AI therapy isn’t better than the best of the human variety, but it’s easier and safer in a lot of ways, because it doesn’t have the weaknesses that are difficult to navigate in human to human counseling.
I’ve used ChatGPT a few times, and it seems pretty versatile and helpful. I’ve chatted about a variety of topics, and the responses I’ve received have been smart, thorough, and empathetic.
I do miss the body language, humor, and intellectual and creative interaction with a human counselor, but there are benefits to AI therapy. I don’t have to worry that I’ll offend it. It won’t run out of patience or emotional bandwidth, and it won’t let its needs interfere with mine. It hasn’t been insulting, condescending, or manipulative towards me at all. That makes it feel safer than pouring my heart out to a random person who has their own issues that I don’t know about, and which I can’t sufficiently allow for while trying to work through my own problems.
So far I think AI therapy is a positive and valid alternative to traditional therapy, and I look forward to it becoming even better.