# AI Systems in Text-Based Online Counselling: Ethical Considerations Across Three Implementation Approaches

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.08878 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.08878/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 12 Jan 2026.

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Transition-Matrix Regularization for Next Dialogue Act Prediction in Counselling Conversations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.18539/) (2026)
- [N"urnberg NLP @ GermEval Shared Task 2026: Harmful Content Detection in German Social Media through Error-Independent LLM Voters](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.22246/) (2026)
- [GEMCo: A Validated, Ethically Releasable Proxy for Inaccessible Counselling Data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.23621/) (2026)
- [N"urnberg NLP at ChildSafeAds 2026: Structurally Dissimilar Voter Ensembles under Four Levels of Data Access](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.34986/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Text-based online counselling scales across geographical and stigma barriers, yet faces practitioner shortages, lacks non-verbal cues and suffers inconsistent quality assurance. Whilst artificial intelligence offers promising solutions, its use in mental health counselling raises distinct ethical challenges. This paper analyses three AI implementation approaches - autonomous counsellor bots, AI training simulators and counsellor-facing augmentation tools. Drawing on professional codes, regulatory frameworks and scholarly literature, we identify four ethical principles - privacy, fairness, autonomy and accountability - and demonstrate their distinct manifestations across implementation approaches. Textual constraints may enable AI integration whilst requiring attention to implementation-specific hazards. This conceptual paper sensitises developers, researchers and practitioners to navigate AI-enhanced counselling ethics whilst preserving human values central to mental health support.