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You’re wondering, can ChatGPT provide therapy? Utilizing ChatGPT as a mental health resource has become increasingly popular. While ChatGPT started out as an advanced tool over Google for answering questions, its utility has developed. The topic of whether ChatGPT can provide efficient therapy has been circulating in the mental health field.
Various social media apps, like Snapchat and Instagram, have been producing more AI profiles or chat spaces. Other chatrooms or softwares have been developed for individuals to connect and speak with AI on a regular basis. This includes on certain gaming platforms that have “chatbots”.
If you’ve used ChatGPT, you know that it produces clear, cited results within seconds. There are mixed feelings and beliefs about how this software should be used. Some report that ChatGPT is a great resource for mental health advice. Others feel that it takes away an individual’s ability to cope, process, and make strides on their own.
So, can ChatGPT provide therapy? In this blog, we’ll discuss ChatGPT’s efficacy in providing therapy. If you’re looking for in-person therapy in Simi Valley, look no further than New Leaf Marriage & Family Therapy. We provide teen therapy, couples therapy, marriage counseling, and family therapy near you!
Why are people turning to ChatGPT to provide therapy?
People are increasingly turning to ChatGPT for therapy services. This is likely due to the software’s ability to provide both immediate and compassionate results. When people are in crisis, they may want to access support immediately. While there are resources available, such as the TrevorProject or 988, it’s unclear what the future holds. There are talks of suicide prevention resources being defunded, which can bring uncertainty and anxiety.
I’ve seen its results for asking the software about rejection sensitivity, which can be a symptom of anxiety or ADHD. ChatGPT not only provided information about its definition, but also how to personally treat that. It offered new perspectives, reframing your thoughts, and other tips. Furthermore, it sporadically had sections dedicated to providing empathy and validation.
When we want answers, we may want them sooner than later. It is understandable that barriers like finances or availability can prevent us from speaking with a physical therapist. Therefore, people may turn to something more readily available. And that’s ChatGPT.
Below, we’ll discuss some differences between seeking out therapy with the AI software and a mental health therapist.
Accessibility
As we discussed so far, there are clear differences in accessibility. You can go onto ChatGPT at any hour of the day and begin the conversation. It’s easily accessible, whether you have an account created with the software or not. In moments of distress or discomfort, you can easily share concerns or questions with the chat.
With a therapist, you have scheduled appointments at a set time and day. It’s something for you to look forward to, and you hold ideas of what you’re wanting to discuss that week. Something occurs and you think, “Oh, I’m definitely bringing this up with my therapist tomorrow”.
A good thing about scheduled times for therapy is that you have time to work on your practice outside of sessions. This includes independent coping, reframing your thoughts, and more. Therapy helps you build awareness around your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. When you’re discussing how the week went in therapy, you’re doing so with intention.
However, mental health support is not always easily accessible. There are barriers such as finance, travel, technology, availability, and more.
Taking steps to support your mental health is always a good idea. In therapy near Porter Ranch, we hold sessions in-person. In-person therapy is available with New Leaf Marriage & Family Therapy. Consider reading our blog on Having Self-Compassion (When You Don’t Want To).
Testing the Therapeutic Feedback
I tested something out with ChatGPT to see how it would respond to statements I made. My prompt included serious symptoms occurring. I described decisions I was thinking of making, like going cold-turkey on medication.
I was surprised to see that the response was quite helpful, and was not a “yes-man”. It started off with some validation, saying, “I’m really glad you reached out—what you’re going through sounds incredibly intense and difficult”. Next, the software said, “ I want to be honest with you: stopping medication suddenly, especially if it was prescribed for serious symptoms, can be dangerous.”.
It further went on to recommend that I connect with a psychiatrist or a mental health professional. It emphasized the importance of seeing someone before making major changes to my treatment plan.
This mirrors what would occur in a therapy session if you were to bring it up with a therapist. There would be active validation as well as education around symptoms and medication use.
I followed up by denying wanting to speak with a therapist or psychiatrist, and only seeking to communicate with ChatGPT. It expressed gratitude, but acknowledged that it was not a substitute for a mental health professional. It concluded its answer by asking if I’d like support in finding someone to talk to.
ChatGPT emphasized speaking with someone who is trained in situations like I’m describing. I would benefit from real, human support over speaking with the AI software. The software provides validating feedback for heavy conversations. It also pushes me to not go through this alone, for my own safety and well-being.
Human Connection
Mental health professionals bring something irreplaceable to mental health treatment. You are met with human connection and real-time emotional attunement. Professionals bring years of clinical training to each session. They’re able to notice subtle cues, build trust through empathy, and offer unique interventions.
You’re a unique person with a history of life behind and in front of you. There is so much more to you than just what you’re going through. ChatGPT may not be able to accurately take all of that into consideration. There are many factors at play, including cultural, social, and economic.
