Can ChatGPT Replace a Therapist? Promising Potential and Possible Pitfalls.

There’s been a lot of talk lately about AI in mental health—therapists in online communities are widely split on their opinions, ranging from embracing AI's potential to warning about its inaccuracies, concerns around data privacy, and fears of chatbots taking over our jobs. Like any new technology, I believe we should be cautious but also curious and open-minded.

Just so you know where I’m coming from, I’m the first to jump on board with new technology, and I’ve used ChatGPT nearly every day since it launched. I’ve used it to create travel itineraries, build meal plans, edit blog posts for grammar/spelling (including this one), help write marketing materials, and—yes—even to access obscure (and less readily available) information on mental health. You’ll be happy to know that this blog post, at least, was written by a real human being.

As a therapist, I’ve found ChatGPT to be a valuable tool for managing scheduling efficiency, brainstorming general interventions, researching unique issues I’m not familiar with, developing questionnaires, and creating general treatment planning checklists (again, very “general” and without using any identifying personal information). I’ve even recommended its use to clients who have found it helpful for building résumé outlines, setting personal goals, and more.

But the real question is: Can ChatGPT replace a therapist? Can the extensive wealth of information built into AI surpass that of your average mental health provider? While AI has promising potential, it also has pitfalls. Despite all the things it can do well, there are ways it falls short—making it, in my opinion, far from ever replacing a human being entirely.

Here are some things AI does well and others it simply can’t do.

Disclaimer:

AI is a new technology. It doesn’t always provide accurate information. AI tools—although extremely impressive so far—are not licensed counselors and cannot necessarily individualize suggestions. We should not expect them to help us manage a crisis. It’s always best to consult with a doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist who is best qualified to help.

What AI Can Do

AI can help you in a pinch.

You can’t always access your social network or a therapist right when you need support. AI chat options like ChatGPT can act as a sort of sounding board, offering tips or suggestions for mental health in the moment. Sometimes, just typing out what’s going on can be cathartic, and you might even find AI to be surprisingly validating.

AI can suggest (or remind you of) coping skills.

It can be hard to recall effective coping skills when you need them most. Looking for ways to manage stress, burnout, or overthinking? You can prompt ChatGPT to generate a list of coping strategies that might be helpful.

Sample prompt and answer:

I asked ChatGPT to give me three defusion strategies for dealing with worry about the future, and here’s what it came up with:

• "I'm Having the Thought That..." – Instead of "What if I fail?", say, "I'm having the thought that I might fail." This helps create distance from the thought so you don’t buy into it as absolute truth.
• "Sing It Out" – Take your worry and sing it to a silly tune (e.g., “Happy Birthday” or a jingle). This makes the thought feel less serious and reduces its emotional grip.
• "Thank You, Mind" – When your mind spirals, say, "Thanks, mind, for trying to protect me!" This acknowledges the thought without arguing with it, making it easier to let go.

AI can provide general advice or consultation.

Dealing with a tricky life issue? Stuck on what to do? Since therapists are more likely to help you develop your own solutions, AI might be more willing to give direct advice. This isn’t to suggest that we should blindly follow AI’s guidance, but it might provide options to consider or perspectives you hadn’t thought of. Use AI’s output as part of your decision-making process, but remember: you are ultimately the expert on your own life.

AI can provide education.

While we should always cross-reference information we receive, AI tools are generally good at providing accurate information on mental health topics.

AI can help with organization.

Need help with time management, schedules, or general organization? AI can suggest strategies and even build out a structured plan for you.

AI can provide access to resources.

It can recommend books, podcasts, websites, and other resources in the realm of mental health.

What AI Can’t Do

AI can’t be completely accurate.

AI is sometimes wrong. The tricky part is that AI tends to be very confident in its responses—even when it’s incorrect. Although it is typically a reliable source of information, it is not a mental health expert. I’ve occasionally had to correct its suggestions, such as when it incorrectly recommended avoiding anxiety triggers—despite exposure often being the more effective approach.

AI can’t diagnose you.

Although AI has promising potential in this area, it cannot yet be relied on for an accurate diagnosis. It might miss context or whole-person considerations (such as culture, background, or complexities of lived experience) that a licensed professional would be better suited to assess.

AI can’t guarantee privacy.

Unlike licensed therapists, who are bound by privacy laws to protect personal information, AI is not subject to the same regulations. Never assume that your sensitive information is completely secure when using AI tools.

AI can’t replace the human element.

Although AI can come across as surprisingly empathetic, it isn’t sentient. There is something uniquely powerful about real human connection, genuine empathy, and the feeling of being truly heard and understood. AI cannot replicate the depth of a human relationship.

AI can’t make crisis-related decisions.

When it comes to immediate crises, human support—such as crisis lines, emergency services, and direct intervention—is essential. AI is not equipped to handle urgent, high-risk situations.