Ethical and Psychological Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Counselling Practices in Tertiary Institutions in Bayelsa State

Abstract

The study investigated the ethical and psychological implications of using artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health counselling practices in tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State. Guided by a descriptive survey research design, the study sought to examine the ethical concerns counsellors associate with AI use. The population of the study comprised all professional guidance counsellors working in public tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State, including federal and state universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. To ensure balanced representation across the different types of institutions, the study adopted a census approach, using 50 accessible and willing professional counsellors within the identified institutions were in the study.  Data were collected through a structured instrument titled “Ethical and Psychological Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Counselling Questionnaire (EPIAICQ) which were validated by experts and yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.87 using the Cronbach Alpha formula. Data analysis was conducted using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed heightened concerns over data privacy, algorithmic bias, informed consent, and emotional disconnection, particularly in environments with limited digital literacy and infrastructural support. The study recommends that tertiary institutions should develop and enforce comprehensive ethical guidelines that govern the use of artificial intelligence in mental health counselling to ensure confidentiality, informed consent, and professional accountability.