Are AI chatbots safe for therapy?

Increasingly more and more people are chatting with AI to help them talk through and manage mental health struggles. But is this okay? Does it actually help? And on the flip side — does it pose any dangers to your mental health? In this episode, I'm diving deep into whether or not using ChatGPT, or any AI bot, for therapy is a wise choice, along with the potential consequences.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The risks of using AI for therapy
• The differences between chatting with AI and going to therapy
• Future considerations to use AI for mental health

*** Correction: In this episode, I mention "a teen who killed his mother," but the case involved an adult, not a teen.

Sources:

• Talk Therapy, Meet ChatGPT: https://research.ebsco.com/c/5x2dc3/viewer/html/q342kfukw5
• Gen Z is increasingly turning to ChatGPT for affordable on-demand therapy, but licensed therapists say there are dangers many aren't considering: https://research.ebsco.com/c/5x2dc3/viewer/html/gatwdcpoon
• AI chatbots are sycophants — researchers say it's harming science: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03390-0

Mentioned in episode:

• The Shallows by Nicholas Carr: https://www.nicholascarr.com/?page_id=16
• Smartphone Anxiety Is Real — Here's What Helped Me: https://www.becalmwithtati.com/phone-boundaries/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/xnkSGAk2ufo

Therapy Directories:

• Open Path Collective – Low-cost therapy directory: https://openpathcollective.org
• Psychology Today Therapist Directory – https://psychologytoday.com
• TherapyDen – Inclusive therapist directory: https://therapyden.com
• Inclusive Therapists – Focused on cultural responsiveness + trauma-informed care: https://inclusivetherapists.com
• Mental Health Match – Matches you with therapists in your area: https://mentalhealthmatch.com
• Clinicians of Color Directory – https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org
• National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) – https://nqttcn.com
• OpenCounseling – Low-cost and community-based counseling resources: https://opencounseling.com

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Calmly Coping is a self-improvement podcast for high achievers who struggle with high-functioning anxiety to help you feel more calm, balanced, and confident from within.

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Want more?

👩🏽‍💻 Work with me: My mission is to help you decrease your anxiety, declutter your mind, and say hello to a life of calm and balance. Learn more about my coaching, therapy, and course offerings here: https://becalmwithtati.com/work-with-me

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My favorite tools:

🧘🏽‍♀️ Mindfulness Meditation App*: https://mindfulnesscom-partner-program.pxf.io/x97kyd

✅ Todoist To-Do List App*: https://get.todoist.io/8e7o0ay8n081

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Say hi on social:

🔗 Website: https://becalmwithtati.com/

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Intro/Outro Music: Rescue Me (Instrumental) by Aussens@iter (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/tobias_weber/57990 Ft: Copperhead

Disclaimer

All content here is for informational purposes only. This content does not replace the professional judgment of your own mental health provider. Please consult a licensed mental health professional for all individual questions and issues.

*Links included in these show notes may be affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission for purchases made using these links (at no additional cost to you). All products that I share are products I use, love, and recommend.