Is AI therapy the future of mental healthcare? What to know
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Discover the world of AI therapy, including its use cases, benefits, drawbacks, and effectiveness. Learn how AI is shaping the future of mental health care.
Getting mental health support isn’t always easy. Honestly, finding a therapist can feel a little bit like dating. There’s the searching, the waiting, and of course, the wondering whether you’ll click. Then when you finally do find a therapist you like, there’s the cost, the scheduling, and maybe even the fear of opening up. Sometimes, it’s all so overwhelming that it can seem easier to put off seeking help altogether.
But what if support was available anytime, anywhere —no waitlists, no judgment, just a few clicks away? That’s where the premise of AI therapy comes into play.
We want to start right off by saying that this form of therapy is very new, and there is still so much to be discovered and determined. No AI tool is a replacement for real, in-person care, but for those who have less urgent mental health issues, or just need someone to listen right away it could be an effective option.
Can AI really offer meaningful emotional support? Should we trust it? And most importantly — how do we know if it’s helping or hurting? Let’s dig into the possibilities, the pitfalls, and what experts want you to know before you turn to AI for your mental health.
What is AI therapy?
AI therapy is exactly what it sounds like — mental health support powered by artificial intelligence. Chatbots and digital platforms use AI to guide users through mood tracking, coping strategies, and structured exercises that mimic talk therapy. But can an algorithm really offer meaningful support?
Therapy is deeply human—built on trust, empathy, and connection—things we don’t typically associate with machines. We asked Calm’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Chris Mosunic PhD, RD, MBA to share his perspective with us.
“AI therapy is moving forward so quickly that high-quality research on it is having a hard time keeping up,” Dr. Mosunic says. “What we know about effective therapy is that there needs to be a strong alliance, or connection, between the therapist and patient where the patient feels listened to and supported by a therapist who genuinely cares for their wellbeing.”
Right now, most AI therapy tools focus on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — a widely studied approach that can help people recognize and change negative thought patterns. Since CBT is highly structured, it’s a natural fit for AI. Dr. Mosunic explains that the first generation of CBT chatbots didn’t hit the mark, but that there may be room for improvement.
“I first downloaded a cognitive behavioral therapy chatbot app about three years ago and it was pretty bad,” explains Dr. Mosunic. “But today, it’s much better, and research is showing that it may be helpful for ‘low-lift’ patients — those in the subclinical to mild range.”
Is AI therapy effective? Possible benefits and drawbacks
While AI therapy isn’t ready to replace human therapists, it’s becoming a useful supplement, especially for people looking for low-cost, on-demand support. But is it enough?
“Right now, I’d say that there’s little chance of harm to anybody in the subclinical level trying out an AI therapy chatbot,” Dr. Mosunic says. “But I wouldn’t want anybody out there to take it too seriously and think they’re getting treatment equivalent to a licensed therapist.”
While AI therapy is truly uncharted territory, there are some possible benefits and drawbacks that keep this topic buzzing around the zeitgeist.
6 potential benefits of AI therapy
If you’ve ever had to wait three months for the next available session with a therapist, you know the struggle. Therapy can be life-changing, but it’s not always easy to access. This is where AI therapy steps in, offering a potential bridge between needing support and actually getting it.
Here’s why some people are excited about it:
1. It’s available 24/7: Unlike traditional therapy, which requires scheduling and waiting, AI therapy tools are always available. You can open your phone or computer and get a bit of support whenever you need it.
2. It’s more affordable: We all know therapy can be expensive. But many AI-powered mental health tools offer free or low-cost options, making mental health support more financially accessible. While it’s not a full replacement for a human therapist, it might be a helpful starting point for those who can’t afford traditional therapy.
3. It’s anonymous: The idea of sharing your deepest thoughts with a therapist can be intimidating. But interacting with a computer might help reduce feelings of awkwardness — the perceived anonymity can make it easier to open up.
4. It may work for shy people: For some, the idea of talking to a therapist—especially for the first time—is scary. AI therapy allows people to explore mental health support in a low-pressure, judgment-free way.
5. It provides reminders to keep up motivation: It’s easy to let mental healthcare slide when life gets busy. AI therapy tools can help you stay consistent by sending reminders, tracking your progress, and giving you encouragement.
