Ellen K. Tannen, NCC, CCMHC, LCPC

06/21/2025

06/20/2025

https://futurism.com/stanford-therapist-chatbots-encouraging-delusions?fbclid=IwY2xjawLBrQVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhj2nvIOwZuuJdwHAz0B256j1_XFh0mEBJj9TjrxoYS4oSwLc4NRrpVCb8Ik_aem_r7TTYWPuE2AlSNpJtjiHPg

A new pre-print study from Stanford researchers finds that AI chatbots used for therapy routinely fail at providing safe, ethical care.

04/25/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F2yzM55h5/

04/08/2025

I have NO association with any venture capitalist/AI organizations, in spite of the fact that they have been adding my name and others, without authorization, to their rosters.

https://mentalhealthmatch.com/articles/end-private-practice-therapist?fbclid=IwY2xjawJiIRNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHumbwqoX_Swzyz2iOwpYurssOdzTyWukos1xDZv9WEeXyLR230mkhWi0akjC_aem_nVcnPR-E2Hv2ix3wuJP4HA

What does the growing "uber-ization" of therapy mean for private practice therapists, their clients, and the future of therapy?

04/04/2025

https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/NASWIL/Campaigns/123510/Respond?fbclid=IwY2xjawJcwWxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgXNSODBlJRhyGZ-2kphIIoMPLeQBew2wUQUCfBe5fbBg5XF67mFBLAMI50G_aem_rn0qXx63n30KcDrrMWnsUA

Right now in Illinois, AI chatbots are being marketed as clinical mental health providers, despite clear evidence that they can cause serious harm. In the U.S., a 14-year-old boy died by su***de after an AI chatbot reinforced his suicidal thoughts...

06/13/2024

Su***de prevention: 2024 update.

400 million guns owned in U.S.
Obviously, more than our population!

04/09/2024

If you are seeking mental health support, although it's tempting for cost and availability...please don't use these on-line services...Headway, Alma, Grow, etc. There are many, many more. They are asking the therapists that join them to record their sessions. Your information is not safe.
When we seek support and don't get what we need, it can feel futile and we give up. You cannot develop rapport or receive empathy from an AI bot. These are necssary requirements for sucessful treatment.
The sites are not meeting appropriate standards and can compromise your confidentiality.

https://www.classaction.org/news/headway-hit-with-class-action-over-alleged-disclosure-of-patient-info-to-google?fbclid=IwY2xjawCCFIgBHUDZTjG80t6Td_j18DkLKhP7mZz2dDgo3a0w2Hk_vcyPimOECLdVLzYCwg

A class action alleges online therapy service Headway secretly shares with Google website visitors’ private data, including information about their mental health conditions.

11/24/2023

May you find much for which to be grateful this holiday season...

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace
there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly
and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself
with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well
as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery
But let this not blind you to what
virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity
and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life
keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery,
and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy. ~Max Ehrmann
(Book: Desiderata https://amzn.to/45kJvnK)



(Art: Photograph by Albarrán Cabrera)

Desiderata: A Poem for a Way of Life

08/27/2023

https://youtu.be/ojtDRmgRzCw?si=GpwXP7lKQ_2cQung
video for clinicians for clients...

We all need hope, it is central to our mental health and well being. Recovery for those with mental illness (depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar diso...

08/26/2023

https://www.crisistextline.org/ #:~:text=Text%20HOME%20to%20741741%20from,from%20our%20secure%20online%20platform.

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. We're here for everything: anxiety, depression, su***de, school. Text HOME to 741741.

08/26/2023

Su***de Crisis Text Line: HOME to 741741
24/7 from anywhere in the USA, for any crisis.
A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.

Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: 988
You will hear a greeting message while your/their call is routed to a local crisis center within the Lifeline network, based on area code. Typically within 30 seconds.
Presently there are 300 crisis counselors. Hope to have 400 by year's end.
Counselor will listen to get a better understanding of how problem is affecting you/them, provides support and connects you/them to necessary resources.
If a local counselor is not available, you/they will be routed to a national backup crisis center.
Longer term plan is to link 988 callers to community-based providers who can deliver a range of crisis care services, including mobile crisis teams and stabilization centers.

08/26/2023

I am engaged in six hours of seminars on Su***de Prevention today.

Suicidality is hugely prevalent in the U.S. today, and on the increase.

If you are, or know someone who is experiencing suicidal ideation [thoughts of wanting to die], here are what you want to look for in mental health support!

A clinician who specializes in DBT [Dialectical Behavior Treatment] group, CBT [CT-SP/Cognitive Therapy-Su***de Prevention + BCBT/Brief Cognitive Behavior Therapy]
and/or CAMS [Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality].

Both have proven efficacy!
🙏