It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, large-scale language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini weren’t widely used or used at all. Organizations and businesses across all industries are now leveraging this technology to achieve their goals in an environment with few guardrails and very limited understanding of how it will impact users over time. In the field of mental health, chatbots such as Woebot, Replika, and Wysa are programmed to incorporate psychotherapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy upon request.
If you’re considering therapy, or a friend or family member has inspired you to seek therapy, should you or they seek the help of a chatbot or a therapist? There are pros and cons to both choices. The disadvantages are very important, so we recommend considering them first.
Disadvantages of chatbots
Chatbots are currently programmed and should not be used if you have suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or symptoms of a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Many people commit suicide, murder, or experience an increase in psychotic symptoms after interacting with chatbots. People with extreme beliefs often find their beliefs reinforced by chatbots (Head, 2025).
But even if your problem isn’t this serious, it’s important to know that chatbots can have a negative impact on people who are in crisis or experiencing severe symptoms. Because chatbots are programmed to please you, they can actually reinforce harmful beliefs about yourself, others, the world, and the future. And anthropomorphizing chatbots may encourage them to consider responses to express true empathy (Iftikhar et al., 2025). You may start to rely on chatbots and miss out on opportunities to form or strengthen relationships with other people (including therapists if needed).
There are other risks with chatbots. While these may be helpful in cases of simple depression or anxiety, they are generally inappropriate for people with complex or chronic issues, those in toxic relationships, or those who require a more nuanced and comprehensive treatment plan. Current designs may mask cultural, socio-economic, racial, or other biases (Iftikhar et al., 2025). They may not be able to perform a comprehensive assessment and may provide inappropriate or incorrect advice. Chatbots may not question your unhelpful thoughts or actions enough. They are not responsible to anyone. They may not adapt their interventions to your specific challenges and needs, and there are no consumer protections. Conversations that may identify you and your mental health issues are not protected. Don’t expect any privacy. And be aware that some people can become overly dependent.
Advantages of chatbots
Of course, chatbots have many advantages. Chatbots usually cost nothing to use. This makes chatbots accessible to individuals around the world. This is especially essential where the number of therapists is in short supply, as in many remote and rural areas. Instant access before, during, and after a problem occurs. They feel anonymous, with some not revealing themselves to therapists and others revealing themselves to chatbots. Chatbots can reliably deliver the same treatment techniques over time, and some chatbots can help identify important patterns of thinking and behavior in different situations. They help you structure your day, solve problems, make decisions, locate resources, and provide feedback. Helps you practice skills and learn conversation techniques. It helps you monitor your daily habits (sleep, diet, exercise, medication, etc.).
Disadvantages of treatment by a therapist
Seeing a therapist is expensive and time consuming. Typically, you don’t have much access to a therapist between sessions. Finding a therapist can be a challenge, especially in areas where there are few therapists. You may be hesitant to tell your therapist for fear of embarrassment or criticism. (Incidentally, this fear is unfounded for a well-trained, empathetic clinician.) It’s important to feel comfortable and comfortable with your therapist. This allows you to feel free to reveal who you really are, your hopes, and your fears. Therapists vary greatly in approach, ability, wisdom, understanding, and compassion, so you may not be a good fit with the first therapist you try.
Benefits of treatment with an effective therapist
A competent therapist will provide you with a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment and accurate diagnosis of your strengths and weaknesses. Your therapist will create an individualized treatment plan, relate it to you, and elicit your feedback. This plan includes evidence-based strategies and techniques that research has shown to be effective for your symptoms. Therapists also customize treatment plans based on individual characteristics such as age, education level, cultural background, gender, background, and family structure. When planning your treatment, your therapist will help you identify your aspirations, values, and goals, along with your current challenges and preferences. The therapist provides genuine empathy and elicits your response to the intervention. They monitor your emotional experiences, facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language and tailor the treatment to make sure it’s right for you.
The conclusion is
If you have a serious mental health condition, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, extreme beliefs, complex or chronic problems, or regular crises, see a therapist. If not, it may make sense to try out a chatbot for a period of time. If so, please investigate the risks to your privacy. Monitor your chatbot engagement over a few weeks to assess how much you rely on it and how many opportunities you are missing out on interacting with people. Set goals for yourself and use chatbots to keep you accountable and measure your progress. If the problem isn’t resolved or the emotional or behavioral symptoms aren’t alleviated after a month, it might be a sign that the chatbot isn’t helping you enough and you need a good therapist.
To find a therapist, Visit Psychology Today’s Therapy Directory.
