Session A7
Tracks
Stream A
| Sunday, September 20, 2026 |
| 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Overview
Artificial Intelligence and the Next Wave of Psychological Assessment: A Roadmap for Psychologists - Ben Buchanan (30 mins) * AI in therapy: Increasing clinical visibility and engagement beyond the session - Sally-Anne McCormack & Kiera Macdonald (60 mins)
Presenter
Dr Ben Buchanan
Novopsych
Artificial Intelligence and the Next Wave of Psychological Assessment: A Roadmap for Psychologists
1:00 PM - 1:30 PMAbstract
This practical, thought-provoking session explores how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are beginning to reshape clinical psychology practice—from documentation and workflow through to measurement-based care and decision support.
The presentation focuses on where artificial intelligence (AI) can genuinely improve clinical workflows (e.g., reducing administrative load, improving consistency in documentation, supporting outcome monitoring), while keeping the therapeutic relationship, empathy, and professional judgement at the centre of care.
But these technologies are more than just administrative tools, they can improve patient outcomes.
As AI takes on more technical and repetitive tasks, the “human skill premium” in clinical psychology—formulation, alliance-building, nuance, ethical judgement, and clinical wisdom—becomes even more valuable.
Attendees will leave with a grounded roadmap for navigating the changes already underway, an overview of today’s practical tools, and a clear framework for weighing benefit, risk, and readiness in real-world clinical settings.
The session emphasises how technology can strengthen evidence-based practice by making high-quality assessment and outcome monitoring more scalable, interpretable, and clinically actionable—without outsourcing judgement.
Whether you’re AI-curious, cautious, or already using an AI scribe or digital assessment tools, this session will help you:
- Make informed, evidence-based decisions about AI in clinical practice
- Improve workflow efficiency without compromising care
- Understand ethical, privacy, and professional risks
- Prepare for the future of AI-enhanced psychological services
The presentation focuses on where artificial intelligence (AI) can genuinely improve clinical workflows (e.g., reducing administrative load, improving consistency in documentation, supporting outcome monitoring), while keeping the therapeutic relationship, empathy, and professional judgement at the centre of care.
But these technologies are more than just administrative tools, they can improve patient outcomes.
As AI takes on more technical and repetitive tasks, the “human skill premium” in clinical psychology—formulation, alliance-building, nuance, ethical judgement, and clinical wisdom—becomes even more valuable.
Attendees will leave with a grounded roadmap for navigating the changes already underway, an overview of today’s practical tools, and a clear framework for weighing benefit, risk, and readiness in real-world clinical settings.
The session emphasises how technology can strengthen evidence-based practice by making high-quality assessment and outcome monitoring more scalable, interpretable, and clinically actionable—without outsourcing judgement.
Whether you’re AI-curious, cautious, or already using an AI scribe or digital assessment tools, this session will help you:
- Make informed, evidence-based decisions about AI in clinical practice
- Improve workflow efficiency without compromising care
- Understand ethical, privacy, and professional risks
- Prepare for the future of AI-enhanced psychological services
.....
Dr Ben Buchanan is a Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of NovoPsych, a software platform that helps mental health services use psychometric science and AI to improve patient outcomes. He has been a leading contributor to the intersection of AI and clinical psychology, including development of NovoNote, an AI scribe designed for psychologists. Ben is a strong advocate for high-quality assessment and measurement-based care, and emphasises that technology should serve people—both clinicians and clients—by supporting better decisions, clearer communication, and more effective care. Through university lecturing and clinical supervision, he promotes the scientist-practitioner model, and his research focuses on treatment effectiveness, psychometric assessment, and helping services generate practice-based evidence.
Sally-Anne McCormack
Antsa Pty Ltd
AI in therapy: Increasing clinical visibility and engagement beyond the session
1:30 PM - 2:30 PMAbstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already influencing mental health care, with many clients using consumer-facing tools between sessions. This presentation explores how clinical psychologists can navigate this change ethically and responsibly while embracing the opportunities it presents.
The aim is to examine how AI can increase clinical visibility and engagement beyond the therapy session without replacing the psychologist or creating new ethical duties. Drawing on guidance from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the presentation will clarify that professional responsibility remains unchanged. Technology, however, can make client risk, mood patterns and task engagement more observable between appointments.
Content will include an overview of emerging between-session care models, practical examples of clinician-governed AI integration, and discussion of governance, documentation and duty of care in digital environments. Attention will be given to how increased visibility may enhance therapeutic alliance, improve session focus and support earlier identification of deterioration.
The goals are to equip clinical psychologists with a practical framework for evaluating and integrating AI into practice, reduce fear and misinformation about technological change, and encourage thoughtful adoption that strengthens rather than burdens clinical work. This session aligns with the conference theme by supporting psychologists to navigate change while maintaining professional standards and enhancing client outcomes.
The aim is to examine how AI can increase clinical visibility and engagement beyond the therapy session without replacing the psychologist or creating new ethical duties. Drawing on guidance from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the presentation will clarify that professional responsibility remains unchanged. Technology, however, can make client risk, mood patterns and task engagement more observable between appointments.
Content will include an overview of emerging between-session care models, practical examples of clinician-governed AI integration, and discussion of governance, documentation and duty of care in digital environments. Attention will be given to how increased visibility may enhance therapeutic alliance, improve session focus and support earlier identification of deterioration.
The goals are to equip clinical psychologists with a practical framework for evaluating and integrating AI into practice, reduce fear and misinformation about technological change, and encourage thoughtful adoption that strengthens rather than burdens clinical work. This session aligns with the conference theme by supporting psychologists to navigate change while maintaining professional standards and enhancing client outcomes.
.....
Sally-Anne McCormack is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in private practice, education and media. She began her career as a primary school teacher, including Special Education, before retraining in psychology and establishing a long-standing practice in Victoria. Her clinical work is grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy and practical, skills-based interventions that support clients beyond the therapy session.
Sally-Anne is the founder and CEO of ANTSA, an Australian digital mental health system designed to increase clinical visibility and client engagement between sessions through clinician-governed technology. She is an international award-winning woman in science, technology and engineering, recognised for leadership in ethical digital mental health innovation.
She is a long-standing member of the APS, serves on APS committees, and regularly presents on responsible AI integration in clinical psychology.
Kiera Macdonald
Psychologist (Clinical Registrar) & Team Member
ANTSA Pty Ltd
AI in therapy: Increasing clinical visibility and engagement beyond the session
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM.....
