Dirty, Dull, and Dangerous: AI, Exposure Therapy, and the Future of Clinical Practice with Dr. Andrew Sherrill

In this episode, Dr. Ernest Wayde speaks with Dr. Andrew Sherrill, an Emory psychologist specializing in anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, to explore how AI can support—not replace—clinicians. Dr. Sherrill explains how automation can take on the dirty, dull, and dangerous tasks that bog down therapists, freeing them to focus on empathy and evidence-based care.

Drawing from exposure therapy, he offers a powerful parallel for psychologists learning to face their own “AI anxiety.” By approaching new technology the same way we help clients face fears—gradually, with curiosity and compassion—clinicians can engage with AI ethically, creatively, and confidently.

Takeaways:

• AI should replace tasks, not therapists.
• Exposure therapy principles can reduce technophobia and build comfort with AI.
• Stay in the loop: always validate and supervise AI outputs.
• Use AI creatively for safe exposure stimuli (VR, AR, LLMs), but maintain clinical oversight.
• Avoidance fuels anxiety—curiosity builds competence.

Guest Links:

Dr. Andrew M. Sherrill | evidencefirstsolutions.com

AI studies with clinicians registry: http://bit.ly/TEAMMAIT_Study