Psychologists are Increasingly Using — and Worrying About — AI Tools, Poll Finds

As more psychologists adopt AI tools, there is also growing awareness about artificial intelligence tools, especially with respect to patient safety and data privacy. A majority of psychologists said they are concerned about potential harms of this technology, with more than 60% saying they are worried about potential data breaches, biased inputs and outputs and social harms. Many also expressed concerns about hallucinations, where the platforms fabricate facts or present inaccurate information. However, even with the concerns, nearly 56% of psychologists recently surveyed by the American Psychological Association responded that they are using some AI tools in their practices. That's significantly higher than the 29% who said the same last year. And nearly a third of respondents said they use these tools on a monthly basis — up by more than two-fold since last year. Psychologists are seeing potential opportunities to incorporate AI into their practices, by making their work more efficient, which we could have downstream effects to reducing burnout, reducing those aspects of the workplace that people don't particularly enjoy.

The Ohio Council Welcomes New Provider Member, Forward Health LLC

Forward Health LLC in Columbus, OH - David Palumbo, CEO can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (740) 935-8962. Forward Health LLC provides substance use disorder and mental health services to all 88 Ohio counties. 

Click here to learn more about Forward Health LLC!

Upcoming Problem Gambling Network of Ohio Trainings

Join the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio for two upcoming trainings and their 2026 Conference. Learn more and register below.

1. Case Prevention 
Join us for a virtual, no-cost Case Presentation: Challenges with Complex Cases and Specialized Services. This case illustrates how a comprehensive, continuum-of-care approach and specialized considerations helped build trust and support effective clinical engagement.

Ken Buzzelli, LISW-S, LICDC-CS-GAMB presents the timeline and scope of services provided to an individual in the deaf community.  He'll showcase coordinated support involving family members and translation services within the community through a Problem Gambling Helpline call, Warm Transfer, and telehealth.

When: Tuesday, January 13, from 12:30-1:30pm.
Where: Virtually via Zoom.
CEUs: 1.0 CEUs are available.
Cost: This is a no-cost training.
Audience: Clinicians looking to enhance their gambling treatment skills and those working with specialized clients and communities.

Join us for a virtual, no-cost training, Foundations: Building Stronger Teams.

Jesse Wodrig, MBA, LCDCIII-GAMB, ICGC-I, OCPSA and Mike Rosen, LPCC-S, ICGC-I will focus on the essential administrative practices that support effective gambling disorder programs. Designed for treatment professionals overseeing gambling treatment services, this training equips participants with the foundational skills needed to structure and support effective service teams.

When: Tuesday, January 6, from 1:00-2:30pm.

Where: Virtually, through Zoom.
CEUs: 1.5 Supervision CEUs are available for this training.
Cost: This is a no-cost training.
Audience: Clinical professionals who oversee and build gambling treatment teams and services.

The 2026 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference will be held at the newly renovated Ohioan Hotel & Event Center on February 11 and 12, 2026. Attendees have until January 12 to reserve a room in the group block.

Join over 300 national experts, state leaders, and local innovators in problem gambling prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, research, administration, and safer-play.

Want to stay up to date? Check out PGNOhio.org/CONFERENCE for all the latest information & details.

Ohio Senate Follows House and Votes to Restrict Intoxicating Hemp to Dispensaries, Tweak Recreational Cannabis Law

The Ohio Senate came back from its holiday break Tuesday to rubber-stamp a House-passed bill that tweaks the state’s voter-approved recreational marijuana laws and bans intoxicating hemp products from retailers.

Senate Bill 56, passed by Senate Republicans along party lines 22-7, now heads to the desk of Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican who has clamored for years now for the state to regulate, and even fully ban, intoxicating hemp products. The bill will go into effect 90 days after his signature.

While there’s a delayed effect for many of the bill’s provisions, the governor’s signature will allow the state to immediately start disbursing the $28.3 million sitting in Ohio’s host community fund, which takes 36% of all recreational marijuana tax proceeds and is supposed to redistribute them back to local governments that are host to recreational dispensaries.