In an era where technology increasingly intertwines with personal aspects of human life, a professor from Jacksonville University is at the forefront of balancing artificial intelligence (AI) with genuine healing. Dr. Seneka Gainer, an assistant professor and clinical director at JU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, is pioneering new methods in mental healthcare by integrating AI into counseling.
Recently invited to the T.H.I.N.K AI in Healthcare Conference at Stanford University, Dr. Gainer shared her research alongside Dr. Aishwarya Joshi from the University of Vermont. The conference sparked discussions on the role of empathy in AI-assisted therapy. Dr. Gainer reflected on a panelist’s assertion that AI can exhibit empathy if properly trained, challenging traditional views of empathy as a purely human trait.
Her work aims to explore how empathy can be effectively taught and integrated into AI technologies within the counseling field. As a recognized thought leader, Dr. Gainer has presented her insights at various global conferences and is set to publish her book, “The Counseling Singularity: Empathy & Artificial Intelligence in the Art of Healing,” with the American Counseling Association on December 15, 2025.
Dr. Mark Tillman, dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences, emphasizes the importance of innovation in healthcare, highlighting Dr. Gainer’s contributions to preparing students for responsible AI use. Through her research, Dr. Gainer is shaping a future where technology complements the essential human elements of counseling, ensuring empathy and connection remain central to healing in an AI-driven world.
