Should I use AI for Therapy?

AI is a hot button topic right now. People are being laid off, positions not refilled, call centers are slowly being phased out in favor of AI, schools are fighting student use of AI on assignments, and people are seeking support from AI in therapy.

Don't get me wrong, AI has its place. I use it. But, as with most things, it also comes with risks.

So real quick. What is AI?

According to Google, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is "a branch of computer science that builds machines and software capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding."

AI is everywhere: your Google Assistant or Alexa, the recommendations you receive on Netflix or Spotify, Self Driving Technology, and of course ChatGPT. We even get an AI synopsis of our queries in Google now.

I also want to take a moment to address a specific aspect of the definition. It states that AI is created to perform tasks that "require human intelligence." So yes, in the sense of logical reasoning it does perform those tasks. That suggests that AI is useful for gaining information or recognizing patterns in data: tasks that may take us hours, days, months, or even years to evaluate and understand.

I personally use AI to help me with creating templates for documents that I can then use to plug in information and save myself some time, or to help me organize my thoughts.

What's the point?

Now that we have established what AI is and how it can be useful, let's get to my real point.

AI in Therapy

I am a Therapist. Specifically, I am a Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC®), and Licensed Counselor (LPC).

Remember what I said earlier about human intelligence? There are multiple facets of Human Intelligence. One being ... drumroll Emotional Intelligence!

I feel like there are so many movies that have addressed specifically this. Can robots feel?

Okay that's not actually my point.

AI is designed to use information gained from all over the internet in real time to respond to queries. It is not designed to experience human emotion, recognize nuances, see human behaviors, hear changes in speech (particularly if typing), or see how materials are manipulated to create a particular image and then explore that image with an individual.

Many AI models are designed to support you and validate you. It's not necessarily trained to play Devil's Advocate, challenge you, or call you out on your bullshit.

I'm not here to say "Don't use AI!" (imagine I said that in the stereotypical "you kids get off my lawn" voice). I can't do that. As I said, I use AI. It can be a valuable tool, and whether we like it or not: it's here and it's integrated into our lives more than we may realize. So why not learn to utilize it appropriately?

Here are some ways you could use AI for therapeutic benefit:

• Ask for suggestions on safe and healthy coping skills for managing stress/depression/etc.

• Ask for help with finding resources

  • Such as a guided mindfulness video online

  • A therapist or support group that meets your needs

  • A hotline number that aligns with your needs

• Ask for help with thinking of positive affirmations

Things to consider:

• AI is pulling information from all over the internet. Sometimes it's helpful to ask it where it got information from, provide resources, and confirm information you read from other reliable sources.

  • I just heard the phrase "Wikipedia isn't a reliable resource" in my head. Is that still a phrase in high school?

    

• AI is not all powerful. It can also make mistakes.

  

  RIP Robin Williams

  I am not affiliated with Disney and do not own rights to Aladdin

• AI is not human, nor is it a replacement for human interaction. Remember! We have the power of Friendship and Anime here!

So what have we learned today?

• AI is here and used in more ways than we may realize.

• AI can be useful and productive.

• AI also has risks associated.

• If you need to talk to someone, Therapy is an option.

  • Resources exist for helping with affording therapy! Insurance, sliding scales, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), interns, or community mental health.

Go forth and use your knowledge of AI for good!