The California Legislature has passed Senate Bill 903, legislation that would prohibit AI systems from providing or advertising therapy or psychotherapy in California. The bill would allow licensed mental health professionals to use AI for limited administrative or supplementary support while establishing safeguards around its use in clinical practice.
The legislation draws a distinction between AI used to support licensed professionals and AI operating independently as a mental health provider. It would prohibit AI from independently interacting with clients, making therapeutic decisions, detecting emotions, or generating treatment plans without professional review. It would also require disclosure and affirmative consent before AI is used to record or transcribe therapy sessions and require confidentiality of therapy records.
Supporters of the bill say the goal is to establish safeguards that keep licensed professionals at the center of mental health care while allowing AI to complement their work. SB 903 passed the California Senate unanimously and the Assembly with bipartisan support and has been sent to Governor Gavin Newsom for consideration.
California's legislation reinforces an important distinction that is becoming increasingly relevant across the mental health industry: AI can support the work of licensed professionals, but it should not replace the therapist or independently provide therapy.
For therapy practices, SB 903 reflects growing regulatory emphasis on professional oversight, accountability, and keeping licensed clinicians responsible for the delivery of mental health treatment.
Therapy Ally™ was designed around this model, providing supplementary between-session support within an existing therapist-client relationship, with its use directed by the treating clinician.