The Algorithm Will See You Now: How AI is Re-Writing Therapy With Couples and Families

Description

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just changing the tools therapists use—it’s transforming the very fabric of how couples and families experience, engage in, and benefit from therapy. As AI becomes integrated into clinical settings, understanding its impact is no longer optional—it’s essential for ethical, effective, and future-ready practice.

In this timely and thought-provoking course, you’ll explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents for therapy to couples and families. Whether you’re curious about emerging technologies or cautious about their implications, this course will help you navigate these shifts with clarity and confidence.

Dr. Katherine Hertlein, Ph.D., LMFT, is a recognized leader in couple and family therapy, technology’s impact on relationships, and sex therapy. With over 90 published articles, 40 book chapters, and 12 books, she has shaped the field’s understanding of how digital tools influence human connection. Her development of core competencies for behavioral health and her pioneering framework for technology’s effect on relationships provide the perfect foundation for guiding clinicians through AI integration.

Dr. Hertlein’s teaching style blends clear, research-based foundations with real-world applications. She bridges conceptual understanding with practical strategies, ensuring that every participant leaves with both the theoretical insights and concrete tools needed to integrate AI safely into practice.

Topics covered in this course include the foundations of AI in behavioral health; an overview of AI applications in providing therapy to couples and families; ethical, relational, and systemic considerations; core competencies for AI integration; and strategies for using AI responsibly with diverse clients. You’ll also explore case examples illustrating both the potential benefits and risks of AI in therapy.

Key Takeaways

• Foundational AI knowledge: Understand the core concepts and capabilities of AI as they apply to therapy for couples and families.
• Ethical and relational insight: Identify and address the ethical, systemic, and interpersonal implications of AI in clinical practice.
• Competent integration skills: Apply AI tools in a way that enhances—rather than undermines—therapeutic relationships and outcomes.

Why This Course?

• Expert-led instruction: Learn from a recognized authority with extended work on technology and relationships in behavioral health.
• Relevant and timely content: Gain up-to-date strategies for navigating AI’s rapid evolution in the mental health field.
• Practical application focus: Leave with actionable steps and competencies you can immediately integrate into your own practice.

Learning Objectives:

• List foundational knowledge of Artificial Intelligence relevant to the practice of therapy for couples and families.
• Develop critical thinking about the ethical, relational, and systemic impacts of Artificial Intelligence tools.
• Integrate Artificial Intelligence safely and effectively into clinical practice.

As AI reshapes the landscape of therapy, the ability to understand and work effectively with these tools will set you apart as a thoughtful, informed, and adaptable clinician. Join Dr. Hertlein to explore how you can engage with this emerging technology in ways that protect your clients, elevate your practice, and prepare you for the future of therapy for couples and families.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study program and consists of 2 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Katherine Hertlein, Ph.D., LMFT

Dr. Katherine M. Hertlein is Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development in the Boonshoft School of Medicine’s Psychiatry Department at Wright State University. Formerly, she led the Couple and Family Therapy Program at UNLV’s School of Medicine. Dr. Hertlein earned her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University Calumet and her Ph.D. in Human Development (specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy) from Virginia Tech. A pioneer in the emerging field of Couple and Family Technology (CFT), she co-developed the first multitheoretical CFT framework, addressing how digital technologies influence intimate relationships and therapeutic practice she has authored 100+ journal articles, 50+ book chapters, and 12 books, including Digital Dwelling and The Couple and Family Technology Framework: Intimate Relationships in a Digital Age Her work spans key topics such as online infidelity, gaming, and telehealth ethics and best practices. Dr. Hertlein’s contributions have earned her prestigious awards: Nevada’s Regent’s Rising Researcher Award, Barrick Scholar recognitions, awards from the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, and a 2018–19 Fulbright Core Scholar appointment in Salzburg, Austria, She currently serves as Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy and is a sought-after speaker on technology’s impact in therapy.

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 2 continuing education hours of credit.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists:

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2.5 clinical continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 120 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This course is a non-interactive, online self-study.

Participants may request a printed version of their certificate of completion to be delivered by mail. A shipping/handling fee of $6.95 will be charged per request. Shipping internationally may require an additional charge.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement