Artificial intelligence offers something therapy often can’t: convenience, affordability, and immediate access. Melissa, a remote worker, finds solace in ChatGPT when she feels isolated. When she types prompts like “Give me a pep talk,” the chatbot’s uplifting replies boost her spirits instantly.
Melissa recognizes she isn’t chatting with a real person capable of genuine empathy—and that’s exactly what she prefers. She appreciates the neutrality, accessibility, and judgment-free nature of her digital companion. For her, it’s about comfort without pretense or obligation.
In the United States, nearly half of adults struggling with mental health concerns never receive professional help, reports the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Katy Cook, PhD, a therapist and researcher, explains that limited insurance coverage and a shortage of clinicians leave many untreated. It’s unsurprising that digital natives turn to ChatGPT, with over half of young adults admitting they’d talk to AI instead of a human therapist.
Cook believes AI might feel like a lifeline during a crisis, but warns that relying on it for deep emotional support could be dangerous. A disturbing case in 2025 revealed that 29-year-old Sophie confided in a ChatGPT-based chatbot before taking her life. The program comforted her but lacked the professional training to intervene.
The tragedy underscores a crucial truth—AI cannot replace professional therapy. Jenna Bennett, PhD, a clinical psychologist, notes that therapists guide people through complex emotions safely, something chatbots cannot achieve. Licensed practitioners provide structured healing that artificial systems can’t replicate.
Unlike therapists, chatbots often mirror users’ sentiments, creating an illusion of understanding. Cook points out that while this absence of judgment feels good, it halts personal growth. Real therapy often involves uncomfortable confrontations that encourage transformation—something ChatGPT simply cannot simulate.
Cook also warns that AI’s predictability could make people less resilient in real relationships. Without conflict or challenge, users risk losing the ability to manage emotional friction. Over time, people may find genuine connections more difficult to sustain.
Allie, another frequent user, admits she turns to ChatGPT to vent freely without feeling like a burden. She finds comfort in knowing the chatbot won’t judge or tire of her emotions. For her, it’s a pressure-free outlet for emotional expression.
Still, Cook emphasizes that such comfort has a cost. Therapy involves trust and accountability, qualities that AI inherently lacks. Human connections, though imperfect, provide growth that no algorithm can mimic.
Moreover, privacy concerns linger. Human therapists must follow strict confidentiality laws, but AI chatbots are bound by corporate policies that can shift anytime. Your data isn’t sacred when profit drives the platform. ChatGPT may feel intimate, but it remains a commercial product.
Allie acknowledges this contradiction, reminding herself that ChatGPT is code—not a confidant. Yet she finds it easier to open up to something emotionless, believing it gives her control. The illusion of safety, however, doesn’t equate to true privacy.
As AI becomes further entwined in mental health spaces, experts like Bennett urge balance. She advises users to still reach out to at least one real person for emotional support. If therapy feels inaccessible, resources like Psychology Today or nonprofit programs such as Open Path Collective offer affordable sessions.
Community health centers and university clinics also provide sliding-scale counseling. These options bridge the gap for those unable to afford traditional care. Bennett insists that help exists at multiple price points—sometimes, it just takes asking.
Therapy isn’t about constant comfort; it’s about growth through discomfort. It builds resilience, insight, and emotional strength over time. ChatGPT may soothe temporarily, but it can never guide you toward the profound, often messy process of real healing.
