Professor Authors Book on AI's Role in Mental Health Counseling, Presents Research at Stanford University

In a time when technology increasingly intersects with the most intimate aspects of human experience, one Jacksonville University professor is pioneering the delicate balance between artificial intelligence (AI) and authentic healing.

Dr. Seneka Gainer, assistant professor and clinical director of JU's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Palm Coast, is exploring new approaches to mental healthcare with her research on AI and counseling. Her expertise recently earned her an invitation to speak at the prestigious T.H.I.N.K AI in Healthcare Conference at Stanford University, where she participated in a mental health panel and presented a research poster alongside Dr. Aishwarya Joshi of the University of Vermont.

The conference was a catalyst for deeper reflection on empathy's role in AI-assisted therapy. "At the conference in Stanford, a panelist said, 'If you don't think AI has empathy, you're missing it. AI has empathy.' That statement stood out to me because, as a counselor, I am trained to understand empathy as an experience, a skill and an intervention," said Dr. Gainer. "The truth is that AI can only demonstrate empathy if it has been intentionally taught, which reframes empathy as a concept and application that is accessible rather than mystical."

This perspective drives her broader mission as both an academic and industry consultant. "As a professor, researcher, and clinical strategist for an AI company, I am interested in exploring how empathy can be meaningfully trained, integrated and safeguarded within AI technology and the counseling profession," Dr. Gainer explained.

An active researcher in AI, counselor development and trauma, Dr. Gainer has established herself as a thought leader by sharing her insights at numerous national and international conferences. Her influence will expand further with her forthcoming book from the American Counseling Association, "The Counseling Singularity: Empathy & Artificial Intelligence in the Art of Healing," set for release on Dec. 15, 2025.

"Dr. Gainer's work in AI and healthcare reflects our commitment to embracing innovation while keeping patients at the center of every decision," said Dr. Mark Tillman, dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. "As AI becomes more prevalent not only in healthcare but across nearly every sector, it's critical that we prepare students to use these tools responsibly. AI offers tremendous opportunities to enhance accuracy and efficiency in medicine, and it's inspiring to see our faculty leading the way in this field."

Through her research and advocacy, Dr. Gainer is helping to shape a future where technology enhances rather than replaces the fundamental human elements of counseling, ensuring that as we advance into an AI-driven world, we never lose sight of the empathy and connection that lie at the heart of healing.