AI as Therapist? The Rising Reliance on AI for Mental Health Support and Its Hidden Risks

03rd Aug, 2025 | By: Saashrika G

“AI can guide, but it cannot heal. It can educate, but not empathize. Let’s not confuse information with transformation"

It starts with a breakup at 2 AM and you open ChatGPT/ AI chatbots: “Hello AI, I am going through a breakup, it is very hard. Please help me!” This has become the new normal among people. The fact that AI platforms have flourished and have become a space where people have access at any point in time, and how well the AI chatbots respond with a non -judgmental and comforting tone has led people to seek even mental health support from AI Chatbots

Will this era of ChatGPT and AI platforms continue in the same way? But how reliable is AI when it comes to offering such support? How accurate and relevant can it be for each unique individual? In this blog, let’s explore some of the growing concerns and hidden risks of turning to AI as a replacement for human therapists.

Why do people turn to AI Chatbots for Therapy?

In a world where emotional overwhelm is becoming increasingly common, many people are seeking comfort in more accessible and immediate forms. One of the biggest draws of AI chatbots is their 24/7 availability

Unlike traditional therapy, where scheduling appointments and waiting for sessions can take days or weeks, AI is just a click away, ready to listen, anytime, anywhere

For someone in distress at odd hours or in remote areas without access to professionals, this level of instant response can feel life-saving. Another key reason is the non-judgmental nature of AI

For those who hesitate to open up to another human being, fearing shame, stigma, or misunderstanding, the sense of psychological safety when people open up to AI is something that should be brought into the light

They feel more comfortable sharing their innermost thoughts with a bot that won’t interrupt, criticize, or form opinions about them.

The conversational tone of tools like ChatGPT can even mimic therapeutic responses, using reflective language and emotional validation that feels surprisingly comforting.

Affordability also plays a big role. Therapy can be expensive, and not everyone has access to subsidized mental health services. AI chatbots, many of which are free or low-cost, appear as an appealing alternative.

While they don’t replace a licensed therapist’s expertise, they can offer emotional support, coping suggestions, and psychoeducation to those who might otherwise receive nothing at all

There’s also the illusion of emotional intimacy that can be seen. Chatbots can be surprisingly responsive and attuned, creating the feeling of being heard and understood. For some, these interactions become a regular habit, a private space for reflection, venting, or even self-discovery

When does it become Problematic?

At first glance, AI chatbots feel like a safe space always available, endlessly patient, and capable of responding in comforting ways. But beneath this supportive surface lies a more complex issue: when does helpfulness cross the line into something potentially problematic?

AI doesn’t know you. It doesn't have emotional insight, a therapeutic alliance, or real-time human intuition. Yet, its responses often sound intelligent and emotionally attuned, which can easily lead users to overestimate its understanding and authority. The more emotionally vulnerable a person is, the more likely they are to take these responses at face value, sometimes making life decisions based on advice that was never meant to be clinical.

Another concern is confirmation bias. AI learns from patterns and tries to mirror the tone and content of the user. So, if someone types “I feel worthless,” the chatbot may reflect back empathetically without gently challenging the belief or offering grounded alternatives. While this may feel validating in the moment, it could unintentionally reinforce negative self-perceptions or maladaptive thought patterns.

There’s also the issue of dependency. When someone starts turning to AI for every emotional need, it can limit real-world coping, reduce interpersonal connections, and blur the line between support and reliance.

Over time, users may prefer the predictable comfort of a chatbot over the sometimes difficult but growth-oriented path of human relationships or therapy. And let’s not forget the data dimension. What happens to all the emotional content people pour into these platforms? While companies claim to anonymize data, the ethical gray area around emotionally sensitive conversations being stored, processed, or even used for training AI models remains concerning.

What can be the role of AI in mental health?

When used thoughtfully and ethically, AI can become a powerful supplementary tool one that supports mental well-being without pretending to replace the human connection at the heart of therapy. One valuable role AI can play is in psychoeducation. AI can also assist with daily mental health practices like guiding mindfulness exercises, prompting self-reflection through journaling, or helping people track moods and behaviors

These tools, when used intentionally, can enhance emotional awareness and self-regulation, especially for those already in therapy.

AI algorithms can be harnessed to comprehensively draw meaning from large and varied data sources, enable better understanding of the population-level prevalence of mental illnesses, uncover biological mechanisms or risk/protective factors, offer technology to monitor treatment progress and/or medication adherence, deliver remote therapeutic sessions or provide intelligent self assessments to determine severity of mental illness, and perhaps most importantly, enable mental health practitioners to focus on the human aspects of medicine that can only be achieved through the clinician-patient relationship.

AI and Therapy: Moving Forward with Care and Intention

As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, its role in mental health is expanding rapidly. It offers convenience, support, and even comfort especially in moments when human connection feels out of reach. But as we’ve explored, the line between helpful support and risky reliance can be thin. While AI chatbots can guide, inform, and assist, they are not a substitute for the depth, empathy, and ethical care that human therapists provide.

Rather than viewing AI as a therapist, we need to see it as a tool one that can empower individuals with knowledge, promote emotional awareness, and bridge gaps in access. With thoughtful design, ethical boundaries, and collaboration between tech developers and mental health professionals, AI can truly complement the therapeutic journey without overshadowing it.

At Meet Your Therapist, we offer compassionate, evidence-based therapy in a safe and inclusive space—both online and offline.