“‘It’s just there on your phone’: Why millions of people are using AI for therapy” is the title of a recent Irish Times article that sets out the current tendency to resort to Chat GBT seeking advice on interpersonal and other difficulties. The most concerning aspect of this movement is the lack of understanding it demonstrates about the core component of professional psychotherapy – which is that it takes place in the context of a very specific type of relationship with a psychotherapist, which is referred to as a ‘therapeutic relationship’, which has a very clear structure and is supported by specific terms and conditions. It is understandable that a person in difficulty and seeking help cannot be expected to be up to speed on the important elements of psychotherapy. Most professional psychotherapists will welcome questions about the service they offer.
Dangers of AI for our well being is a useful video that sets out the dangers of AI as therapy which are worth considering before deciding what is the best option for you.
A basic rule of thumb is that since many of our difficulties are likely to have originated in the context of a relationship, to heal the hurt in a healthy way takes place in the context of a ‘therapeutic relationship’. For that reason it is really useful for someone seeking help to shop around and ask questions of any potential psychotherapist you are thinking of consulting about what sort of therapeutic relationship they offer before you make your mind up. Even then, when you think you have settled on the right person, it is a good idea to meet weekly for a few weeks and then take stock whether this approach is the right one for you at this point in time.
Depending on your age the notion of a professional relationship may sound a bit odd at first. Historically, most business took place in the context of a relationship. Before large supermarkets and online shopping people shopped in a variety of separate shops: butcher, baker, vegetable shop, hardware, newsagent, post office etc. The customers got to know the people who worked in each shop and as a result they developed a specific sort of relationship with them. There was the social chit chat, the bit of banter and the latest on what products were in season and the best on offer that day and such like. When these sorts of relationships were established great loyalty between customer and business developed naturally. Rarely would people shop elsewhere to save a few pence, and this loyalty worked both ways. When people were short of cash, shops would give loyal customers the goods they needed and keep an account of money owed which would be paid as soon as possible.
A similar process happened with people offering services such as the bus driver, builder, doctor, postman, nurse, solicitor, carpenter, dentist, dressmaker and accountant and so on. Most business transactions took place in the context of a relationship and thus people experienced lots of human relational experiences as they went about their daily business. As things work today we can go about our daily business with little or no human interaction.
As human beings we are relational beings by nature and this does not change whatever way the current trend goes. Thus we each have to find our own way of meeting our relational needs. In an ideal world if we each had time and willingness to relate to others in a mature and healthy way there would likely be very little need for psychotherapy. As this is not yet the case, there is a place for professional psychotherapy as a way of offering that healthy relational environment when it is not available elsewhere at a given time in a persons life. What is unique to a professional therapeutic relationship is that it is one way, as distinct from a personal friendship which is a two way process. A psychotherapist will not tell you about their life or problems. For that one way facility where the focus is on you and your needs only, a fee is charged.
There is so much more that can be said on this matter, but suffice to say that is enough for now and in conclusion, please do ask the questions you need answered of any and all professionals as you seek out the support you need.