Therapist Uses AI Recording Tool Without Explicit Patient Consent
A therapist in Arkansas activated an AI note-taking tool to record a session with patient Molly Quinn despite her expressed uncertainty about the system, without obtaining clear consent. Quinn reported feeling violated and emotionally distressed when she realized the recording was taking place.
What happened
A therapist used Berries AI note-taking software to record a therapy session with Molly Quinn without her explicit consent. Quinn had previously asked to research the tool and expressed uncertainty about where her words would be processed, but the therapist proceeded to activate recording during their next session.
Quinn noticed halfway through the session that the therapist was not taking notes manually and the iPad was propped up, realizing the session was being recorded. She continued the session but felt violated afterward, later stating the therapist had 'completely disregarded something I said I was not comfortable with.'
Reported impact
Quinn reported feeling emotionally distressed and violated by the unauthorized recording of intimate therapeutic content. She stated: 'The more I thought about it, the more I just started getting more and more sick to my stomach,' and drove home replaying the session.
Index analysis
The incident raises questions about informed consent and trust in the therapeutic relationship. Therapists across the U.S. are experimenting with AI tools that automatically record and transcribe sessions, which companies like Berries market as reducing administrative burden.
Classification
Sources and evidence
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