Let's Talk AI
We've all been hearing about AI and how it's infiltrating the mental health space at a rapid speed. If Silicon Valley's "move fast and break things" motto has ever applied, it's in this space. Last week, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced confirmation that more than 150 companies have been accepted into the ACCESS (Advancing Chronic Care with Effective Scalable Solutions) Model effective January 1, 2027. What does this mean? Let's break it down.
Companies on this list include: Limbic, Sondermind, Headway, Headspace, Slingshot AI, and Jimini to name a few in our space. The goal is to move from a fee-for-service model to a fee-for-effectiveness model. As stated on the website, "ACCESS empowers people with Medicare and their clinicians by offering services that are convenient, affordable and integrated with their existing care teams." Chat GPT wrote: think “manage a population’s mental health efficiently,” not “bill per session.”
Limbic's study in Nature Medicine published a study indicating that using Limbic's AI mental health model out performs therapists in CBT. This is one study of many more to come. Evidence-based modalities will now become evidence-based platforms that insurance companies will most likely favor. Any therapist who has dealt with insurance understands the struggle of getting paid, now imagine a world where they don't have to pay human therapists because they have their own AI network of "evidence-based therapy services."
Bets I'm Making. As someone whose side hobby is sleuthing through online spaces where business and mental health intersect, I've been thinking a lot about how this could all play out. If I were to make a a Polymarket prediction (which I won't, but it's tempting), I would bet that insurance companies are going to require therapists integrate AI systems and cap the number of therapy sessions clients can have to a minimum. It's not a matter of if but when AI is going to be a requirement for anyone utilizing insurance.
My future prediction over the next decade is that there will be a greater schism between out-of-network services and insurance-based practices. The business model will not be the same as it currently stands. Clients will be choosing between a boutique cash pay experience vs limited sessions with a therapist combined with AI services and AI agents determining treatment effectiveness. The future hybrid structure will be how do we integrate AI models rather than how many insurance panels do we credential with.
Is it all bad? If you've ever worked in community-based mental health (CBMH), you know how poor clients' access to services truly is. Not to mention clinician burnout, jeopardizing safety, and the worst of the worst agencies run CBMH centers. Imagine if these clients had access to AI services as case managers, guiding them to resources, having their basic needs be served because of technological innovation. This may sound utopian, but if CMS is innovating how services are rendered, it might be more possible than ever before. I'm all about looking for silver linings, even if I need a microscope to do so.
Business Not as Usual. Whenever a pendulum swings hard in one direction, opportunities lie on the opposite side. As we all know, true aliveness happens in connection with others. Offerings such as live groups, in-person events, opportunities for IRL connection are going to be more necessary than ever. This may be less structured than group therapy, and more focused surrounding issues where people want to feel understood. Divorce groups, dating groups, entrepreneur groups, etc. will start to be where and how people meet, interact, and have truer conversations. We're going to need to create third spaces. Some of this is already happening, but based on lay offs due to AI, AI therapy invasion, and AI as romantic lovers, we're going to need to pioneer human connection more than ever before.
Speaking of human connection...
Therapist Hangout
Apologies for the cancelation for April's hangout, but we are back on! Therapist Hangout is happening Friday, May 15th from 2-4 at BaySix's Space for Good located at 414 Dupont Circle, Raleigh 27603. As always, bring a therapist friend, and I'll bring name tags :-).
Parking note: Parking is located on either end of Dupont Circle in the gravel lots, or the retail space under the Platform building. Please reach out with any questions!
Send Me Your Stuff! Have something you want to share? Speaking at a networking event? Have a new group or course offering? Hire someone new? Share it! Remember, sharing is caring. To get the word out on, please email me with the subject line Therapist Newsletter. I'll add you in the next newsletter.
How To Relate Podcast
How to Stop Fighting in a Relationship: Carole Cullen owner of My Therapist, NC gives us insight into working with high-conflict couples. She also provides creative ways for couples to connect including a membership where couples have activities such as pilates, equine experiences, cooking classes, and more planned for them. Great episode to send to clients who are thinking about couples therapy.
Grateful for you all,
Brittani
