AI and Therapy: A Useful Tool, But Not a Substitute for Human Connection.
AI seems to have become a normalised part of our every day lives, and the world of mental health is no exception. From mood tracking apps and support tools to conversational ‘assistants’ that offer deep dive therapeutic conversations.
With personal therapy being a significant investment, it’s only natural to wonder whether these AI options stack up against working with a human therapist. It’s something I often get asked about, and a very live conversation amongst therapists ourselves.
Where AI Can Be Genuinely Useful
For many people, one of the biggest barriers to getting mental health support is ease of access. AI tools are easily accessed at 2am when anxiety spikes and sleep won’t come. They don’t require an appt, fees, a waiting list, or the courage to pick up the phone. For someone who isn’t yet ready to speak to a real person, that kind of low-pressure starting point can have real value.
They can also be a helpful support if you are in therapy, for additional support around things like tracking your mood changes, learning about mental health topics in a private, self-paced way, or for discovering simple techniques like breathing exercises or journaling prompts. Used in this way, alongside therapy, many people find AI to be a useful way to maintain momentum between sessions.
What AI Cannot Currently Do
All that being said, there is something that happens in a real therapeutic relationship that no app can currently replicate.
Therapy isn’t simply about sharing information and learning coping techniques. Much of its true value comes from the experience of being fully seen and heard by another human being. and in bringing the complicated, messy parts of yourself into a room and finding that you are still accepted. This is what therapists refer to as the therapeutic relationship, and research consistently shows it to be one of the most significant factors in creating change.
An AI tool can respond to what you type. It cannot notice the hesitation before you say something difficult. It cannot pick up on the fact that you laugh when you talk about something painful, or sit with you in a silence that feels safe rather than awkward. It cannot hold the kind of thoughtful, boundaried, human space that therapy offers — and it is not designed to offer support through crisis, trauma, or more complex mental health difficulties. In those situations, professional skills and a secure relationship really does matter.
A Balanced View
Whatever we feel about the speed of AI advancements, AI therapy tools are not necessarily something we need to be alarmed about. Used thoughtfully, they can be one small part of looking after yourself, in the same way that a going for a walk or using a meditation app might be. But they work best as a supplement, not a substitute, and it’s worth being clear about the difference.
If you have been thinking about therapy and want to understand more about what it actually involves, I offer a free 30-minute introductory call. There is no pressure and no commitment, just a conversation about where you are and whether working together might feel right for you.
And if you want to explore how AI can offer support in between sessions, then we can talk that through too so we can set parameters that feel additive to the work in the room, and supportive of your wider goals.
Photo by Microsoft Copilot on Unsplash
