Speaking at California Psychological Association

Thank you California Psychological Association for inviting me to speak about AI + Mental Health!
 
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Friday, April 17, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm (PT)
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Zoom - Live Webinar
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: Dr. Rachel Wood, PhD

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally shifting the relational bedrock of society, and it's already in your practice whether invited or not. With millions of people using generative AI chatbots for emotional support, most mental health practitioners now have clients and patients turning to machines between sessions—raising critical questions about AI-attachment, assessment protocols, and therapeutic implications. Research suggests that AI chatbots may now be the largest provider of mental health support in the United States, marking a profound shift in how people seek connection and support. 

This interactive presentation explores what happens when our relational training ground becomes engagement with digital entities designed to serve without friction, compromise, or the messy reality of human connection. We'll address algorithmic bias, advocacy for marginalized communities, and the core skills mental health professionals need in today's AI-infused landscape. 

Rather than simply advocating for or against AI, this cutting-edge presentation offers a solution framework that charts a clear path forward. Both sobering and hopeful, this balanced exploration combines research-backed insights with engaging and practical guidance for supporting current and future generations through this transformative shift.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿:
Rachel Wood, PhD holds a PhD in cyberpsychology with expertise at the intersection of AI and mental health. She helps navigate technological change with research-informed strategies, translating future realities into accessible concepts and guiding audiences to develop the mental agility needed to thrive amid rapidly evolving AI technologies.

Thank you Dustin Weissman, Psy.D. for this opportunity - I'm looking forward to it!