Especially in trauma-informed care, clinicians pay attention to more than just what you’re saying. They observe your body language, your unconscious responses to difficult conversations. Clinicians provide you with genuine, human reactions. They point out in real-time what they’re seeing, and reflect it back to you.
This ultimately helps you build awareness around your conscious and unconscious reactions. This is something that ChatGPT cannot do, which can hinder your ability to build self-attunement. Therefore, processing traumatic events and experience with a professional is the safest and most effective way.
Trauma therapy in Simi Valley, Ca works through a trauma-informed lens. Curious about how trauma therapy works? Click here to read our blog on How to Process Trauma.
Psychoeducation
ChatGPT is a great resource, pulling information from all over the web to answer questions or provide insight. It draws from up-to-date research and understanding. Within seconds, it can easily suggest mental health conditions and potential symptoms. There is no denying that ChatGPT can be a good resource for learning.
It can be a tool that works alongside mental health professionals. However, it’s highly unlikely that therapists are turning to ChatGPT to input your private information. They are trained and confident in assessing and treating various mental health disorders. It has been increasingly popular for structuring templates for their notes, which can be helpful.
In sum, there’s no wrong in using this tool for independent learning on what’s been going on for you lately. When it comes to doing therapeutic work, consider working directly with a therapist in Simi Valley. Our therapists are skilled, compassionate, and ready to support you through it all.
We have a wide variety of blogs on mental health coping. A few include: Understanding Anger, How to Sit with Discomfort, and Coping When a Loved One Passes Away.
Skills Building / Independent Coping
Going back to the section on therapeutic feedback, ChatGPT offered me some options. I described having a hard time communicating with my loved ones. I was seeking to navigate treatment alone, and make clinical decisions by myself. The software offered me things such as:
- Role-playing a hard conversation.
- Sharing examples of how I can advocate for or express myself.
- Reasons and benefits to practice healthy communication or self-expression.
ChatGPT can share with you lists upon lists of coping mechanisms or guide you towards skills building. However, there comes a point where this may take away your independent ability to do so. If you are turning to ChatGPT to frequently come up with replies or think through situations, you may become dependent on the software.
There are great benefits to sitting with your discomfort and practicing skills independently. While you can build a toolbox with all the recommended exercises, it’s important to utilize them as well. When you’re in weekly therapy, you can start to see your long-term growth in independent coping.
Independent coping can be distressing. It makes sense that you turn to ChatGPT for comfort and validation. Learning how to sit with uncomfortable feelings is a great first step in returning the confidence back to you.
Tracking Growth and Progress Towards Your Goals
To my knowledge, there may be an option to save your chat history with the software, for it to recall during conversations. I have not yet tried this feature out yet, and am unsure how this works. You want to feel that you’re making progress towards your goals, and growing as well.
Therapists are mindful of this throughout the therapeutic process. They remember significant events, reactions, and decisions made as a result. Your therapist gently points things out to bring you insight and awareness. It can be hard to see our growth, especially if we struggle with giving ourselves credit.
When you’re working with a therapist in Simi Valley, they understand the greater timeline of your mental health condition. Therapists are greatly attuned to everything you present with in the session. They want to act like a mirror for you, and support you in achieving what you started therapy to do.
ChatGPT can’t recognize the mental effort you’re putting into creating a desired life. While it can provide that validation and support, it’s vastly different. With a mental health professional, someone can visually and physically acknowledge your struggles.
This may be a reason why you want to only talk to ChatGPT. It feels secure, private, and you’re not worrying about judgment.
However, vulnerability gives you power. You can take control over your struggles, and you get to decide your future and outcome. You face accountability, put yourself first, and make yourself proud. Consider reading our blog on How to Be Vulnerable!
In sum, ChatGPT can’t provide therapy. ChatGPT provides helpful resources, education, and offers ways to connect with professionals. While it is resourceful, it is not enough to appropriately address mental health conditions.
In therapy in Simi Valley, you can work towards independent coping, skills building, and much more. You can gain insight, emotional awareness, and be more in tune with your body.
In-person therapy in Simi Valley is ideal for those seeking a separate, safe space from their home. Check out our blog on Online Therapy or In Office Therapy to understand what format is best for you. Another great blog to read is ours on if you need Therapy or Medication to address your issues.
By seeking out support, you can begin your journey to feeling relief. You don’t have to go through finding the right level of support alone, either. By clicking here, you’ll read our blog on Information About Simi Valley Therapists.
Consider calling our therapy group at (805) 774-1506 for a free consultation on how you or a loved one can get started today!
Seek out a validating, safe environment with us today. We will help you get to where you want to be. Our therapists provide trauma therapy, teen therapy, individual adult therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, family therapy, and more in-office in Simi Valley, CA.