SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (WGEM) – One in five Americans experiences some form of mental illness each year, and while it’s clear that they need help, many avoid treatment due to cost and stigma. I’m not asking for it. As a result, AI chatbots have stepped in to replace Freud for thousands of people. But can a bot do the job of a real therapist? Leading experts guide you through the wilds of AI chatbots.
Emily Anhalt, a San Francisco-based psychologist, has seen firsthand the effects of this country’s mental health crisis.
“Incidences of anxiety, depression, burnout, etc. are skyrocketing, and there aren’t enough trained and qualified therapists to fill all the people who want support,” Anhalt said. I wouldn’t be surprised if more mental health apps like this one emerge.
Anhalt is referring to a new breed of wellness apps such as Woebot, Replika, and Earkick that provide support through AI chatbots. Treatments range from cognitive behavioral training to companion bots that engage with you, all at a fraction of the cost of a physical therapist.
“We just want to make sure we’re not doing it in a way that actually does more harm than good,” Anhalt said.
Jodi Halpern, a global expert and professor of bioethics at the University of California, Berkeley, worries about the Wild West aspect of unmonitored apps. Last year, Coco’s co-founders revealed that the platform provided AI responses to thousands of people who thought they were talking to a human.
Dr. Halpern said, “I’m not opposed to the development of AI in any way, but I think we need to think about regulation and safe development.”
Dr. Halpern is leading the charge to get chatbot apps that provide mental health services regulated by the FDA. She is concerned about the limits of AI “treatment.”
“If you say you’re having suicidal thoughts or feelings, the bot just says, ‘We can’t help you with that.’ Dial 9-1-1,” Dr. Halpern said.
Last year, Chai, a Belgian man who used the app, made headlines when a fraudulent bot encouraged him to commit suicide.
“I’m very concerned about this wave of AI treatments,” Anhalt said.
Dr. Halpern said, “Technology is good, but it all needs to be used in a way that values people. I think we need to use it in a more enlightened way.”
Most AI therapy chatbots offer a free version and a subscription model with unlimited usage for around $100 per year or less. In contrast, a single in-person session with a qualified therapist can cost between $100 and $200 per session. Dr. Halpern recognizes that AI therapies aren’t going away anytime soon. She said it’s best to use AI as a tool for cognitive-behavioral exercises while continuing to see a real therapist.
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