Episode #695: AI Use In Private Practice, feat. Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey

Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey joins me to dig into the fast-evolving world of AI in healthcare—and what it means for therapists right now. We talk through key ethical considerations, documentation practices, and communication protocols for using AI in clinical settings, with a focus on staying grounded in client care.

Maelisa also shares updates on HIPAA compliance and recent state-level legislation impacting AI use in mental health, highlighting the therapist’s role in oversight and the importance of informed consent. We wrap up with practical tips on choosing AI platforms and documentation tools, plus ways to keep client communication clear, ethical, and transparent.

About Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey, PsyD:

My name is Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey, and I'm a licensed clinical psychologist and self-proclaimed Documentation Diva.

After several years working in mental health agencies, I realized that many of my peers struggled with their notes. I started asking around and realized there was a strong need for resources around documentation.

That's why I started QA prep.

QA Prep is designed to help therapists:

• Learn to make documentation flow naturally. I want you to learn to think about documentation in a way that makes writing case notes feel simple and natural.
• Decrease their workload by spending less time on case notes. This happens when you learn WHAT exactly you need to include, and what is superfluous. 
• Be confident in all their paperwork and not be fearful of client record requests or the eyes of an auditor.

Organization hasn't always come naturally.

It's a process I had to refine and perfect for myself while I was working as a clinician, while also struggling with ADHD. I was able to create systems and, when working as a clinical supervisor, I created systems for other clinicians to use and saw how much it positively impacted their attitude towards progress notes AND their work.

It's my passion and my mission to help therapists create rock solid documentation so they can spend more time with their clients and less time worrying about paperwork.

I'll show you that paperwork is a valuable part of therapy and that it doesn't have to be slow and painful!

Link to learn more: https://www.qaprep.com/