6. It could help therapists, not replace them: AI therapy’s real potential lies in enhancing, not replacing, human therapists by handling routine tasks like mood tracking and habit reminders.
“I really see AI’s full potential in helping therapists be better therapists,” Dr. Mosunic shares. “Having a human in the driver’s seat with much-improved therapy AI tools might be just the right blend to maximize engagement, efficacy, and safety one day.”
4 potential drawbacks of AI therapy
AI therapy might be convenient, but mental health isn’t just about convenience — it’s about safety, trust, and real human care. And while AI tools are advancing at an incredibly fast pace, they do come with some big risks that can’t be ignored.
Here are the the ethical concerns and potential pitfalls of AI therapy:
1. AI lacks true human connection: A good therapist picks up on tone, body language, and subtle shifts in emotion — things that AI just can’t fully grasp. For people struggling with deep emotional pain, grief, trauma, or complex mental health conditions, AI therapy simply isn’t enough.
“A computer can’t fully replace a human when it comes to treating somebody’s mental health in most cases — especially in cases that are moderate, severe, or suicidal,” Dr. Mosunic explains.
2. Privacy risks and data concerns: When you share your thoughts and emotions with an AI therapy app, where does that data go? Many AI therapy platforms collect user data for training, improvement, or even marketing purposes. In some cases, this information could be shared with third parties — raising major concerns about privacy and confidentiality.
Unlike human therapists, AI chatbots aren’t bound by strict confidentiality laws like HIPAA (in the U.S.) or GDPR (in Europe). Some apps store user conversations, meaning there’s always a risk of data leaks or breaches.
If you’re considering AI therapy, always check the app’s privacy policy to see how your data is stored and used. And if you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing something in a public forum, think twice before typing it into a chatbot.
3. AI can spread misinformation or give unsafe advice: AI models are trained on vast amounts of data, but that doesn’t mean they always get things right. In some cases, AI-powered chatbots have been caught giving harmful, misleading, or even dangerous advice.
This is why clinical oversight is so important. Without proper human supervision, AI therapy could do more harm than good, especially for vulnerable users or children under the age of 18 who may not have the same tech-discernment skills that adults have.
“Technology goes unsupervised, claiming to deliver a mental health ‘treatment’ to people who are at high risk — and they end up getting hurt because the AI has not been proven to be safe and effective yet,” Dr. Mosunic explains.
4. The risk of replacing human therapists: Let’s be clear. If used at all, AI should be a tool to support therapy, not a substitute for real human care. But as AI therapy gains popularity, some companies may start treating it as a cost-saving alternative to traditional therapy.
“There needs to be clinical oversight by a licensed clinician who is familiar with both technology and the practice of mental health,” says Dr. Mosunic. “So many startups in the AI space—despite likely not wanting to do harm—can do harm if they don’t partner with mental health professionals.”
How AI therapy may change the mental healthcare industry: 4 use cases
So, when does AI therapy actually make sense? While it’s not a magic cure-all, it does have some practical and even promising applications, especially for those looking to build mental health habits or supplement traditional therapy. Here are some of the key ways people are using AI therapy today.
1. Building mental health habits
Think of AI therapy like a mental wellness coach — helping you incorporate small, research-backed strategies into your daily routine. Many AI-powered apps provide:
Mood tracking: Helping you recognize patterns in your emotions and triggers.
Guided meditations and breathing exercises: Quick ways to reset when stress hits.
Journaling prompts: Encouraging self-reflection and emotional processing.
These tools don’t require a huge time commitment, sometimes, just a few minutes a day can make a difference. The key benefit is consistency. AI can provide gentle reminders and structure, helping users stick with their mental health practices over time. (Explore these seven strategies to build habits that last, no AI required.)
💙 Build Habits that Actually Stick during this series with Dr. Julie Smith.
2. Providing emotional support
Let’s be honest, sometimes, you just need someone (or something) to listen. AI chatbots provide an always-available space to vent, process feelings, and receive supportive responses. While they aren’t human, they can mirror the experience of journaling — helping users organize their thoughts and emotions in a structured way.
