How I Use AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly built into many of the tools we use in everyday life and work. It can be useful, but I also recognise that people may have understandable questions or concerns about how it is used—particularly in the context of confidential counselling and coaching conversations.

I believe you should be able to understand where I use AI, why I use it and where I deliberately do not.

AI supports some of the practical and creative work around my counselling and coaching practice. It does not replace my professional judgement, accountability or the therapeutic and coaching relationships at the centre of my work.

How I use AI-enabled tools

I use a range of AI-enabled tools, including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Canva and video-editing software.

I may use these tools to:

• Copy-edit material I have written.
• Structure non-confidential proposals, resources and programme outlines.
• Develop and refine psychoeducational resources, workbooks and workshop materials.
• Support research using publicly available information.
• Help me organise my thinking and communicate it more clearly.
• Create and refine marketing, website, design and video content.
• Support routine administrative tasks.

I use these tools selectively rather than automatically. I review and edit anything produced with their assistance and remain responsible for the final work. I do not treat AI-generated material as automatically accurate, original or appropriate.

I use a paid version of ChatGPT and have disabled the setting that allows my new conversations to be used to improve OpenAI's models.

Information I do not provide to AI tools

I do not provide these tools with:

• Confidential counselling or coaching conversations.
• Client notes, recordings or transcripts (unless explicitly stated elsewhere with your consent).
• Sensitive personal or health information.
• Confidential organisational or commercial information.
• Client names, employer details or exact job titles.
• Distinctive personal or professional circumstances that could identify someone, even if their name were removed.

Where I use examples to help me think or write, I fictionalise, remove or generalise identifying details.

How I do not use AI

I do not use AI to:

• Deliver counselling or coaching to clients.
• Diagnose mental health conditions or neurodevelopmental differences.
• Make clinical decisions or replace professional assessment.
• Decide whether someone is suitable for counselling or coaching.
• Decide what information should be shared with another professional or organisation.
• Generate reports from confidential client material.
• Replace my professional judgement or the therapeutic relationship.

AI may support some of the practical work around my services. It is not used to tell me how to support you.

AI transcription and note-taking

I do not currently use AI transcription or AI note-taking tools during counselling or coaching sessions.

If I decide to introduce an AI transcription service in the future, I will:

• Explain which provider I use.
• Explain where information is stored.
• Explain how long it is retained.
• Explain whether any information is used for AI model training.
• Ask for your explicit consent before it is used.

Its use would always be optional, and choosing not to use it would never affect the support you receive.

Human accountability

AI may help with some of the activities surrounding my work, but it does not replace the empathy, curiosity, deep listening, professional experience, intuition, ethical judgement and human relationship involved in counselling and coaching.

Any therapeutic observations, coaching reflections, recommendations, written resources or reports are considered and approved by me. I remain professionally accountable for the service I provide.

Using AI proportionately

I am conscious that AI is not environmentally neutral. It depends on data centres, computing equipment and energy, and I believe responsible use should consider environmental impact alongside privacy, confidentiality and accuracy.

I therefore do not use AI automatically simply because it is available.

I use it selectively for defined tasks where I believe it adds clear value. I avoid unnecessary or repeated generation where there is no clear purpose, and I continue to use my own judgement or simpler tools where they can do the job equally well.

This is not a claim that my use of AI has no environmental impact. It is a commitment to use it thoughtfully and proportionately and to keep reviewing my approach as the technology develops.

Alignment with professional standards

My approach is informed by:

• The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
• The International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics and AI Coaching Framework.
• The EMCC Global Code of Ethics and Digital Ethics Guidelines.

Together, these professional standards emphasise:

• Transparency about how technology is used.
• Informed consent where technology records or processes sessions.
• Protection of confidentiality, privacy and security.
• Responsible storage and disposal of records.
• Appropriate quality and professional conduct when technology is used.
• Continuing human judgement and accountability.
• Respect for copyright and intellectual property.

These standards guide how I assess the tools I use and how I review my practice as technology develops.

Questions and choices

You are welcome to ask how AI is being used in relation to your work at any time.

Where a tool would record, transcribe or otherwise process the content of a counselling or coaching session, you will always be asked to opt in actively. You can also change your mind before or during a session.

This statement will be reviewed and updated as my tools, professional guidance and practice develop.

Last updated: July 2026.