These days, you don’t even need to search for tips to manage stress—you can just ask an AI tool like ChatGPT. It’s fast, free, and available any time of the day. But here’s the big question: Can AI actually replace a therapist?
This is a hot topic, and as a psychotherapist, I want to break it down for you.
The Pros of Using AI for Therapy:
- Accessibility You don’t need an appointment. AI tools are there any time, day or night.
- No cost barrier Traditional therapy involves paying a fee for each session. AI tools (so far) are free or very low cost.
- Personalized suggestions If you ask the right questions, AI can suggest techniques that seem specific to you. For example, if you say, “I want to start journaling but don’t know where to start,” AI can give you a structure in seconds.
The Cons of AI and Therapy
Like all things, mixing AI and therapy does have risk. Here are three big issues you need to consider:
1. Lack of Expertise
AI does not have training, expertise, or judgment. It can sound confident and still be wrong—and sometimes dangerously wrong.
Now, let’s be honest. Psychotherapists can be wrong too. The difference is that with a therapist, you are talking with a real person. You can explain more, correct misunderstandings, and have a back-and-forth. Even if you use the “talk” feature of AI, it is still not a live human being who can notice tone, pauses, and emotions.
A psychotherapist has years of education and clinical experience. We know how to adjust strategies based on your history, your symptoms, and your goals. In short: AI can’t replace a therapist.
For more on the risks of using AI for mental health, the American Psychological Association has written about ethics and AI.
2. Privacy Concerns
What you tell a therapist is confidential. What you tell an AI may not stay private.
Most AI systems learn from what you type. That means your personal struggles could end up in a database somewhere. Even if companies say they protect your data, the reality is that AI is not bound by the same privacy rules (like PHIPA or HIPAA).
3. Overuse and Addiction
Therapy happens in sessions—usually an hour once a week or two. This gives you time to process, reflect, and grow.
AI doesn’t have that boundary. You could end up asking it questions all day. The risk? Overload and even dependency. Instead of learning how to self-regulate, you start relying on a machine.
Where AI Can Be Helpful
There is a middle ground. Here are a few ways it can complement, not replace, therapy:
- Practice ideas: AI can list deep breathing techniques, grounding exercises, or journaling prompts.
- Planning tools: It can help create a morning routine or suggest ways to track a new habit.
- Research support: It can quickly summarize articles or studies that are already public.
If you use AI for these things, think of it as a supplement—not a substitute—for therapy.
The Bottom Line
AI tools are not a replacement for a trained therapist. They can’t see your body language, hear the tone of your voice, or recognize subtle signs of distress. They don’t form a relationship with you.
At Health & Happiness: Counselling and Wellness, we believe that mental health care is about connection, trust, and expertise. That’s something no algorithm can replicate. This is why we see people in person as well as online: it helps develop the connection with our patients.
AI can be a useful tool for therapy. What we want is for people to use it safely—while understanding what it can do and what a therapist can do better and safer.
If you are curious about therapy or want to talk about whether it’s right for you, reach out to us. We’re here to help.
