Hearts without Humans: The Psychological Costs of Artificial Companionship

Trainer

Melanie Morgan, MS, LPC, CFBT

Description

Training Description

Hearts Without Humans: The Psychological Costs of Artificial Companionship Lunch and Learn session is designed to offer a foundational understanding of online AI companionship and the potential psychological risks associated with these types of relationships.

Human connection and intimacy are fundamental needs. With the rise of AI chatbots specifically built to fulfill these emotional needs, individuals who struggle to connect with family, peers, or coworkers may turn to artificial companionship. While these AI interactions may temporarily address feelings of loneliness or isolation, reliance on them, without additional support or real-world connection, can ultimately deepen those very feelings and contribute to further emotional and social withdrawal.

Please note: This is a brief overview session. It is not intended to address every aspect of AI companionship or to provide comprehensive research findings or therapeutic interventions.

Trainer Bio

Melanie Morgan is the Clinical Consultant for Berks County Family Based for Pennsylvania Counseling and the Assistant Director of the Pennsylvania Clinical Training Institute. Her role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including providing training opportunities, offering administrative support for Family-Based programs, supervising staff pursuing their LPC licensure, conducting interviews for prospective Family-Based therapists, and delivering therapy through Pennsylvania Counseling Services’ outpatient program.

In her capacity, Melanie facilitates training opportunities within both the Pennsylvania Counseling Services Training Center and the Pennsylvania Clinical Training Institute. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology, with a minor in English, from Millersville University (2010) and her graduate degree in Counseling, with a focus on Infant Mental Health, from Chatham University (2013). Over the course of her career, Melanie has become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania, a Certified Family-Based Therapist, a Level II Attachment-Based Family Therapist, and has achieved DDAP certification.

Melanie’s career and mission have focused on providing community mental health treatment and training opportunities for clinical therapists, administrative staff, school personnel, and community members. She is DDAP-certified to work with substance-related disorders, trained to address problematic sexual behaviors through a systemic lens, and skilled in working with children and families using the Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy model.

Melanie brings an eclectic approach to training, incorporating information-based sessions, hands-on interactive activities, and clinical case presentations. She has delivered training across a variety of platforms, including in-person large group sessions, consultation groups, conference presentations, clinical supervision for licensure, telehealth, and hybrid formats.

Credits Available

1.00 APA CE Credits For Psychologists, Social Workers or Professional Counselors
(See Additional Credit Details)