relationships (especially for adolescents), why human presence still matters in therapy, and what these tools can and can’t replace. They also discuss how to protect inner trust in a world that’s changing fast.“It starts to feel like this AI kind of sees you – but not in the way another human can.” - Dr. Victoria“If you're feeling anxious until you check with AI—that's a red flag.” - Dr. Byrne“Intuition isn't always right—but it's still a form of intelligence.” - Dr. Bryne Episode Highlights00:00 – Introduction: AI enthusiasm meets ethical concern01:42 – Practical uses of AI in clinical and personal workflows04:00 – Entering the world of ethics: real-life dilemmas and learning06:47 – Transparency, consent, and APA’s early AI guidance09:38 – The sycophantic AI: validation, delusion, and self-trust13:00 – Emotional bonds with AI and the risk of human replacement17:35 – Adolescents, identity, and the impact of algorithms21:30 – Comparing AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Bastion, Perplexity25:50 – Human presence in therapy: what AI can’t replicate30:06 – Sentience, consciousness, and what makes us human36:48 – Parenting, protection, and ethical development of AI43:50 – Final reflections: hope, responsibility, and inner trust PODCAST LINKS:✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAXSOCIAL LINKS:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranadeWORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.