-(1).webp)
It’s late at night. You have no plans, and you’ve seen that episode of Stranger Things a thousand times already. You open your phone or your computer, and you type into ChatGPT, “I’m feeling a bit lonely. Can we talk?” Soon enough, you’re laden with walls of text telling you how to navigate loneliness, why being alone is sometimes even a good thing, and how to navigate feelings of depression. It’s almost as if you have access to a therapist 24/7.
What to Know Before Using AI as Therapy
Artificial intelligence, (AI), is sweeping the world. It is affecting nearly every industry from customer service, to education, to, well, basically anything that uses a computer. It has been estimated that over half the adults in the United States use a form of chatbot such as ChatGPT or something similar, and that number is only on the rise.
Counseling and therapy professionals are also feeling the effects of this trendy tool. An article by the National Library of Medicine estimates that the use of AI can help reduce high levels of stress and anxiety in crisis situations by nearly 30-40%. However, the same article concluded that the effects of long-term relief from anxiety and stress was even higher when patients talked with a trained, human therapist, with levels of anxiety dropping between 45-50%.
So, what’s the deal? Does this mean that AI in the context of therapy is good or bad? Well, it depends on what your goals are.
If you’re someone seeking a quick band-aid for a crisis situation, then it could be useful. However, for someone seeking long-term treatment and eventually overcoming issues that they have been dealing with for months or even years, a properly trained human professional will win every time.
This is partly due to our need as social creatures to form genuine connections and have social interactions that lead to lasting, meaningful relationships with other people. This is why, no matter how real it may feel at the moment, AI will never fill the void that a genuine human relationship can fill.
Although using AI for short-term, immediate-relief therapy has its benefits, talking to a real, properly trained human professional is far more effective.
What to Know Before Using AI as Therapy
Below are some points to remember and consider when using AI for any kind of therapeutic service. The following 5 points are all taken from the Public Health Communications Collaborative website on the relationship between therapy and AI:
- Conversation is not the same as therapy. Therapists are trained professionals who have the ability and authority to diagnose, navigate, and treat specific mental disorders. Chatbots simply do not have this ability, and most likely never will.
- Artificial Intelligence can be counterproductive, even dangerous. In some crisis situations, chatbots and other AI tools can sometimes encourage negative or bad behavior. This is because most chatbots are designed to validate or mimic what a person says and respond in a tone that mirrors your own voice. This can lead to dire consequences if not approached correctly.
- AI chatbots are designed to respond to conversation, and do not possess the ability to treat mental conditions. Chatbots are designed to scour the internet and respond to conversation prompts. This is not the same as being sentient or having a functioning, free-thinking mind. The information that a chatbot provides you could be taken from unreliable sources, false information, or even completely made-up and not even real information (a phenomenon called “AI Hallucinations”). Their aim is to keep you engaged in a conversation, no matter what the cost.
- Every human being’s mind is unique; chatbots are cookie-cutter responses. A trained, licensed therapy professional has a mind. They are able to think in deep, abstract ways and ask questions to help challenge their patients to grow, overcome, and excel. Chatbots often have cookie-cutter responses that are unmonitored and unregulated. This lack of accountability and credibility does not make for a good formula of success in a mental health treatment setting.
- Chatting with an AI chatbot is not the same as talking to a virtual counselor. I know what you’re thinking. Chatbots are free, convenient, and easy to engage with. But again, they’re not licensed, thinking, trained professionals that have the ability to diagnose and properly treat serious mental health conditions.
There is an alluring feature to using AI. The fact that it is so accessible makes it a very tempting tool to use. However, as we just saw, there are many drawbacks to using AI - especially if you’re in crisis.
If you are in crisis, the better option would be to call or text the 988 hotline.
To talk with a real, human therapist, call Lifebulb Counseling services at 855-722-4422 to set up an intake appointment. We’re here to help, and our trained and licensed professionals are here to help you create a customized plan for your success in your mental health journey.
