Office Hours: What Therapists Need to Know About AI with Ted Faneuff

Navigating the complexities of running a therapy practice today means balancing clinical care with growing administrative demands and emerging technology.

Ted Faneuff, a practicing therapist and Head of Clinical Operations at Upheal, joins Michael Fulwiler to explore how AI is reshaping mental health care and helping therapists reclaim time and reduce burnout.

Ted shares his personal journey, including his late ADHD diagnosis, and explains how AI-powered tools can support therapists in staying fully present with clients while easing documentation burdens.

Listen to this conversation to understand what therapists need to know about AI, data privacy, and ethical adoption (plus why therapist involvement is critical in shaping the future of mental health technology).

In the conversation, they discuss:

• How AI assistants can transform therapy workflows and save hours each week
• The importance of clear consent and privacy standards for AI use in therapy
• Addressing fears about AI replacing therapists and the role of human validation

Connect with the guest:

• Ted on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-faneuff-lisw-s-lmsw-lcsw-mba-b3030350/ 
• Visit the Upheal website: https://www.upheal.io/ 

Connect with Michael and Heard:

• Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfulwiler/ 
• Newsletter: https://www.joinheard.com/newsletter 
• Book a free consult: joinheard.com/consult 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School

(00:34) Meet Ted Faneuff 

(01:20) Exploring How AI Can Support Therapy and Mental Health Care

(02:19) Breaking Down What Artificial Intelligence Really Means

(04:15) A Simple Explanation of Generative AI

(06:58) How Large Language Models Power Today’s AI Tools

(10:07) Addressing the Privacy Concerns That Come with AI

(11:02) What Therapists Need to Know About HIPAA and SOC 2 Security

(13:06) Why Getting Clear Consent Matters When Using AI

(14:45) The Debate on Whether AI Could Ever Replace Therapists

(17:21) Looking at AI’s Ability to Show Empathy and Build Trust

(19:38) How AI Can Lend a Hand and Ease Therapist Workloads

(27:47) Why It’s Important for Therapists to Help Guide AI Development

(35:54) What to Look for When Choosing AI Tools for Your Practice

(44:23) How AI Might Expand Access and Help Therapists Stay in the Field

This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.