Invited Panel: AI in clinical neuropsychology practice: Applications, implications, and regulatory requirements
Chair: Dr Amie Foran
Panel:
Rachel Philips, PsyBA
Prof Carmela Pestell, Co-Author APS 2025 AI Guidelines
Dougall Phillips, Clinical Neuropsychologist
Meth Delpachitra, Medical Officer, Medical Devices Surveillance, TGA
Anastasia Serafimovska, Clinical Psychologist, co-author JCEN papers
Rachel Phillips Carmela Pestell Dougal Phillips Adina Hayek Anastasia Serafimovska
Abstract:
Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, including neuropsychological practice, is touted as offering transformative potential—ranging from enhanced diagnostic accuracy to reduced administrative burdens via generative AI scribes—but presents significant challenges in safety, equity, and accountability. Many clinical neuropsychologists have questions about the role of AI in our practice. Increasingly, we see references to “responsible” and ethical AI use, raising questions about the burden of responsibility for this practice, including as institutional and social positions develop around us, affecting public sentiment and work practices. In this rapidly changing practice environment, this expert AI panel provides vital insights into key regulations, guidelines, and practice tips.
Learning objectives:
1. Update understanding of key regulations and guidelines on AI use in healthcare and neuropsychological practice.
2. Further insights and awareness of safety, equity and accountability issues related to AI use in healthcare.
3. Deepen knowledge of current and potential future applications of AI in contemporary neuropsychological practice and healthcare.
Level: This panel will suit clinical neuropsychologists with any level of experience, with an interest in artificial intelligence in psychological practice. No background knowledge is required.
About the experts:
Rachel Philips: is the current chair of the PsyBA
Professor Carmela Pestell is a registered psychologist with endorsed areas of practice in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, who has been based at the University of WA (School of Psychological Science) since 2013. In 2025, she was a member of the Australian Psychological Society working group that updated 24 Professional Practice Guidelines, including those addressing artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in psychological practice. She brings nearly 30 years of experience across clinical, forensic, and medicolegal settings, with senior leadership roles in public health and university postgraduate training. Her work has included directing statewide neuroscience and psychology services, postgraduate training (including clinical and research supervision), and service delivery in metropolitan, rural, and remote settings (across private and public sectors). Dr Pestell’s clinical and research expertise focuses on neurodevelopmental conditions and brain injury across the lifespan, with a focus on improving assessment, diagnosis, and intervention. She brings to this panel expertise in clinical governance, ethics, and the practical implications of AI for contemporary neuropsychological practice and training.
Dougal Phillips is a senior clinical neuropsychologist with more than a decade of experience across public health and private practice. He is the director of PsyAx, a Melbourne-based neuropsychology practice, and also works at Bayside Health in aged psychiatry. Before training as a psychologist, he worked as a NAATI-accredited Japanese interpreter and translator and taught translation and Japanese language at several universities. His clinical interests include the differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders in individuals with high cognitive reserve, digital neuropsychology, and the intersection between neuropsychology and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).
Dr Adina Hayek is an Acting Senior Medical Adviser with the Devices Clinical Evaluation Section at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). She has a clinical background in General Practice; and has been involved in providing regulatory advice for medical devices since 2021. Over this time, she has reviewed and provided regulatory advice for medical devices that incorporate AI.
Panel Member: Anastasia Serafimovska
Anastasia Serafimovsk is a is a clinical psychologist and PhD candidate at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, with clinical expertise in fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain, and CBT‑based interventions adapted for chronic illness. Miss Serafimovska has a background in neuroscience and pharmacology, with over seven years’ experience as a research assistant across multiple areas including psycho‑oncology, addiction, and gambling research. Miss Serafimovska’s PhD thesis investigates modifiable behavioural and psychological mechanisms linking sleep, mood and cognition to functional impairment and dementia risk. This work also plans to create a co‑designed and evidence‑based, scalable online therapy that integrates CBT‑I with pain adaptations for older adults at risk of dementia. Ms Serafimovska has a strong interest in sleep disturbance, pain, and cognition in older adults, as well as the role AI can play in scalable, long‑term solutions to enhance quality of life.