Date of Conferral

8-6-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Gunjan Bansal

Abstract

Emerging technologies are reshaping behavioral health leadership by changing documentation, communication, ethical responsibilities, and role expectations. Qualitative case study research methodology was used in this study. The problem addressed in this case study was the limited understanding of how emerging technologies influence the leadership identity and professional values of behavioral health leaders. The Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework guided this study of behavioral health leaders at a privately operated behavioral health organization in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Data were collected by conducting semistructured interviews with four behavioral health leaders at the organization and gathering internal archival and operational materials. Data analysis involved an iterative, inductive qualitative coding process. Six themes emerged: human connection, technology burden, leadership identity, communication, AI use, and ethical/confidentiality responsibilities. Participants described technology as essential yet burdensome and AI as useful yet concerning. Technology supported documentation, communication, coordination, and accountability while creating challenges related to workload, availability, ethics, and relational communication. Recommendations include developing technology and AI governance guidelines, strengthening workforce training, preserving human-centered communication, and improving postdischarge outcome tracking. This study may contribute to positive social change by furthering behavioral health organizational leaders’ understanding of the necessity to use emerging technologies while protecting client confidentiality, relational care, and service continuity for clients, families, staff, leaders, and communities.

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