Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming mental health care—from client intake to assessment, treatment planning, supervision, and spiritual care. Yet AI also raises profound ethical, relational, and theological questions. This 3-hour continuing education event explores both the promise and peril of AI integration in counseling and pastoral contexts.

Through dialogue between Dr. Ingo Tophoven, PhD, LPC-S, assistant professor of counseling, and Mr. Adam S. Brooks, MSTS, MBA, senior director of technology services & associate CIO, participants will gain an informed and ethically grounded understanding of how AI tools impact clinical decision-making, counselor identity, and the spiritual dimensions of care.

The session blends lecture, live demonstrations, case scenarios, small-group discussion, and theological reflection.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the emerging uses of AI technologies in clinical counseling, supervision, and client support—including generative AI, predictive analytics, and virtual agents.
2. Evaluate ethical implications of AI for confidentiality, informed consent, and clinical decision-making using leaning into existing and forthcoming codes of ethics.
3. Analyze how AI reshapes counselor identity, client autonomy, and the therapeutic relationship through case-based exploration.
4. Reflect theologically on the intersection of AI, human dignity, and spiritual care within Christian counseling and pastoral ministry contexts.

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Presenters

Ingo Tophoven, PhD, LPC-S, is an assistant professor of counseling at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a licensed professional counselor and supervisor (VA). Dr. Tophoven has studied and integrated AI concepts into teaching, counseling, and consulting since 2015. Neither alarmist nor avoidant, he advocates for thoughtful engagement and augmentation and has presented on this topic to professional counseling audiences in recent years.

Adam S. Brooks, MSTS, MBA, is the senior director of technology services and associate CIO at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Adam is a servant leader and executive in technology enablement for education, ministry, and corporate sectors. Skilled in digital transformation, AI, business intelligence, cybersecurity, and systems integration.