ICYMI Encore: Is ChatGPT Your Therapist?
Jul 9, 2025
Laura Pitcher, a senior writer for Dazed, explores the fascinating trend of people turning to ChatGPT as their therapist. The discussion dives into the allure of using AI for emotional support and the potential consequences, including loneliness and diminished interpersonal skills. Pitcher shares insights on how users are outsourcing their emotions to ChatGPT and the implications of crafting personal messages through AI. The conversation also raises critical questions about data privacy and the balance between technology and genuine human connection.
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ChatGPT as Personalized Therapist
- People train ChatGPT to act as their therapist by customizing its responses to their liking.
- TikTok users reported using it as a sympathetic and non-judgmental listener for mental health support.
ChatGPT Fills Friendship Gaps
- Many prefer ChatGPT over friends for emotional sharing to keep friendships light and surface-level.
- ChatGPT fills a gap where emotional labor in friendships feels burdensome to users.
Impartiality Attracts ChatGPT Users
- People appreciate ChatGPT's impartiality and lack of judgment compared to human therapists.
- The chatbot's anonymity reduces fear of being judged in therapy sessions.