Can ChatGPT be my Therapist? The rise in popularity of AI in the therapeutic space...

May 2025

Can ChatGPT Be My Therapist?

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, it’s no surprise that many are turning to platforms like ChatGPT for advice, emotional support, or even therapy. The rise of AI and superintelligence has opened the door to new possibilities—and new risks. But when it comes to deep emotional healing, can an algorithm really hold the space we need to do the work?

As a therapist, I’ve witnessed first-hand the consequences of individuals with unresolved trauma attempting to substitute therapeutic connection with a chatbot. For some, it starts as a curious experiment. For others, it becomes a coping mechanism. But for those with deep emotional wounds, this path can be misleading—and in some cases, harmful.

The Rise of AI and Superintelligence

AI is evolving faster than any tool humanity has ever created. With large language models like ChatGPT, we now have access to hyper-intelligent systems that can mimic empathy, generate insightful reflections, and even remember your "life story" in conversation. For many, this feels magical—like having an all-knowing, always-available friend. 

Last month, a Harvard Business Review research paper published its findings of the top reasons people utilise ChatGPT, "How People Are Really Using Gen AI in 2025". This global study concluded – there has been a seismic shift in the last twelve months towards AI being used for 1. Therapy / Companionship, 2. Organising my life and 3. Finding my purpose.

People are changing the way they engage with AI - but it’s important to remember: AI is not conscious. It does not feel. It does not carry intuition, presence, or soul. It is trained on patterns, probabilities, and data. When we project human qualities onto it, we risk blurring the line between connection and simulation.

The Human Condition and the Need to Heal Wounds

Humans are wired for connection. We carry stories—some generational, some deeply personal—that shape how we see the world, how we protect ourselves, and how we suffer. Trauma is not just what happened, but what was held in the body when no one was there to help us process it.

True healing involves being seen and felt by another human being. It involves safety, co-regulation, and trust built over time. A therapeutic relationship isn't just about talking—it’s about creating a container where the nervous system feels safe enough to unwind and release what has been stored for years.

The Risk of Setting Back and Exacerbating Trauma

AI, no matter how sophisticated, does not know how to respond to trauma with embodied presence. It cannot track your breath, notice a trembling hand, or intuit when to pause. It does not know when something you've shared has opened a deep wound that needs tending.

For individuals navigating PTSD, developmental trauma, or complex emotional histories, AI can unintentionally retraumatize. It might provide advice that sounds logical but lands with no emotional resonance—or worse, it might reinforce avoidance patterns, giving the illusion of progress without any real transformation.

The danger is a spiralling further into disconnection after trying to self-therapize with AI. Perhaps feeling more alone, more misunderstood, and less trusting of their own emotional signals.

The Value of an Experienced Counsellor

Healing happens in relationship. A skilled therapist doesn't just listen—they hold. They track subtle cues, create safety, and gently guide individuals through their inner landscapes. They know when to lean in and when to stay silent. They help you face what has long been buried—not from intellect, but from compassion and attunement.

A good therapist doesn't fix you—they walk beside you as you remember how to hold yourself.

Final Thoughts

AI can be a wonderful tool for reflection, journaling prompts, or exploring surface-level emotions. But when it comes to fully processing and healing trauma, it is no substitute for the sacred space of human connection.

Before asking if ChatGPT can be your therapist, ask yourself this: Do I need a chatbot to talk to—or do I need someone to truly see me?

If it's the latter, seek out a human. One professionally trained to help you reconnect to yourself, in a way which only human to human connection can facilitate.