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Assistance without replacement
Assistance without replacement
Understanding AI therapy and human connection
Understanding AI therapy and human connection
There has been an increase in reported cases of mental health problems globally. According to the World Health Organization, as of 2019, 970 million people globally were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression being the most common.
While mental health issues are on the rise, so is the cost of therapy sessions. This has led to people exploring AI-based options such as using chatbots and applications. Applications also offer real online connections, some with real licensed mental health experts, others social connections, even if they are avatars. The most popular digital mental health tools are ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, Gemini, Wysa, Replika, Ollie, and Youper AI.
Most of these tools can be accessed on a free plan.
How does AI therapy work?
How does AI therapy work?
AI therapy is set up online on various platforms, either as an application, extension, or chatbot. They basically allow someone to interact with a software program through various means, such as text or voice.
These programs are designed to walk someone through a realistic therapy session with guided responses. They are modeled and trained to tailor automated messages to suit mental health needs and engage the correspondent in simple, engaging, and helpful exercises.
Benefits of AI-assisted therapy sessions
Benefits of AI-assisted therapy sessions
Affordable therapy
Affordable therapy
The cost of therapy per session is anywhere between 50 and 100 dollars. This is quite expensive for an ordinary person with normal wages. This situation becomes more grim for third-world countries, as many people cannot afford therapy.
AI steps in to offer free or affordable rates, as most of them have free plans and paid plans as low as $5 a month. This could prove to be a huge assist in improving the mental health status of people in underserved areas.
Anonymity
Anonymity
Many people, men especially, often fear consulting therapists due to fear of being seen as weak. Many still may find it difficult to find confidants whom they can fully trust with their private and personal information.
AI offers 100% anonymity with no fear of being exposed. It is also easy to talk to, as AI doesn't have the capacity to judge or give away controversial facial expressions and body language.
Convenience and accessibility
Convenience and accessibility
AI can be accessed anywhere by anyone as long as they have internet access and a device that can run the program (phones, laptops, desktops, and tablets). It beats the traditional method of having to locate a place and person in order for a therapy session to occur.
Limitations of AI therapy
Limitations of AI therapy
A shallow emotional comprehension
A shallow emotional comprehension
Computer programs are great and logical and can even diagnose quite well, but they can only mimic emotions that are programmed into them. This gives off a plastic feeling of emotional connection as opposed to talking and connecting with another human being.
Repetitive answers and prompts
Repetitive answers and prompts
Since most of these conversations are run by pre-programmed prompts, AI usually has a select pool from which it responds. The conversation can eventually feel very repetitive and unoriginal. This may defeat the purpose of therapy, which is meant to open all available avenues and ideas for healing and growth.
Concerns of data collection and privacy
Concerns of data collection and privacy
There have been concerns that applications collect data on users. Most of these data are stipulated to be sold to other companies for targeted marketing purposes. Users are encouraged to download these applications only from trusted sources.
What is the future of psychotherapy?
What is the future of psychotherapy?
AI tools are here to stay. They help out people who don't have enough cash for physical therapy or are just afraid of physical therapy.
While it is a good initiative, it can never fully replace the authentic connection that happens in social groups during sharing therapy or one-on-one sessions. Most people in poor and developing nations still don't have full access to online-based therapy platforms.
Remember!
AI is not here to replace human therapists but rather to facilitate the need for better sessions and can act as a gateway to building meaningful social networks and conversations.
(FAQS) Frequently asked questions on AI therapy
(FAQS) Frequently asked questions on AI therapy
Is AI therapy as effective as human therapy?
Is AI therapy as effective as human therapy?
It depends.
Yes, if it's for mild to moderate mental health issues like loneliness and work stress. These issues should also be short-term.
No, if you're facing a complex mental health condition such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Long-term conditions or critical tasks, such as trauma counselling, should also be managed by a traditional therapist.
Who benefits most from AI-assisted therapy?
Who benefits most from AI-assisted therapy?
People with mild to moderate mental health issues, like anxiety
People with challenges in accessing or affording real therapists
People seeking comprehensive tracking and monitoring of behavior with better personalized digital tools.
Can AI replace human therapists altogether?
Can AI replace human therapists altogether?
No.
AI is good for many things, but humans understand and grasp emotions better than AI. Humans can also quickly pick up on social cues and relevant socioeconomic components of individualized mental health. AI is meant to fill in the gaps, not replace the mental health workforce.
What ethical and regulatory issues are there with AI?
What ethical and regulatory issues are there with AI?
Concerns about data privacy, as it has been reported that AI stores and sends back information to the parent company.
Biased algorithms. AI is trained and pulls information from available sources on the internet. This means that it can pull bias as well from the information it is fed.
Deepfakes (impersonation) and weak verification protocols on AI agents may lead to exposure to unlicensed professionals or misleading content that causes more harm than good.
When should someone seek a human therapist instead of AI?
When should someone seek a human therapist instead of AI?
When dealing with chronic, severe, or serious mental health issues like:
Trauma (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Suicidal thoughts and ideation
Severe chronic depression
Classified complex mental diseases, i.e., anorexia nervosa
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