The Pros And Cons Of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Therapy

Though technology is ever-changing, some things like therapy are viewed as something that should remain the same.

Telehealth has made its strides in the virtual world and is great for convenience, but AI takes it up a notch. Would you trade out a human therapist for AI? Furthermore, would you entrust AI with your deepest secrets?

Let’s take a look at the details.

“AI-assisted therapy involves the use of artificial intelligence to support therapeutic practices,” said Amy Morin, LCSW and author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.

“Sometimes it includes additional tools for people to use in between therapy sessions, like chatbots or apps,” she said. “Other tools may include platforms that help people practice their skills or get feedback.”

This concept may appear scary to some, unconventional to others, and inhumane. Essentially, having a robot listen and coach you through life’s challenges does seem a bit odd, but having round-the-clock access to a supportive source can be a perk.

Unlike human forms of therapy, there aren’t many restrictions when it comes to accessing or scheduling times to have therapy. What if you’re having a crisis at 5 a.m.? Would you give AI a try?

“This commonly looks like a chatbot that an individual can text with to work through various mental health concerns. I’m sure it can also be speech-to-text and vice versa,” said Paul Losoff, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist.

According to a study conducted in 2024, many people felt more comfortable with a chatbot because there was no judgment, a sense of anonymity, no anxiety, and of course, no human interaction when discussing things one may feel embarrassed or ashamed about.

“AI therapy can be helpful for people who lack access to traditional treatment,” Amy said. “It can also be beneficial for people who are looking for more support in between traditional therapy sessions.”

“There is a risk of providing poor advice or direction,” Paul said. “Also the risks increase for individuals whose mental health concerns are more acute, such as schizophrenia or dementia, whose reality testing may not be intact.”

In addition to potentially giving poor advice, the chatbot could malfunction, misconstrue something a patient is saying, and because this isn’t a human, there is no real empathy and emotional connection, let alone the ability to detect mental health issues

“AI therapy is likely to be part of the future of mental health care, but it won’t replace other forms of mental health treatment,” Amy said.

Though it’s unclear how successful AI-assisted therapy can truly be, it could inevitably hold a place in the future as an option. There’s no way to tell how effective it will be until it is utilized.