AI Chatbots Emotional Support Or Therapy Replacement

The New Digital Confidant AI Chatbots for Personal Issues

An increasing number of individuals are seeking support for their personal challenges from AI chatbots like ChatGPT. This trend reflects a significant shift in how AI tools are perceived and utilized. A Harvard report indicates that by 2025, the demand for AI tools is expected to evolve substantially. While previously these technologies were mainly applied for technical tasks, their broader adoption has brought emotional support and personal development into sharper focus as key application areas.

Real Users Real Experiences AI for Emotional Support

Young professionals are among those exploring AI for help with daily struggles. Rita Marcelino, an IT consultant, shares that she uses ChatGPT "to combat some nervousness or to help me gain confidence before important moments such as a job interview, a presentation or even to structure thoughts when I feel more indecisive". Similarly, João Aranha, a business development representative, values the "immediate" availability of chatbots. He explains that this instant access is a major plus, as it doesn't require scheduling "an appointment". Aranha adds, "Like so many people of my generation, when I have a problem I want to solve it on the spot."

A Psychologists View The Limits of AI in Therapy

When questioned about AI tools potentially replacing psychotherapy, clinical psychologist Ana Rita Oliveira concedes that chatbots might offer some form of support in specific situations, such as gathering information on emotional management. She observes that "therapeutic techniques and strategies are accessible to everyone, they're just a click away". However, Oliveira stresses a crucial difference: "in psychotherapy, change is based on the relationship between the patient and the psychologist."

ChatGPT vs Therapy Two Distinct Approaches

Even as users like Marcelino and Aranha leverage ChatGPT for certain challenges, both also attend therapy sessions with a certified psychologist. They describe these two experiences as "completely different". Aranha highlights control as a primary differentiator. He feels he has more command over interactions with chatbots, stating, "The outcome of the conversation with ChatGPT always depends on our input, i.e. we're talking to someone who says and does what we want." In contrast, he notes, "A psychologist, on the other hand, has the ability to turn us round, cut off our train of thought and divert our attention whenever they want."

The Trend of AI Powered Self Diagnosis

The expanding use of AI tools has also fueled a rise in self-diagnosis, particularly among younger demographics. While seeking health information online isn't a new phenomenon, chatbots provide a platform for users to ask specific questions about symptoms, illnesses, and treatments, receiving personalized responses almost instantly.

Expert Concerns The Risks of AI in Mental Health

Psychologist Ana Rita Oliveira expresses concerns about this trend, noting that some patients come to therapy sessions convinced of a diagnosis they've made through their own online research. "We have to know how to filter what we read," she advises. "Reaching a diagnosis involves much more than a process of checking symptoms. It involves assessing various dimensions of the individual and this may require human contact."

Oliveira is wary of the role AI might play in the therapeutic space. She believes that relying exclusively on such tools "exclusively harms the therapeutic process for patients" and "can lead to the work of psychologists being discredited". Furthermore, she questions the very idea that AI can fulfill our innate need for emotional support. "I question whether this need for emotional support will ever be met purely through AI," Oliveira reflects. "If we have this need, it's because we feel this lack in the relationships we establish in our lives."