Illinois Bans AI in Therapy Over Self-Harm Safety Fears

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Illinois Says No to AI in Therapy, Warns of Self-Harm Risks

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: August 15, 2025

Key Takeaways

Illinois has banned licensed therapists from using AI chatbots for treatment or client communication;
Law applies only to professionals and companies, while violations can bring fines up to $10,000;
Experts warn chatbots may mishandle crisis prompts, which risks unsafe advice to vulnerable users.

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Illinois Says No to AI in Therapy, Warns of Self-Harm Risks

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Illinois has approved new rules that stop licensed therapists from using artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to help with mental health treatment.

The "Therapy Resources Oversight" law blocks licensed professionals from using AI systems to make treatment decisions or to talk with clients for them.

It also stops companies from promoting chatbot therapy as a full replacement for real sessions with a therapist.

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The law will be enforced through public complaints. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will look into reports, and anyone found breaking the rules could be fined up to $10,000.

The restrictions apply only to licensed professionals and companies. They do not prevent individuals from using AI tools on their own.

Mental health experts have raised safety concerns about chatbots. A Stanford University study published on June 11 found that many chatbots were unable to handle serious requests safely. In some cases, they even gave information that could be used for self-harm.

Therapists stressed that real treatment is more than agreeing with clients. Vaile Wright from the American Psychological Association told the Washington Post that part of a therapist’s job is to challenge harmful thoughts and guide people toward better choices.

Geoffrey Hinton, a former executive at Google, recently shared concerns about the future of AI and its impact on humans. What did he say? Read the full story.