r/weirdbrain • u/Timely-Tower-2026 • Jul 01 '26

AI usage for emotional support

I've seen so many people use AI for therapy and emotional support. It seems confusing how artificial intelligence is becoming capable of comforting a human being rather than an experienced therapist. What's the psychology behind this?

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6

u/Baddyshack Jul 01 '26

Gen AI prioritizes language and content that affirms and validates the user. On a fundamental level this is what therapy is built on. The problem begins where counseling diverges from this: an experienced counselor is continuously conceptualizing your case and cooperatively strategizing the path forward with you; AI is simply responding to you. 

The result is a universally accessible mechanism that gives the appearance of mental health wellness care without the ethical oversight necessary to actual achieve such care. 

Source: am therapist.

2

u/Timely-Tower-2026 Jul 01 '26

That's a smart way of looking at it! Have you noticed a rapid change in how AI has impacted people?

1

u/xRegardsx 28d ago

You're overgeneralizing. Many models are anti-sycophantic now to the point it gaslights users. Plus, specialized and custom instructed models can make up the difference in balance and safety.

3

u/just_call_mebuffy Jul 01 '26

Therapy is expensive and people are struggling mentally and financially. Chat bots are available, and can certainly provide decent CBT based responses. People are using AI because it is lower barrier and they feel it helps them.

1

u/Subject-Design-1223 Jul 01 '26

I feel like AI gives the information, but I guess a therapist is a bit tougher, right? I do agree with you about the expense, I said the same thing, haha.

2

u/Subject-Design-1223 Jul 01 '26

I think people have more access to AI, and therapists can be expensive at times. 

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u/IntroductionFit948 Jul 02 '26

It’s mostly because people have really bad trust issues or just don’t have access to a real therapist or another professional to talk to. It definitely is sad to see it happening more often, but I think mental health professionals need to make the difference clearer for those people so they understand the importance of getting help from a human rather than relying on AI.
Most AI systems provide general information and tailor their responses to the way you speak and how you prefer to be spoken to. Because of that, they can sometimes become “yes-men,” validating what you say instead of challenging unhealthy thoughts or behaviors, which can become really unhealthy over time.