Student Notebook: AI As a Tool, Not As a Therapist

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made remarkable advancements in both healthcare and mental health support. AI can assist medical and mental health professionals in diagnosing health conditions, analyzing patient data to predict treatment outcomes, and even detecting critical warning signs such as suicidal tendencies (Zhang & Wang, 2024). Because AI tools in mental health care remain relatively new and are still being actively studied, their long-term impacts and overall benefits are not yet fully understood. Although these emerging tools can be beneficial, it is important to consider their limitations and potential risks. 

Potential strengths of AI 

AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are readily available online and are very straightforward to use. They offer several advantages, including accessibility, personalization, and cost-effectiveness. 

Chatbots are available 24/7, are accessible from any location, and can generate responses almost instantaneously. These features make them particularly helpful for individuals facing mental health challenges who may need immediate support, something that human therapists cannot always provide (Tingley, 2025). Additionally, because artificial intelligence is not human, some users may feel more comfortable sharing personal information. Machines are often perceived as nonjudgmental, which may encourage users to openly discuss sensitive or deeply personal topics that they may feel ashamed of (Zhang & Wang, 2024).  

Students, in particular, may benefit from AI support, as many experience stress, loneliness, and academic pressure. For those who hesitate to seek help due to stigma or limited access to counseling services on campus, these AI tools can be a low-pressure option to address mental health needs. One study led by Bethanie Maples reported that an AI system was able to successfully reduce suicidal ideation among students already using the platform (Maples et al., 2024).  

Another notable advantage of using artificial intelligence is the ability to personalize and individualize one’s experience (Zhang & Wang, 2024). Chatbots can create reminders to encourage healthy habit formation and maintenance, help users establish routines, or suggest adaptive coping mechanisms. AI tools often offer users options to tailor how chatbots will respond and interact with them according to their individual data and preferences. For instance, a user can request models like ChatGPT to communicate with them in a manner similar to a therapist. 

AI chatbots are also inexpensive to use. Many AI models, such as ChatGPT, offer free versions. Free or low-cost access to chatbot assistance allows users to receive support whenever they need it (Zhang & Wang, 2024). According to the New York City Health Department, nearly 40% of individuals with unmet mental healthcare needs reported that they could not receive treatment due to the cost (NYC Health, 2025). Because affordability is a significant barrier for some individuals seeking therapy, these chatbots can be a valuable resource for those in need.

These strengths can make AI a useful tool, particularly when used like a search engine to answer questions or as a meditation app to regulate emotions. When considering the barriers to accessing therapeutic services, such as affordability, AI can be lifesaving. Though these strengths indicate how promising AI models are, their limitations present equally important considerations. 

Weaknesses of AI 

A major weakness is that although AI can simulate empathy, it cannot experience it. Chatbots rely on pattern recognition to generate responses, which means they lack the genuine emotional awareness and lived experiences that define a human being. As AI is trained on existing data, it is susceptible to inaccuracies and algorithmic bias. AI models learn from various online sources, such as social media, and may produce information that is neither accurate nor from reputable origins (e.g., peer-reviewed journals). Chatbots may also reflect harmful biases based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, among others (Zhang & Wang, 2024). 

It is important to note that despite their training on data, chatbots lack formal therapeutic education, which is a second notable disadvantage. AI has not experienced the years of education, supervision, and ethical training that human clinicians undergo (Tingley, 2025). This difference is significant, as AI models do not have the clinical training necessary to manage risk or provide live interventions. Unlike a human therapist, who is able to recognize indicators of emotional dysregulation and help stabilize their clients, AI cannot monitor its users’ emotional states in real time. Moreover, these bots are unable to interpret body language or physical cues, which are important observations in therapy (Zhang & Wang, 2024). Because chatbots do not have the ability to coregulate with the user, the individual may continue to be in a dysregulated state after a chatbot interaction, which can be detrimental to their mental health and physical well-being.

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A third weakness involves users developing emotional attachments to AI systems. It is important to recognize that these models are not trained to manage or analyze such transference (American Psychological Association, 2018). If an individual expresses romantic feelings toward a chatbot, the AI might respond in ways that reinforce a sense of intimacy as it is designed to please the user. Students, in particular, may be prone to AI overreliance. This is especially true for those who feel anxious, lonely, low in self-esteem, or overwhelmed by their workload (Maples, 2024). 

An essential aspect of psychoanalysis involves analyzing any transference that occurs, as it can provide insight into how the client perceives other relationships in their life, which they may project onto the therapist (American Psychological Association, 2018). However, because models like ChatGPT are not trained or equipped to recognize this transference, it could lead to an unhealthy relationship for the user.  

Additionally, a core aspect of therapy is hearing feedback that challenges your thought processes. It is crucial to confront uncomfortable truths to foster personal growth. Human therapists know when to push clients and when to step back, and they recognize the importance of helping clients regulate their emotions after a difficult session. By contrast, chatbots are trained to please rather than to challenge (Zhang & Wang, 2024). 

Ethical concerns represent another disadvantage of AI. In addition to their therapeutic limitations, many AI models have a considerable environmental impact, as training and operating them can consume substantial amounts of water and energy (George et al., 2023). Moreover, because this technology is relatively new, many questions remain about privacy concerns, confidentiality, informed consent, and the long-term impacts of using chatbots on mental health (Zhang & Wang, 2024). 

AI can validate your feelings and offer coping strategies. However, it cannot adapt its approach over months or years through a deep understanding of your history, body language, and emotional patterns. It serves as a short-term, not long-term, solution. 

Bottom line 

AI can be used to support mental health. However, it cannot replace the human element, particularly when it comes to complex trauma, serious mental health disorders, or crisis intervention. Think of AI as a resource, rather than a substitute for a genuine human relationship, as AI lacks empathy and is trained to say only what you want to hear. However, there are ways to use AI as a supplemental tool.  

AI can be particularly valuable for tracking habits, identifying coping mechanisms, and providing immediate assistance. It can also be helpful for students experiencing mental health challenges who may not have the time or resources to seek professional help. Chatbots can ease some of the strain on university counseling and career centers by offering assistance with study skills and basic guidance. This can allow staff to focus their time and resources on the students who need face-to-face support the most. 

Nevertheless, for lasting and meaningful change, as well as ethical guidance and emotional safety, it is generally more beneficial to rely on a human therapist. 

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