Wednesday, June 10, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET | Online
Presented by Lawrence Murphy Psychotherapist, Executive Director, Worldwide Therapy Online

Description:

What happens when clients turn to AI for comfort, advice, and companionship? As AI tools become more integrated into daily life, they are reshaping how people experience connection, support, and care. This workshop explores how AI systems are designed to engage users, why that engagement can feel deeply personal, and what it means for therapeutic practice. Grounding our discussion in attachment theory, we will unpack the complexity of AI in practice, including links to addiction, risks, and ethical considerations. We will review tools and services that are used in clinical practice like AI booking systems and session transcription and summary services and explore their risks and benefits. Participants will leave this workshop with a deeper understanding of how to approach AI use in a thoughtful, client-centered way, while gaining practical tools for supporting clients.

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain key aspects of mental functioning that contribute to vulnerability in digital interactions
• Demonstrate the ability to assess the appropriateness of AI tools in clinical and practice settings
• Identify strategies AI systems use to influence users and draw connections to patterns of dependency

Presenter Bio:

Lawrence Murphy is the co-founder of Worldwide Therapy Online, the world’s first online clinical practice, established in 1994. He has published extensively in the academic literature including a recent chapter in the Routledge Handbook of African Social Work Education. During the pandemic, Lawrence delivered 144 half-day trainings to a total of more than 15,000 mental health professionals across Canada. In November 2025 he was featured on CTV as an expert on AI and Therapy and has been providing webinars on AI and Clinical Practice to Agencies and Associations across the country. 

Mr. Murphy received his MA in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 1995. He teaches in the Department of Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University and is a full professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Lawrence is presently working on a self-help book based on Narrative Therapy principles entitled Problems Are People Too, to be published in March 2027 by Wiley Publishing Inc.

  Pricing:

• OASW Members Early-Bird Pricing: $80 + HST (OASW member ID # required)
• Non-Members: $200 + HST 
• OASW Student Members: $50 + HST (OASW member ID # and School of Social Work required)
• Student of Social Work Program Non-Members: $100 + HST (Student ID # and School of Social Work required and please register with school email)

PLEASE NOTE: Pricing for OLC Workshops is per person.  If you wish to register staff members, placement students or others, please ensure each learner is registered with their own full name and contact email. Each participant will receive materials and a Zoom link before the event.  OASW reserves the right to remove participants who are not registered.  

To complete your registration, you must "Submit Order". 

NOTE ABOUT REGISTRATION QUESTIONS:
OASW is committed to inclusion and promoting a diverse range of identities, experiences, perspectives, and voices across all areas of the Association. As such, the registration contains some optional questions that are intended to assist us to better understand our social work community and ensure that our work is reflective of the diverse membership of OASW and our profession.

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