The internet brought a lot of power to our fingertips. Thanks to that power, many of us have become dependent on the instant gratification the internet brings. That includes mental healthcare, too. ChatGPT has given us the ability to ask a question and get an answer within seconds. Gone are the days when you would have to dig through links to find what you’re looking for.
Chatbot support isn’t the same as professional therapy. AI lacks clinical training, a sense of true empathy, and any legal accountability. But can AI and mental health work alongside each other? It’s a great concept, but does it work that well in practice? And is it safe to use? Let’s explore how AI therapy came about, what makes it a great tool, and why it might become a problem.
The Genesis of AI Therapy
It might surprise you to find out that the concept of AI therapy has been around since the 1960s. MIT professor and scientist Joseph Weizenbaum was tinkering with the idea of conversational simulation of psychotherapy by creating something called ELIZA. Initially, he created a script to parody a psychotherapist, showing his peers that human-computer communication was superficial at best. Instead, he was surprised to find how deeply users engaged with it on an emotional level.
This laid the groundwork for current AI mental health therapy. AI uses things like language models and natural language processing to interpret your text. It recognizes patterns in your input, thereby identifying recurring emotional themes. Some AI programs can even track your sleep patterns and let you log your moods and feelings. These are all great tools to keep in your mental health toolbox.
There’s Always Someone There
Sometimes, when you need someone the most, they might not be available to you. Be it a friend, family member, or therapist, there will come a time when you need to reach out and have someone there to listen to you. This is where an AI therapist can come in. They don’t need to sleep or take a vacation. They’re right there, at your fingertips, the second you need to feel understood or validated.
That’s why some professionals in the mental health field are in favor of the use of AI emotional support. Humans can’t possibly be everywhere at once. Having a ready and available ear to listen to you vent about your day or struggles is a great outlet for your emotions. It’s a low-cost, anonymous way to get those big feelings off of your chest.
Availability
AI tools can be accessible whenever someone wants to talk.
Convenience
A conversation can begin without an appointment.
Limitations
Instant support is not a substitute for clinical care.
When Reassurance Becomes the Default
Getting immediate feedback from an AI tool can encourage you to rely on it. You might seek a chatbot out to help you regulate your emotions, rather than trying to do that work yourself. Sitting with uncomfortable thoughts or feelings is incredibly hard. But it’s an important part of growth during mental health therapy.
We can’t always resolve our discomfort immediately. That’s what mental health chatbots aim to do. It’s not that having reassurance is a bad thing. But learning how to navigate those uncomfortable thoughts and feelings will only help to build your emotional resilience. You won’t find yourself entering an avoidance cycle once you process these issues. A therapist can help guide you through that process by helping you name those feelings and recognize how it feels in your body.
The most comforting answer is not always the one that helps us grow.
Validation is Crucial, As is Being Challenged
The importance of having your feelings validated can’t be overstated. We all want to be understood, even if someone happens to disagree with us. The point is that they heard you. But there is a big difference between being supportive of someone’s feelings and enabling them. Some behaviors are unhealthy and shouldn’t be validated.
Validation isn’t the only thing you need to grow as a person. In fact, it can be incredibly harmful to constantly be validated in your thoughts and opinions. Validating someone’s feelings doesn’t mean agreeing with every belief or endorsing every behavior. No one is right all the time, and it’s okay to be wrong. The intricacies of the human mind are tricky to navigate, and confirmation bias is strong in the AI community. Basically, AI really wants to tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to hear.
A human therapist will tell you exactly that. Therapy with a professional can involve identifying patterns, questioning assumptions, recognizing avoidance, setting goals, and practicing skills. It may feel awkward and uncomfortable at times, and that’s okay, too.
AI Therapy Should Be One of Many Tools in Your Toolbox
It’s crucial that you have many different tools in your toolbox to use when expressing yourself. Think about it like you’re a mechanic. Mechanics use multiple different types of tools throughout their workday. There is no one-size-fits-all tool to get every single job done. Each tool is used in different ways to get that engine running.
Keep in mind that, often, the most helpful response isn’t always the one you come upon the fastest or find the most comforting. At the Center of Excellence, our goal is to help you put as many tools in your toolbox as possible. That’s why we offer different types of services when it comes to therapy. It will take a joint effort when creating a plan unique to your needs, and your input is crucial. We can help you take control of your mental health journey.