What in the World ‘I replaced my therapist with an AI chatbot’
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Jul 8, 2025 Jordan Dunbar, a BBC journalist renowned for his documentaries on mental health, discusses the rise of AI chatbots as alternatives to traditional therapy. He examines their effectiveness, particularly for issues like money anxiety, and raises concerns about data privacy. The conversation delves into the cultural impact of apps like DeepSeek in China, especially among the youth. Experts highlight both the potential benefits of instant support and the significant risks of relying on AI for complex emotional issues.
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Therapist Shortages Worldwide
- There is a global shortage of trained therapists and psychiatrists due to high costs and long training times.
- Increased mental health awareness has raised demand far beyond the available supply.
AI Helping Manage Anxiety
- Michael from Austria used ChatGPT to manage his money anxiety when he couldn't afford or access traditional therapy.
- The chatbot quickly identified childhood financial instability and offered a helpful plan, providing immediate relief.
Therapy Chatbots Use CBT Framework
- Dedicated therapy chatbots often use structured CBT techniques to help users reframe thoughts.
- Most therapy content is not publicly available, limiting the data that AI models can learn from.