In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant inroads into the world of mental health. From chatbots offering support to apps designed to monitor and improve mood, AI therapy tools promise to make mental health care more accessible and personalized than ever before. Yet, as with any groundbreaking technology, these tools come with both potential benefits and limitations. So, let’s explore the exciting possibilities AI brings to therapy, as well as the challenges and ethical considerations we should keep in mind. The words to follow are written with optimism balanced by a healthy dose of caution—because while AI can be a valuable resource; mental health is deeply human, and that human element remains irreplaceable.
The Promise of AI in Mental Health Care
AI tools have already begun transforming the way we approach mental health. Here’s just a few reasons why so many people are optimistic about the potential:
Accessibility
AI tools are typically available 24/7, providing support anytime and anywhere. For individuals living in remote areas or facing barriers like high therapy costs, these tools can offer affordable and immediate options. They may also feel less intimidating or even more appropriate than calling helplines* when the caller’s purpose is to feel a sense of companionship.
***If you are in distress or in crisis, please call a helpline or 9-1-1, chatbots are not replacements for urgent care.***
Some apps use AI-driven conversations to help users identify and reframe negative thought patterns and practice techniques rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Others help with mood tracking and can provide information about concurrent biological factors, like heart rate, which when used mindfully and strategically, can help increase bodily awareness.
Personalization
AI systems can analyze user data to tailor interventions to individual needs. This means that over time, these tools may become increasingly effective at addressing specific concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or stress. For instance, wearable devices that track heart rate and sleep patterns might pair with AI to provide users with real-time insights and recommendations for improving emotional well-being!
As a complementary tool to therapy, this can also be very helpful! Sharing the insights from AI programs with your therapist is more data for your therapist to integrate into their complex knowledge of psychology and of you! For instance, if you notice you regularly get prompted to use a tool at the same time of day because your wearable device has identified a sudden increase in heart rate, and you share this with your therapist: Your therapist can then help you figure out why this is happening - what underlying cause is showing up - and then develop highly tailored interventions in collaboration with the client.
Reminders and Intervention Compliance
AI and other mental health tools which can remind clients to reach for their tools at opportune moments may be extremely helpful in increasing the likelihood that a client will stick to the therapeutic plan and improve therapy outcomes! This is one of those “it sounds simple, but isn’t” moments. In many forms of therapy - perhaps even most, there are tasks or behavioural changes the client must remember to implement on their own between sessions. It can be surprisingly challenging to do this, especially for clients who are lacking personal support from loved ones, lead very busy lives, or must go longer periods of time between sessions. AI and mental health tools which can help fill this gap can be indispensable! Those little nudges in daily life can be genuine game-changers.
Stigma Work Arounds
For many, the idea of opening up to a therapist can feel daunting for any number of reasons, but especially for those who are concerned about being judged. An AI app, however, may feel less intimidating - it’s not a human so it can’t pass the same type of human judgement. These tools can serve as a first step toward seeking professional help, gently easing users into the process of reflecting on their emotions and challenges.
The Limitations of AI Therapy Tools
Despite these exciting advancements, it’s essential to remember that AI therapy tools have flaws and drawbacks. Humans and our mental health is complex, and not every aspect of the therapeutic process can be replicated by technology.
Lack of Empathy
One of the greatest strengths of traditional therapy lies in the human connection between a client and therapist. A skilled therapist offers empathy, validation, and nuanced understanding — qualities that AI, for all its sophistication, cannot replicate. While an app might provide helpful strategies, it can’t truly "listen" the way a human does or offer the emotional support that comes from being heard and understood by another person.
Privacy Concerns
AI tools often require sensitive personal information to provide personalized support. This raises critical questions about data security. Who has access to your data, and how is it being used? These are concerns that each user must weigh before using an AI mental health app.
Limited Scope
AI tools are designed to assist with common mental health concerns like mild anxiety or stress. However, they are not equipped to handle severe mental health issues, crises, or complex psychological conditions. In such cases, professional intervention is essential, and relying solely on an app could be dangerous.
***Again, if you are in distress or in crisis, please call a helpline or 9-1-1, chatbots are not replacements for urgent care.***
Primary Ethical Considerations
As AI therapy tools become more widespread, the ethical questions surrounding their use grow increasingly important:
Informed Consent: Users must fully understand what data they’re sharing and how it will be used. While this is a general internet safety concern, your mental health information is your sensitive health information. Please protect it accordingly.
