CCC 27-3

FROM THE PRESIDENT

y This is the time we need to press into this work. It is time to dig deep, to understand what these technologies can and cannot do, and to use them with great care. We must show up in every conversation about AI with the heart of Christ and the wisdom of His Word. We must never let innovation outrun our convictions or leave com passion behind. You’re not in Kansas anymore. The future of mental healthcare is no longer on the horizon; it is unfolding right before us. Yes, AI will play a growing role in shaping the future of mental healthcare delivery and access, but let’s never forget what remains at the core of our calling—step ping into broken places, walking with people through their pain, and pointing them to the ultimate source of hope and healing, Jesus Christ. I pray that we realize the opportunity to wisely stew ard the development and deployment of these tools and ensure that, as technology like this becomes more acces sible, the truth and love of Christ anchor the new methods available today. That is our charge and calling in the age of AI. ;

ALL-NEW!

SEXUAL ADDICTION RECOVERY COACHING The Sexual Addiction Recovery Coaching Program is a two-part training designed to equip Christian coaches, pastors, and ministry leaders to support individuals and families impacted by sexual addiction. Together, these courses prepare non-professionals to offer hope, healing, and accountability through faith-informed recovery coaching. Includes Sexual Addiction Recovery Coaching 101 and 201

Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, BCP CC, is president of AACC, the world’s largest and most diverse Christian coun seling association. He is also Executive Director of the Global Center for Men tal Health, Addiction, and Recovery and Professor Emeritus at Liberty Universi ty. Dr. Clinton served as co-host of Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, heard on more than 1,400 radio outlets daily, and now hosts a weekend television program, The Road Forward, seen on Real Amer ica’s Voice News streaming service and numerous platforms. He and his son, Zach, launched a new daily meditative prayer podcast on pray.com for mental health and relationships. Dr. Clinton has been married for 43 years to his wife, Ju lie, and they have two children and two granddaughters. Endnotes 1 Heinz, M.V., Mackin, D.M., Trudeau, B.M., Bhattacha rya, S., Wang, Y., Banta, H.A., Jewett, A.D., Salzhauer, A.J., Griffin, T.Z., & Jacobson, N.C. (2025). Randomized trial of a generative AI chatbot for mental health treat ment. NEJM AI, 2 (4). https://doi.org/10.1056/ Aloa2400802. 2 Kelly, M. (2025, March 27). First therapy chatbot tri al yields mental health benefits. Dartmouth. https:// home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/03/first-therapy- chatbot-trial-yields-mental-health-benefits.

10 Christian Counseling Connection