Answers for healthcare practices

The questions practice owners ask me most about AI, HIPAA and social media, answered plainly.

• Can a therapist use ChatGPT without breaking HIPAA?

  Yes, as long as no protected health information goes into it. Strip anything that identifies a client before you paste, and ChatGPT is safe for the large part of the week that has nothing to do with a client record.

• Do I need a BAA to use AI tools in my practice?

  Only if protected health information reaches the tool. If the workflow never sends identifying patient data, the workflow itself is what keeps you safe, and the agreement never comes into it.

• What can a mental health practice post on social media?

  General education, what the practice offers, how to book, and the clinicians' own views on their field. What it cannot post is anything that identifies a patient, individual diagnosis or treatment advice, or outcomes it cannot back up.

• How do psychiatry practices get new patients from social media?

  By answering the questions patients are already asking, in the clinician's own voice, every week, and making booking easy from every post. Patients choose a psychiatrist they feel they already know.

• What should a medical practice automate first?

  The repeated admin work with clear rules and no clinical judgement in it: intake routing, appointment follow-up, referral acknowledgements, insurance verification chasing, reporting and content. Clinical decisions stay with the clinician.

• How much does AI automation cost for a small practice?

  It depends on how many workflows you need and whether patient data is involved, so any honest answer starts with looking at your week. The free audit tells you which three changes would save the most time, before you spend anything.

• Can a therapist use client testimonials in their marketing?

  Almost never, and not without written authorisation. A testimonial confirms someone was a patient, which is protected information, and the professional codes for psychologists and counselors also bar asking current clients for one.

• How should a therapist respond to a negative online review?

  Without confirming the person was ever a patient. Reply with a short, general statement about how the practice handles concerns and invite them to call, and never mention their care, their visit or their details.

• Should a mental health practice be on Instagram or LinkedIn?

  Usually both, for different people. Instagram reaches people who might become patients. LinkedIn reaches the doctors, employers and other clinicians who refer them, and the clinicians you may want to hire.

• How do I know if social media is bringing my practice new patients?

  Give each platform its own tagged link to your booking page, and ask every new patient how they heard about you. Together those two tell you which channel is working without tracking anyone personally.

• How often should a mental health practice post on social media?

  Often enough that you never stop, which for most practices means a few posts a week, every week. A schedule you can keep beats an ambitious one you abandon in a month.

• Can I use AI to write therapy or clinical notes?

  Only with a tool built for it, under a Business Associate Agreement with your practice, because clinical notes are protected health information. A general chatbot is the wrong tool for notes, however you phrase the prompt.