03 February 2026

Banning AI Therapists, Taking on the ASWB Exam, and Exploring the NASW | Kyle Hillman

The Critical Social Worker: A Revolutionary Storytelling Podcast

About

In Episode 81 of The Critical Social Worker: A Revolutionary Storytelling Podcast, Professor Ace sits down with Kyle Hillman (NASW) to talk about where social work is headed, and what happens when the profession drifts too far into “clinical-only” identity at the expense of advocacy and policy power.

We dig into the push to ban AI “therapists,” ethical risk in AI-supported practice, the interstate compact and uneven access to care, and why the Association of Social Work Boards exam remains a barrier for many capable social workers. We also get into paid field placements, student debt, and what it looks like to reform institutions without losing political clarity.

Connect and collaborate: castettler@alaska.edu

More work + resources: RevolutionarySocialWork.com

Chapters

00:00 Theme song + intro

01:31 Introduction and Personal Reflections

04:54 The Role of NASW and Advocacy in Social Work

08:43 The Evolution of Social Work: Challenges and Changes

12:19 AI in Social Work: Opportunities and Concerns

19:31 Ethical Implications of AI in Therapy

26:28 Navigating the Future: Educating the Next Generation

28:33 The Fight for Clinical Care Time

29:21 Concerns About AI in Clinical Care

30:34 Disparities in Care and AI's Role

32:04 Interstate Compact: Benefits and Risks

33:19 Cultural Competency in Telehealth

36:36 The Compact's Impact on Workforce Dynamics

40:13 Critical Thinking in Social Work

47:28 Dismantling Barriers in Social Work Licensing

57:57 Dismantling Barriers in Social Work

01:02:53 Advocating for Paid Field Placements

01:07:53 Challenging the Status Quo

01:16:31 The Future of Social Work Education

#SocialWork #NASW #SocialWorkAdvocacy #AIinSocialWork #EthicalAI #MentalHealth #SocialWorkPolicy #ClinicalSocialWork #ASWB #SocialWorkLicensing #InterstateCompact #Telehealth #SocialWorkEducation #FieldPlacement #PaidInternships #NonprofitLeadership #MemberEngagement #CommunityOrganizing #CriticalSocialWork #RevolutionarySocialWork