In the US, 20% of adults and 30% of young adults say they experience loneliness on a daily basis. While the internet makes the world feel more connected than ever, people are feeling more divided, isolated, and alone.
It’s safe to say that we’re in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, and many young people and adults are turning to AI like ChatGPT to provide emotional support and connection.
In this blog, we pose the difficult question – is it okay to use ChatGPT as a therapist? Can it ever replace human connection? We dive into the benefits and risks that come with using artificial intelligence as a replacement for human companionship. Keep reading to find out when it’s okay to use AI for guidance and how to get support.
What Is ChatGPT and What Can It Do?
ChatGPT is a chatbot – an AI system trained to understand text input and generate human-like responses – accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Since its release in 2022, it’s grown and adapted in ways humans didn’t think would be possible. Some people find it so lifelike and responsive that they relate to ChatGPT almost like a friend or counselor. But, could this AI tool ever replace human relationships?
We understand why so many people are tempted to use AI as a replacement for seeking connection or professional help. Access to affordable professional mental health care doesn’t always feel possible, and with the weight of current events on our shoulders, it can be difficult to reach out to each other for help and support. It might feel easier to connect with a bot – an entity that is not designed to judge or dislike its users in any way, and can respond with friendly words and seemingly sound advice.
But while ChatGPT, or any form of AI for that matter, is not a therapy replacement, we believe that it can offer solutions in circumstances like these:
Using AI to help you process your emotions
If used correctly, ChatGPT can provide some solace for anyone struggling with their mental health or dealing with negative emotions. Here are some ways you could use it as a therapeutic tool:
- Digital journal: Journaling is a very helpful coping strategy. Instead of putting pen to paper, you might type how your day went to ChatGPT. While it can’t actually understand the emotions you feel, it can mimic an empathetic response.
- Helping with negative thoughts: If you struggle with generalized anxiety disorder, depression, or just can’t get your mind to switch off, you can ask ChatGPT or other AI tools for therapeutic techniques to help you reframe your negative thoughts and emotions.
- Instant accessibility: When emotions run high, it can feel like the whole world is crashing down. In times like these, talking to ChatGPT – which is available on-hand, 24/7 – can offer comfort and supportive words to help you recenter.
When you need a non-judgmental space to express your feelings, interrupt negative thoughts, or exchange friendly messages, using ChatGPT therapy may help in the short term. But it’s important to remember that complex mental health issues require nuanced attention and support, and to recognize when you need more intervention than AI can provide.
Limitations of AI therapy
The reality is, no form of AI can ever replace human connection. Even with its most impressive advancements, the AI language model can only simulate human-like responses and interactions.
True healing and connection requires the support of a real human being to help process your emotions and past experiences. Here are some of the risks of using ChatGPT as a therapist or sole source of connection:
Not a licensed therapist
Becoming a licensed therapist – a registered mental health professional who’s qualified to give advice to clients – is no easy feat. Trained therapists undergo many years of education and hands-on training to get their license, and it’s unfair to suggest that any form of AI could replicate that experience and expertise.
Therapists take the time to get to know your unique background and circumstances and are able to pick up on subtle body language and other nonverbal cues to understand what you’re feeling.
And unlike ChatGPT, they do more than offer sympathetic responses and basic coping advice – they know how to handle complex mental health issues like chronic anxiety, major depressive disorder, and psychological trauma.
Confidentiality and privacy
While speaking to AI and voicing your concerns and emotions can seem safe, there are some privacy concerns associated with using ChatGPT. Even if you delete your chat history, the information you shared may be stored in OpenAI systems indefinitely, leaving it vulnerable to leaks or other misuse.
When you speak to a licensed therapist, they’re both legally and ethically required to keep it confidential. Unless you’re in physical danger, everything you say stays between the four walls of your therapy session.
Not a mutual relationship
AI chatbots can generate what seem like empathetic responses, but they can’t truly understand your complex emotions. Human-to-human relationships – whether with a licensed professional or a close personal friend – go further than that. We understand each other’s pain, joy, struggles, and fears, because we’ve experienced them in our own lives.
While AI might mimic this understanding, a human will be able to identify and connect with who you are and how you’re feeling in a much deeper way. And it’s that depth and reciprocity that creates relationships that help us heal and grow.
Risk of over-reliance
Prolonged use of ChatGPT – or any chatbot – instead of traditional therapy or human relationships puts you at risk of becoming emotionally dependent on AI.
Connecting with other people is vital to our mental health and well-being, and an over-reliance on AI can weaken your social skills and distort your expectations – making it even more difficult to form strong social bonds when we need them the most. What may have started as a simple way to feel less lonely in the short term may leave you feeling more disconnected and isolated in the long run.
Risk of misinterpretation and ethical concerns
When it comes to giving mental health care advice, AI can only provide a general interpretation of psychological material and may miss important nuances. It definitely can’t be held responsible for giving safe, legitimate advice like a traditional therapist can.
ChatGPT generates responses based on data and algorithms, not genuine human experience. It doesn’t know when a response could be harmful or classed as ill-advice. A human therapist will know the safest, healthiest way to intervene, whether you’re in severe distress or are looking for ways to cope with ongoing mental health concerns.
When to speak to a mental health professional
If you’re struggling with mental health problems and are experiencing persistent feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or depression, it could be time to reach out to a licensed mental health professional. AI can be helpful when used intermittently, but not as a substitute for human connection or the long-term, personalized care of real therapy.
Reaching out for help is a sign of personal growth, whether you call up a friend or family member, or seek professional help. And when it comes to your well-being, you deserve more than a quick fix.
Get the Care and Connection You Deserve at Region Five
If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health, we can offer a safe space and the necessary support to help you get back on track.
Region Five provides a professional, non-judgmental environment for those dealing with mental health issues, with access to mental health therapy, peer support groups, and more.
Contact your local CSB, and we’ll connect you with the right resources to help you on your journey. Or visit the Crisis Receiving Center and take the next step towards connection today.