Bias in Algorithms: AI systems are only as good as the data they’re trained on. If the training data reflects biases, the tool may produce biased or ineffective responses. Clinical judgement is difficult to formulate into algorithms.
Accountability: Therapists, certainly in Ontario, are held accountable to their clients by governing bodies such as the government and the CRPO. If a therapist makes a mistake or inflicts harm, there are processes and clear steps to take and the issues can become a matter of public record. As with most ground-breaking technology, legislation and means to keep the creators of them accountable have not been sufficiently developed to safeguard users/clients in the same way.
Over-Reliance on Technology: While these tools can complement traditional therapy, there’s a risk that people might view them as a substitute for professional care, potentially delaying needed intervention.
Privacy Concerns: Yes, it bears repeating. It is both a limit and an ethical concern. There are also notable differences in how laws operate for AI versus therapists. In Ontario, Registered Psychotherapists follow strict guidelines regarding confidentiality and should be note-taking in a way that is protective of clients. One of the few legal reasons psychotherapists in Ontario would break confidentiality is if we are court-ordered to do so. During training and when conferring with our ethics board, this is made quite clear - so notes are typically written knowing that being subpoenaed by legal or ethical authorities is always a possibility. However, AI bots are developed by programmers who are not necessarily working in collaboration with therapists. Nor are they subject to the same protective laws which therapists in Ontario fall under. Additionally, the specific laws and regulations which apply to AI bots will vary heavily depending on the region they were developed in [not where you are]. So, when using an AI method, please exercise caution about what details you choose to share.
Using AI Tools Wisely
If you’re considering using an AI therapy tool, here are a few tips to help you make the most of it while safeguarding your mental health:
Start Small: Use AI tools as a complement to, not a replacement for, professional therapy. Think of them as a helpful aid for building awareness or practicing coping strategies between sessions with a therapist!
Research Carefully: Before downloading an app, investigate its privacy policies, reviews, and credibility. Choose tools developed by reputable organizations or those endorsed by mental health professionals. Internet safety is your safety.
Know Their Limits: AI tools can be a helpful resource for managing day-to-day stress or mild mental health concerns, but they’re not a solution for severe or complex issues. If you’re in crisis, reach out to a professional or crisis hotline immediately.
The Human Element in Mental Health
While AI therapy tools have their place in the mental health ecosystem, they can never fully replace the therapeutic relationship between a client and a human therapist. This relationship provides a safe space for exploration, vulnerability, and growth—things that are challenging for a machine to replicate.
At its core, mental health care is about connection. Whether it’s a friend who checks in, a therapist who listens deeply, or a community that supports you:
Healing happens in the presence of others.
To that end, therapy acts as a microcosm - a smaller, safer version of the real world. Like a painter who uses a canvas to display their experiences and world views: Therapists and clients alike use the therapeutic relationship to test out dynamics that happen in the client’s day-to-day. While AI and chatbots can start that process or act as aids between sessions, they cannot yet replicate the rich, meaningful, and purposeful connection of a well-matched therapeutic relationship.
To further this point, fairly extensive research has been completed regarding the therapeutic alliance as a (mediating) factor for therapeutic outcomes. To the best of my knowledge, in the majority of independent studies as well as meta-analyses, the therapeutic alliance is found to be a foundational aspect of therapeutic outcomes - typically even more so than the specific type of therapy, the specific therapeutic tools, or the challenges the clients are facing. The links to a couple of such studies from the past few years have been included at the bottom of this post.
A Balanced Approach
AI therapy tools offer exciting possibilities for making mental health support more accessible and personalized! They can provide valuable insights, strategies, and early intervention for many people. However, they are most effective when used as part of a broader mental health care plan that includes human connection and professional guidance.
If you’re considering exploring AI tools, embrace them with a sense of curiosity and caution. Start by trying one you’ve done some research on, see how it fits into your life, and remain mindful of their limitations.
If you’d like to discuss how AI might fit into your mental health journey—or if you’re looking for professional support to complement what you’re learning from these tools—don’t hesitate to reach out! You’re not alone on this journey, and there’s always a way forward.
Let’s connect today and explore the possibilities together!
The Research
Levenson, J. C., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Colditz, N. D., & Primack, B. A. (2016). The relationship between social media use and sleep quality among undergraduate students. Clinical Psychology Review, 49, 44–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.07.002
Remondi, O., Pontes, M., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). Problematic social media use and sleep disturbances: Is the association mediated by fear of missing out? Computers in Human Behavior, 110, 106553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106553
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