The rise of Artificial Intelligence has drastically changed technology in the modern world, and is the biggest technological advancement in recent years. Not only has it changed the way people work, study, and search for information, but it has also begun to shift the therapeutic landscape. A growing topic of conversation on social media is how people - especially young people - are using AI for therapeutic support. Its easy accessibility and vast knowledge can be incredibly beneficial for those who can’t access long term private therapy, or need more immediate support while waiting for publicly funded care. But can AI truly replace the role of a therapist?

First, let’s explore some ways that AI can be beneficial in a therapeutic context. AI can help users gain a basic understanding of their thoughts and feelings when they vent about a situation, or submit a personal journal entry. It can generate an analysis and connect it to psychological theories within seconds. With the most recent advancements, AI now often prompts users with follow-up questions or coping strategies to help them feel better - something many people find helpful as a quick fix.

Research consistently shows that the number one predictor of success in therapy is the therapeutic alliance and how safe a client feels with their therapist. A study from Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles found that AI can provide unbiased support regardless of a client’s race, gender, or income, which can go a long way for building rapport and strengthening a sense of safety (Yeo, et al., 2025). Because of how validating AI can be, individuals may feel safer with it than a therapist who is not the right fit.

However, while AI can foster feelings of safety, validation, and non-judgment, it’s important to recognize that users are forming a therapeutic relationship with a non-human entity. Even though AI can mimic some human qualities, it can miss emotional nuances, fails to explore deeper feelings, and cannot link current challenges to past experiences unless that context is explicitly provided.

Therapy also relies heavily on nonverbal communications and the relational dynamic between client and therapist. A therapist can pick up on body language, tone, or facial expressions, and use these cues to explore underlying emotions the client may not be fully aware of. Moreover, therapists can examine how in-the-moment interactions with a client mirrors the client’s experiences and relationships outside of the therapy office - something AI is not equipped to do.

While AI may provide temporary relief from loneliness, research indicates that excessive reliance on AI can increase feelings of isolation. Lindsay Stack (2024) references Wei (2024) study, which suggests that AI algorithms can create feedback loops that intensify loneliness and reinforce harmful thought patterns in vulnerable individuals.

While AI offers exciting possibilities for supplemental mental health support - particularly in increasing accessibility and providing immediate feedback - it should not be viewed as a replacement for human therapists. The emotional attunement, contextual understanding, and nuanced connection that a trained therapist provides remain essential components of long-term healing and psychological growth. As we continue to integrate AI into mental health care, it’s crucial to understand its limitations and use it as a tool, not a substitute, for genuine human connection.

That said, this reflects my perspective on where AI stands today. As the technology continues to evolve and become more sophisticated with the increasing volume of data it’s trained on, its capabilities may expand—and our understanding of its role in therapy could shift in the future.

Sources:

Stack, L. (2024, November). AI and family mental health. Health Action Research. https://www.healthactionresearch.org.uk/selected-blogs/ai-and-family-mental-health/#:~:text=Whilst%20support%20from%20AI%20can,how%20it%20influences%20social%20connections

Cedars-Sinai. (2024, February 20). Can AI improve mental health therapy? https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/can-ai-improve-mental-health-therapy/

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