Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act into law, establishing new protections for mental health consumers and setting clear boundaries for the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and psychotherapy services.
The law aims to ensure that therapy is provided only by qualified, licensed professionals and explicitly prohibits unlicensed individuals, corporations, or entities—including those using internet-based AI systems—from offering therapy or psychotherapy services in the state.
Under the Act, AI tools may assist licensed professionals with administrative or supplementary support tasks—like managing appointments, billing, or analyzing anonymized data—but may not engage in therapeutic communication, make independent treatment decisions, or detect a patient’s emotions or mental states. Additionally, AI use in therapy sessions that involve recording or transcription is only allowed if patients are informed in writing and give clear, written consent.
“This law ensures that AI serves as a support tool—not a substitute—for licensed professionals,” the act states, emphasizing that all AI-assisted outputs must be reviewed and approved by a licensed therapist or counselor.
The legislation, now in effect, includes enforcement provisions. Violators may face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per incident, following a formal hearing process by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Exceptions to the law include faith-based counseling, peer support, and publicly available self-help or educational resources that do not claim to offer therapy.
By regulating the use of AI in mental health care, Illinois joins a growing number of states seeking to balance innovation with public safety in one of the most sensitive domains of artificial intelligence deployment.
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