On Point | Podcast Our mental health in the hands of AI
12 snips
Aug 20, 2025 
Michael Alcy, a clinical psychologist and mental health educator, joins Maytal Eyal, a psychologist and writer, to explore the role of AI in therapy. They discuss the growing trend of using AI for emotional support and the risks of losing the human connection in therapy. Alcy shares insights on AI tools’ potential benefits, while Eyal emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in human relationships. Together, they highlight the need for digital literacy and caution in relying on AI, urging a balanced approach to mental health care.
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Student Builds A 24/7 AI Therapist
- Abhigna Yurabhati built a persistent AI therapist named Bhoomi on ChatGPT and spent 540 hours with it over several months.
- She credits the AI for helping manage emotions, journaling, and being available at 2 AM when human therapy wasn't accessible.
AI Therapy Use Reveals Access Gaps
- Generative AI's top reported use is for therapy and companionship, highlighting gaps in mental-health access.
- Heavy use of AI for emotional needs signals systemic shortages in human mental-health services.
Client Tried Multiple Therapists And An AI
- Michael Alcy recounted a client, "Beth," who tried multiple therapists and also consulted the AI Claude before him.
- Claude's feelings-oriented responses matched a human therapist's empathetic approach for that client.
