Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making its way into almost every part of our lives — from the way we shop to how we communicate. Now, it’s even stepping into the world of mental health. As a psychologist, I was both curious and cautious about AI therapy. Could a computer really understand human emotions? Could it help in a meaningful way? This is my open-minded first take.This week, Slingshot unveiled its new AI therapy tool, Ash. The company describes it as the “first AI designed for therapy.”

As a psychologist who provides therapy, supervises and trains student clinicians, and researches psychological treatments, I am passionate about good therapy. This passion brings conflicted feelings about AI therapy: skepticism, interest, enthusiasm, and admittedly a touch of defensiveness. I decided to try chatting with Ash, acting like a potential client with concerns about anciety, and chronic pain.

The Surprising Positives

When I first explored AI therapy apps and chatbots, I expected them to feel cold and robotic. But I was surprised.

• 24/7 Availability: AI therapy tools don’t sleep, take weekends off, or have waiting lists. For someone in distress at 2 AM, this can be a lifeline.

• No Judgement Zone: Many people find it easier to open up to a bot than a human at first, especially if they feel embarrassed or anxious about their problems.

• Cost-Effective: While not a replacement for therapy, AI tools can be an affordable starting point for those who can’t afford regular sessions

   

The Clear Limitations

AI therapy is not a replacement for human connection.the lack of human connection. Experiencing this helped me clarify and articulate what makes (good) therapy so powerful.

Sitting across from another human brings an inherent vulnerability that, yes, could be a barrier to care. And I do think providing mental health resources that don’t rely on a person seeking treatment from another person will improve mental health across the board. But that very vulnerability inherent to a human relationship is exactly what makes therapy so powerful. In therapy, you show who you are—your thoughts, feelings, and experiences—and this is met with understanding and validation. And it’s healing because there is a real risk of rejection or misunderstanding. Humans can reject or dislike you. An AI therapist will not reject you.

While the AI not being human isn’t something that could be improved or fixed, there were some other interpersonal dynamics that theoretically could be improved. For example, if a client tells me that they feel uncomfortable sharing something with me, I would ask them to tell me more. There are several reasons a client might be feeling uncomfortable. When I expressed discomfort to Ash, it simply validated my discomfort and returned to the topic we were discussing before.

I was also struck by the text bubbles that appeared as soon as I sent my message. One of the earliest lessons I learned as a therapist-in-training was the therapeutic value of well-timed, intentional silence, whether to allow a client to finish an incomplete thought, see where they take the conversation, or let them make sense of a new idea or feeling. I wonder if this sort of nuance can be incorporated into an AI therapy mode

On a less significant note, at one point, Ash suggested that we try a body scan meditation I agreed. I settled in and closed my eyes, at Ash’s instruction, expecting a well-paced guided meditation. Not so. It was read in one fast-paced run-on sentence and totally lost me.

How AI Can Work With Psychologists

Rather than seeing AI as a competitor, many psychologists — including myself — believe it can be a valuable partner in care. AI tools can help therapists by collecting and organising important information between sessions, such as mood patterns, sleep cycles, or journal entries from clients. This data can give psychologists a clearer picture of a client’s day-to-day emotional state, making sessions more focused and productive.

AI can also support clients with reminders for coping strategies, relaxation exercises, or self-care activities recommended by their therapist. For people who feel nervous about starting therapy, AI chatbots can serve as a first step, allowing them to open up gradually before transitioning to in-person or online human-led sessions.

In group or community settings, AI could be used to provide educational materials, track progress in mental health programs, or answer general wellbeing questions — freeing up psychologists’ time for the more complex and personal aspects of care that only a human can deliver. In this way, AI doesn’t replace the human touch; it enhances it, making psychological support more accessible and consistent.

Takeaways for Therapy Seekers and Clinicians

AI has incredible potential to bring components of psychotherapy to a broader audience and reduce barriers to mental health. It can provide effective  education about therapy skills such as mindfulness and thought challenging. It can support concrete tasks like brainstorming, problem-solving, and goal setting  I think it could also provide decent reflective listening that helps a person gain clarity about their thoughts and feelings.

That said, the lack of a true human response severely limits the depth of transformation that can occur in therapy with another human. Attachment issues , trauma , and personality disorders

all benefit—or perhaps require—the vulnerability and challenge that comes with bringing yourself, warts and all, to the therapy relationship.

To fellow clinicians: AI therapy is going to transform and improve over time. It is critical that we remain open-minded, thoughtful, and honest about what it can offer (and what it cannot). We need to communicate definitions of therapy that include the breadth of what clinicians can offer—not just listening, not just evidence-based techniques, but transformative relationships that help clients develop new understandings of themselves, others, and the world.

Soucrces:psychologytoday

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