Using Artificial Intelligence in Systemic Therapy Training

This paper offers recommendations for Systemic Family Therapy (SFT) educators on the ethical and pedagogically sound integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into clinical training. We outline GenAI's potential to support learning, assessment, and clinical reasoning, while also addressing significant ethical, relational, and equity concerns. Although GenAI use is rapidly expanding in higher education, structured frameworks for its implementation in SFT training remain limited, which risks inconsistent training and disparities across programs. Drawing on our experiences as four SFT educators who have piloted GenAI in our curricula, we examine practical applications and emerging challenges. We emphasize the need for transparent academic integrity policies, explicit guidance for responsible use, and opportunities for experiential and reflective learning. We call on SFT programs and accrediting bodies to develop clear competencies, policies, and critical engagement strategies that position GenAI as a supportive resource rather than a replacement for human relational processes. With intentional integration, GenAI can enhance clinical preparation while preserving the centrality of therapeutic presence and systemic relational ethics.