There has been an increase in apps and chat tools that describe themselves as “AI therapists.” These programs utilize artificial intelligence to respond to thoughts, feelings, and questions in a manner that can resemble a therapeutic conversation. For many people, they’re easy to access, affordable, and available at any hour of the day. As therapists, we’re often asked whether these tools are helpful—and whether they can replace therapy. The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
What Are AI Therapy Tools?
AI therapy tools are typically chat-based programs designed to provide emotional support, offer reflection prompts, and provide coping strategies. Some well-known examples include Woebot and Wysa. These tools often draw on evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It’s important to note that these programs are not licensed therapists. They don’t diagnose mental health conditions, create treatment plans, or provide emergency care. Instead, they function more like guided self-help tools.
Potential Benefits of AI Tools
When used with intention, AI mental health tools can offer some real benefits:
Accessibility. They’re available 24/7 and are often low-cost or free. This can be helpful for people who are on waitlists, live in areas with limited mental health services, or need support outside of regular business hours.
Low-Pressure Support. Some people find it easier to open up when there’s no fear of judgment.For topics that feel embarrassing or difficult to discuss, a text-based tool can serve as a gentler first step.
Skill Practice Between Sessions. AI tools can reinforce coping skills like grounding exercises, journaling prompts, or thought-challenging techniques, especially when used alongside therapy.
Structure and Consistency. For people who benefit from routine or clear frameworks, the predictable nature of AI responses can feel stabilizing.
Important Limitations to Be Aware Of
Despite these benefits, AI tools also have meaningful limitations:
They can’t assess safety the way a human can. AI cannot reliably recognize warning signs of suicidality, abuse, psychosis, or medical emergencies. If you’re in crisis or feeling unsafe, human support is essential.
There’s no real relationship. One of the most powerful aspects of therapy is the relationship itself; being seen, understood, and responded to by another person. AI can simulate conversation, but it can’t offer genuine emotional attunement or relational repair.
They lack context. AI responds to words, not lived experience. It can’t fully understand family dynamics, trauma history, cultural context, or the complexity of long-term patterns.
Privacy concerns exist. Unlike licensed therapists, AI platforms are not bound by the same professional ethical codes or confidentiality standards. It’s important to review how your data is stored and used.
They can unintentionally delay care. When AI tools are used instead of therapy, rather than alongside it, people may postpone getting the support they truly need, especially for complex or ongoing concerns.
A Helpful Way to Think About AI Tools
AI tools can be helpful in addition to therapy:
● As a place to reflect between sessions
● To practice skills you’re learning in therapy
● As short-term support while looking for a therapist
They are not a replacement for working with a licensed mental health professional, especially when distress is persistent, worsening, or connected to trauma, substance use, or relationship difficulties.
The Bottom Line: Human Support Can’t Be Replaced
Psychologist Carl Rogers, one of the founders of modern therapy, believed that healing happens in the presence of a genuine, empathic, and accepting relationship. In other words, people don’t change simply because they receive the “right” advice; they change when they feel deeply understood and safe enough to explore their inner world.
AI tools can offer reflection and structure, but they can’t truly be with you in the way another human can. Trauma-informed therapy, for example, recognizes that many people carry experiences that have disrupted their sense of safety, control, or trust. Healing isn’t just about learning skills—it’s about moving at a pace that feels safe, supported, and chosen. A human therapist can notice when something feels tender, slow things down, and respond with care in the moment. That kind of presence creates space not just for coping, but also for meaningful change.
From an existential perspective, therapy is also about meaning. Many people come to therapy not just to feel better, but to understand themselves more deeply—to explore who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to live in the face of uncertainty. These are not problems to be solved quickly, but questions to be held with curiosity and compassion.
AI tools can offer structure and reflection, but human therapy offers presence. It creates space for complexity, emotion, and growth to unfold in relationship over time.
When to Seek Human Support
AI can be a helpful supplement to human-based therapy, but there are times when working with a real person is essential. We strongly encourage seeking the support from a licensed mental health professional especially if:
● You’re feeling unsafe, having thoughts of harming yourself, or feeling like you might acton those thoughts
● Your distress feels overwhelming, persistent, or is getting worse over time
● You’re navigating trauma, grief, or major life transitions that feel too heavy to hold alone
● You’re struggling with substance use, compulsive behaviors, or urges that feel out of control
● Relationship concerns, conflict, or patterns feel complex, painful, or stuck
● You want help understanding deeper patterns, not just managing symptoms
● You’re looking for a space to be fully seen, understood, and responded to by another person
If you’re ever unsure whether your situation “counts” as needing human support, that uncertainty alone can be a sign it’s worth reaching out.
Therapy isn’t just about developing coping skills; it’s about the relationship, meaning, and change that occur over time. A licensed therapist can offer attunement, clinical judgment, and ethical responsibility that AI tools simply can’t provide. There’s no threshold you have to meet to deserve support. If something in you is asking for connection, that’s reason enough to reach out. Contact us here or at info@deepwatermichigan.com to learn more about setting up an appointment with one of our licensed counselors or counseling interns. If you’re in immediate danger or crisis, please contact the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.
-By Alaina Kuisma, LLPC