Utah Issues First AI Guidelines for Mental Health Therapists
Setting a precedent, Utah’s Office of AI Policy has released the state’s first guidelines for using AI in mental health care, prioritizing patient safety, ethics, and regulatory clarity.
Ecosystem
Salt Lake City, UT - April 30, 2025
The Utah Department of Commerce’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy (OAIP) has released its first official guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in mental health care. The recommendations stem from a joint study with the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), focusing on how therapists can safely and ethically integrate AI into their practices.
The document outlines best practices for mental health professionals, including securing informed consent, maintaining strong data privacy standards, and tailoring AI use to each patient’s needs and digital literacy. It also encourages therapists to monitor AI outputs regularly and prepare contingency plans in case the technology fails or produces inaccurate results.
“This is about using AI to enhance—not replace—human care,” said Margaret Woolley Busse, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce. “Done right, AI can expand access and improve outcomes in mental health treatment. But the stakes are high, so we need clear guardrails.”
The OAIP was formed during Utah’s 2024 legislative session to help AI companies navigate regulatory hurdles and test innovations in a controlled policy sandbox. Its learning lab—where this study originated—collaborates with startups, industry associations, and academic experts to assess AI applications across sectors.
One key outcome from the lab is House Bill 452, the Artificial Intelligence Amendments, sponsored by Rep. Jefferson Moss and Sen. Kirk Cullimore. The bill sets a legal framework for AI use in mental health and introduces consumer protections specific to the space. It’s the first legislative product from the lab’s work and signals Utah’s intention to lead on AI policy.
“Many therapists are already using AI tools,” said Mark Steinagel, Director of the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) within the Utah Department of Commerce. “This guidance helps ensure those tools are deployed responsibly.”
Zach Boyd, Director of OAIP, added: “Our goal is to support innovation without compromising care. These best practices can help therapists embrace technology while keeping patients’ well-being front and center.”
The guidance also urges educational institutions to apply similar principles—resisting overreliance on AI for student assessments and prioritizing learner needs.
While tailored for Utah, the recommendations may serve as a national model for AI integration in health care and beyond.
The Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy is one of ten divisions and offices of the Utah Department of Commerce. The Office is dedicated to establishing trust and fostering innovation in AI technologies across Utah. As a first-in-the-nation entity, the Office actively collaborates with businesses, academia, and various stakeholders to discuss and shape regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while ensuring public safety. By developing data-driven policies, making timely regulatory adjustments, and providing regulatory relief, the Office positions Utah at the forefront of AI policy, regulation, and innovation. Through its authority to create regulatory mitigation agreements, the Office supports the deployment of AI in new and innovative ways, thereby setting a benchmark for the nation in AI innovation and regulation.
More details and the full report are available at ai.utah.gov.