California legislation on AI in therapy
California has adopted a law establishing specific restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy, reflecting growing efforts to address how AI tools interact with licensed professional practice. The law prohibits licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, educational psychologists, and professional clinical counselors from using generative AI to provide psychotherapy or independently make clinical decisions, including decisions about diagnosis, treatment, or patient care. AI may be used for administrative and supportive functions, such as scheduling, documentation, and other tasks that do not involve independent clinical judgment, but practitioners remain responsible for professional decisions and must comply with applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements. Violations can result in administrative penalties of up to $10,000, with enforcement authority resting with the relevant licensing boards.