Domain D6 · Maintaining Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards · 19% of the exam
AI in therapy ethics: privacy, consent, and bias in algorithms
Outline: draftBy The Licensure Professor
Study material in progress. This is a lesson outline, not finished lesson text. Nothing on this page is official exam content. Items were written for this site and checked against published sources. They have not yet been reviewed by a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Learning objectives
- Explain how the AAMFT Code duties of confidentiality, informed consent, competence, and technology-assisted services apply to AI tools.
- Identify privacy risks when client information enters an AI system.
- Describe informed consent for the use of AI in treatment and in documentation.
- Recognize algorithmic bias and its effect on diverse clients.
- State the therapist remains professionally responsible for AI-assisted work.
Key terms
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Privacy and data security
- Informed consent to AI use
- Algorithmic bias
- Technology-assisted services
- Professional responsibility
- Documentation tools
Suggested sources
- Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. (2026). AMFTRB MFT national examination handbook for candidates (2027 ed.). https://ptcny.com/pdf/AMFTRB.pdf
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2026). AAMFT code of ethics (effective January 1, 2026). https://www.aamft.org/common/Uploaded%20files/Legal%20Ethics/AAMFT%20Code%20of%20Ethics.pdf
Ethics content on this section follows the AAMFT Code of Ethics (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy).