AI vs Human Therapist
Which One Really Helps You Heal?
In my practice, I have sat with students who have shared everything from academic anxieties to overwhelming emotional struggles. In these conversations, one question keeps coming up:
“Do you think I can just talk to an AI therapist instead of going to a human therapist?”
With AI-driven apps becoming more popular and more accessible, it's natural to wonder why even go to a therapist. AI therapy tools are available 24/7 and are currently free or have affordable pricing. For someone lying awake at 2 AM, struggling with racing thoughts or feeling overwhelmed, a chatbot that gently listens and guides you through breathing exercises can be really reassuring. AI can help, especially for mild anxiety, stress, or when you just need someone (or something) to listen without judgment.
But the story doesn’t end there…
No AI, however smart, can yet replicate the warmth in a therapist’s voice, or notice your clenched fists, or the way your tone shifts when you talk about your feelings. AI may recognise patterns in your speech, but it cannot truly "feel" the weight of your pain or joy. AI is not equipped to manage crises, trauma, or complex emotional patterns. AI tools are not a replacement if you're navigating grief, abuse, deep depression, or suicidal thoughts. In such situations, trained human therapists are irreplaceable. Relying on AI for emotional support can also increase a sense of isolation, as you would rather talk to a chatbot than call up a friend for support.
AI can provide feedback and validate you, but it cannot measure the extent of your emotional well-being. It will not confront you or help you change narratives. It will also not understand different perspectives and contexts. A therapist's role goes beyond tracking symptoms—it’s about guiding you through your emotional evolution. It’s essential to maintain face-to-face interactions with friends, family, and mental health professionals to help ensure a balanced approach to well-being.
I often think of therapy as a relationship, not a product. When you sit with a trained therapist, you're not just processing thoughts, you are being seen, heard and understood in ways that go far beyond words on a screen. Psychologists have long emphasised that the real healing in therapy comes from the therapeutic alliance—that deep, trusting relationship between therapist and client. It’s built over time. Through pauses, eye contact, shared stories, and even silence.
I don’t think it's about choosing one over the other. However, it’s more about integrating AI into the current system to aid the therapy process. In fact, many people now combine both, and that hybrid model might just be the future of mental health.
AI can be used to build a mental health toolkit for daily support, mood tracking, and reflection.
AI can offer support in-between therapy sessions or help individuals practice coping techniques.
If you're just starting out, feeling unsure, or struggling to access therapy, AI can be a gentle entry point. One student came to me for a session and said that her AI chat box told her to visit a human therapist. So when you are ready to explore the deeper layers of yourself, your fears, wounds, and hopes, a human therapist will walk with you in ways an algorithm simply cannot.
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28588005/
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/recommendation-ethics-artificial-intelligence
