The “Human” Touch in Therapy—Will AI Bots Like ChatGPT Replace Therapists?

Picture this: you’re going through a hard time at work; the deadlines are tight, and the workload is high. Or, you’re going through a tough time with your partner and are struggling to feel heard, and you feel the need to talk to a mental health professional. 

Do you think Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be the right solution for these situations? We will try to answer this question—with comments from trained therapists. 

Also read: How Technology is Changing Mental Health: The Latest Treatments for Depression, 2022

The AI Revolution

Forbes reckons that the AI revolution is closer than you think—and that is very true. ChatGPT was released back in November 30th, 2022, and it has pretty much taken the world by storm. Suddenly, we have people questioning the longevity of their careers and using this nifty little tool to write stories, create strategy, and so much more. 

ChatGPT is a trailblazer in a lot of ways. It can emulate human responses pretty well. The model can answer follow-up questions, correct its mistakes, give you answers to very open-ended questions, and so on. The responses feel pretty human too, if you ask it a question like “I feel very down right now”, the response is: 

“I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling low. If you're comfortable sharing, would you like to talk about what's been causing you to feel this way? It's important to take the time to address and process difficult emotions in order to move through them. Additionally, you can also consider reaching out for professional help, talking to a trusted friend or family member, or finding healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise or mindfulness practices. Remember that it's okay to not be okay, and it's important to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally.”

If you further describe your feelings and emotions, the model can respond according to the context of your answer. It all feels very magical, very futuristic. This is just one of the many well-polished AI chat models out there, there are many more tools that are being polished and improved right as you read this article. It is supposed to change the way we interact with the internet, and how we get our work done, and so much more. 

It almost feels like you’re talking to a human. 

But that is where it also falls short—AI is not human. 

Also read: What to Expect From Therapy for Depression

Can AI Provide the Right Mental Health Support?

You are a product of multiple things—your upbringing, your social circle, their environment, their experiences, and so much more. No two human beings perceive one thing in the same way. There will always be differences in the way you process information, and experience emotions. 

While this makes every you a beautiful constellation of unique traits, it also means that you will experience mental health concerns differently. For instance, you and your friend might have depression, but you might have a completely different set of symptoms. You might be experiencing insomnia (difficulty falling asleep), and your friend might be sleeping a lotl. You might also experience a symptom and not be able to describe it. For instance, a common concern that people face during depression is difficulty in feeling emotion. Many people may not be able to describe this accurately. 

These are just two edge cases, but there are hundreds of other possible scenarios where a therapist would be able to give you the right support when you need it. A therapist would be able to discern the support you require from their knowledge and experience. They can give real human insight into what you are going through, and they can offer empathy. 

Also read: How Effective is Therapy for Depression?

The Human Connection in Therapy

The “human” aspect might seem a bit arbitrary, and that is because it is. Human beings are a social species. They require a social connection with other human beings in order to function adaptively and thrive. Studies have even shown that a lack of human connection can lead to conditions like dementia and depression. 

One of the biggest reasons why therapy is such a crucial part of treatment is because of the need for this human connection. Just the simple act of having an open conversation with a friend can help you cope with stress and handle some difficult emotions—but talking to a therapist is a completely different experience. A therapist has the training, education and experience to talk you through your concerns in an adaptive way - while also creating a safe space for you to open up and process your thoughts and feelings. They can help you dig up experiences, process emotions that you did not know were there, and so on. 

Here’s what a therapist at Amaha said about therapists being replaced by AI - 

“Each person is unique, and their individual circumstances are different. Also, what works for each person (therapy style/mode, therapist characteristics) is so uniquely specific that I don't think AI is the answer” 

Can AI aid the mental health space?

At the most basic level, technology solves for access and convenience. People can find support from anywhere in the world through a digital platform. Technology also enables automation of certain processes and protocols—which can help save time and make quality healthcare delivery more efficient. Finally, technology can be the support tool in and of itself – in the form of digitised content and tools that can be consumed by individuals. 

This is where AI comes into the picture and can amplify the care that is made available to individuals. AI can potentially aid clinicians in making faster, more accurate diagnosis and analysing client information/data to help clinicians predict relapses and other high risk situations. However, AI in clinical situations is best used in conjunction with expert human support to provide safe, effective and personalised care. 

The bottom line

The bottom line is that therapists are not going anywhere any time soon. While AI is making huge strides, human beings would also require the warmth and connection that comes from another human therapist. 

However, this does not mean that AI will not be used in mental health support. It can be used as a supplementary tool for support in times of distress when a therapist is not available. It has a lot of applications for the good of human beings, and there will be a time when it will be used actively, even in mental health. 

If you have been looking for help for any concerns that you’re facing, do not hesitate to reach out to an Amaha therapist—they will be able to help you find the safe space you’re looking for.