If you’re dealing with everyday stress, occasional anxiety, or low mood, AI therapy could be a helpful extra layer of support. (Here are nine simple ways to shift a low mood.)
💙 Feeling overwhelmed? Explore 7 Days of Managing Stress with Tamara Levitt.
3. Coaching for everyday stress
AI therapy tools often use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to help people navigate stress, anxiety, and negative thought patterns. This includes:
Reframing negative thoughts: Helping users challenge unhelpful thinking.
Behavioral activation: Encouraging small, positive actions to boost mood.
Problem-solving techniques: Offering strategies for managing challenges.
For people who struggle with motivation, an AI-powered tool can act as a gentle push in the right direction — helping users take small but meaningful steps toward feeling better. Need to get motivated? Explore these 10 tips to inspire and encourage yourself.
💙 When you find yourself spiraling you can always Overcome Negative Thinking with the help of this meditation.
4. Assisting human therapists
This is where AI therapy really shines — as a tool that enhances human-led therapy rather than replacing it.
Between-session support: AI tools can help clients practice skills learned in therapy.
Data-driven insights: Mood tracking and AI analysis can provide therapists with useful patterns.
Reinforcement of therapy concepts: AI can keep clients engaged with guided exercises.
For now, AI therapy is best seen as a companion tool — something that can offer structure, encouragement, and skill-building, but not deep emotional processing or crisis intervention.
AI therapy FAQs
Can AI therapy replace human therapists?
No, AI therapy can’t replace a human therapist. Therapy is built on trust, empathy, and real human connection — things AI can’t fully replicate. While AI chatbots can offer structured support, they lack the intuition and depth needed to help with complex emotions or severe mental health concerns.
That said, AI therapy can be a helpful supplement for reinforcing skills learned in traditional therapy or managing mild mental health concerns.
How can I protect my data when using AI therapy apps?
AI therapy apps often collect user data, and unlike human therapists, they aren’t always bound by strict confidentiality laws. Before using one, check:
Does it store conversations?
Is the data encrypted?
Does it share data with third parties?
What types of mental health issues can AI therapy most effectively address?
AI therapy works best for mild issues like stress, low mood, or occasional anxiety. Here are 10 symptoms of anxiety (and how to mindfully treat them).
It’s useful for mood tracking, guided exercises, and habit-building but not suited for severe conditions like major depression, PTSD, or suicidal thoughts.
For anything beyond mild concerns, human support is essential.
Who is a good candidate for AI therapy and who shouldn’t use it?
AI therapy may help if you:
Have mild stress or anxiety and want structured support.
Need a therapy supplement, not a replacement.
Want to build self-care habits like mindfulness and journaling.
AI therapy is NOT recommended for:
Children and teens: They may struggle to interpret AI responses critically.
People in crisis: AI can’t provide emergency support or deep emotional care.
Anyone seeking deep connection: AI lacks true warmth and empathy.
What are experts’ concerns about how AI therapy should and shouldn’t be used?
Experts in both mental health and technology agree on one thing: AI therapy has potential, but it also has serious risks. Here are some of the key concerns:
AI chatbots can give misleading or unsafe advice.Unlike human therapists, AI doesn’t always recognize when it’s made a mistake. Some AI therapy models have been caught minimizing serious concerns or giving inappropriate responses.
AI isn’t regulated like human therapists. Right now, there aren’t strict laws in place to ensure AI therapy tools meet clinical safety standards.
There’s a risk of AI replacing human therapists. If AI therapy is seen as a cheap alternative to traditional therapy, there’s a danger that companies or insurance providers could push AI over real human care.
Ultimately, AI therapy should be a tool — not a substitute for professional, evidence-based mental health care.
How do we make AI therapy safer?
AI therapy isn’t going away, so the real challenge is making it as safe and responsible as possible. If an AI therapy tool has been reviewed by a reputable third party, that’s a good sign, but not a guarantee. To make AI therapy safer we need:
More research: We need rigorous studies on AI therapy’s long-term effectiveness and risks.
Better regulation: Companies should be held accountable for ethical AI use, privacy protections, and clinical safety.
Human oversight: AI therapy should be monitored by real mental health professionals, not just tech developers.
Third-party approval: Look for AI therapy tools that have been vetted by trusted organizations.
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