Challenge
Simulation lets students practice before they meet real clients, but access to it is a challenge in social work education. Faculty also wanted a way to talk with students about using AI ethically.
Case study · BSW education
Salisbury uses AI clients before internship and during field placement
Salisbury University School of Social Work uses TMind AI in two undergraduate courses, SOWK 320 Practice I and SOWK 417 Application of Research. Dr. Becky Anthony and Dr. Rachel Buchanan shared what they've learned at the CSWE 2026 Annual Conference.
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Watch the Salisbury University × TMind AI case study video
- Institution
- Salisbury University School of Social Work
- Courses
- SOWK 320 Practice I; SOWK 417 Application of Research
- Faculty
- Dr. Becky Anthony, Dr. Rachel Buchanan
- Presented
- CSWE 2026 Annual Conference, Atlanta
At a glance
What they did
In Practice I, students work with one client all semester, then reflect and consult with peers. In Application of Research, seniors in field placement use professor-designed clients to practice evaluating their work.
What they've seen
- Students could see their skills building, which gave them confidence
- Student feedback has already changed the platform
- Built-in openings to discuss ethical, intentional AI use
- Expanding to all undergraduate sections of Practice I
Faculty observations from classroom use, not a formal study. What faculty learned
One semester of Practice I
How SOWK 320 used TMind AI in spring 2026, the second Practice I class at Salisbury to use it. Students can practice as often as they like; four sessions are submitted as assignments.
- Feb 12Start in classStudents create accounts together and pick one of four clients to work with all semester.
- Before Mar 12Session 1: EngagementOpen questions, reflections of content and feeling, professionalism. Students annotate their transcript like a process recording.
- Mar 12Session 2: Assessment + peer case consultationStudents bring a case consultation sheet and work through their client with a peer group in class.
- After Mar 12Session 3: ContractingStudents try what came out of the consultation and reflect on what changed.
- Apr 23Goals and SMART objectivesStudents write goals for their client, then review a classmate's.
- May 7Session 4: Basic intervention + second consultationDrawing on CBT, motivational interviewing, or solution-focused brief therapy. Students also give honest feedback on the tool, shared anonymously with TMind.
Teaching Practice I or a research course? See TMind with your own client cases and assignments.
Book a Demo“They felt like they could see their skills building and then that gave them confidence.”
Two courses, two stages
Before internship
SOWK 320 Practice I
- Undergraduates practice generalist skills, not clinical ones
- One client all semester, with four sessions submitted as assignments
- Transcripts annotated like process recordings, plus two peer case consultations
During field placement
SOWK 417 Application of Research
- Seniors in their second semester of field placement
- The professor designs the clients
- Students practice case conceptualization, build and apply a measurement plan, run an intervention session they designed, and gather data for a practice evaluation
Scores support reflection, not grades
TMind scores each session, but the scores don't count toward the course grade. Students use them to name strengths and areas to improve, and the instructor comments directly on each shared transcript.
“I do think my students' confidence improved... the vast majority of them... they were excited when they improved.”
Student feedback shapes the platform
Student feedback from the course goes to TMind anonymously, and the platform has changed because of it. Salisbury adapts the assignments each semester and is rolling them out to all undergraduate sections of Practice I.
Frequently asked questions
How does Salisbury University use AI simulated clients in social work education?
Salisbury University School of Social Work uses TMind AI in two undergraduate courses. In SOWK 320 Practice I, students practice engagement, assessment, contracting, and basic intervention with one simulated client before internship. In SOWK 417 Application of Research, seniors in field placement use professor-designed clients to practice case conceptualization, measurement, and practice evaluation.
Can AI simulated clients be used in BSW courses?
Yes. At Salisbury, undergraduates use TMind AI before internship to practice generalist skills rather than clinical ones, and again during field placement to practice evaluating their work. Faculty pair each session with process-recording-style reflection and peer case consultation.
How are AI simulation assignments graded in Salisbury's Practice I course?
TMind's session scores don't count toward the grade. Students annotate their own transcript like a process recording, answer reflection questions, and share a link to the session history so the instructor can comment on it.
What did Salisbury faculty learn from using AI simulation?
Students are nervous about engaging with clients, more so after some experience, and need more time than expected to get comfortable with simulated clients. Faculty found that discussing the purpose of the simulation and ethical, intentional AI use is key, that students need examples of how to handle client interactions, and that teaching has to adjust.
Can faculty design their own simulated clients in TMind AI?
Yes. In Salisbury's SOWK 417 Application of Research, the professor designs the clients students work with, so the cases match what the course needs to teach.
What is TMind AI?
TMind AI is a clinical training platform where social work, counseling, and mental health students practice with AI simulated clients and get feedback on each session. Programs using it include Simmons University, Salisbury University, University of Washington, National University of Singapore, Delaware State University, University of South Carolina, Texas Christian University, and the University of Houston.
Sources
- Buchanan, R., & Anthony, B. (2026, October 23). Using AI Simulation in Social Work Classes. In P. Desrosiers (Facilitator), Promoting Sustainable Teaching Practice Through the Use of Generative AI [Panel]. CSWE 2026 Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
- Salisbury University School of Social Work, SOWK 320 Practice I: TMind.ai simulation assignments, Spring 2026.
- Anthony, R. Interview with TMind AI, “From Salisbury University: A Testimonial”, September 2025.
- Faculty: Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Anthony and Dr. Rachel Buchanan, Salisbury University School of Social Work.
Last updated .
Bring simulated clients into your social work courses
Practice before internship, evaluation during field placement, and a transcript of every session.