Gabriel Ellis, PhD | The Curious Mind Podcast

Can artificial intelligence replace a real therapist? Many people in psychological distress are turning to AI like ChatGPT. In this realistic experiment, psychotherapist Gabriel Ellis tests whether ChatGPT, with good prompts, can operate as a client-centered therapist comparable to Carl Rogers. The result is, in most cases, a clear and well-founded warning about the limitations of AI in psychotherapy.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com

Can AI tools like ChatGPT serve as a substitute for psychotherapy, at least for advanced users? In this live-simulated session, the user becomes frustrated with too much information or simply receives bad advice. As a therapist, ChatGPT is a well-structured con artist who can summarize unempathetically but cannot read between the lines.In the next episode, I will simulate a client a client who is exceptionally well-informed. Let's see if there is any chance for ChatGPT to be a decent therapist after all!Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/CPjrpkgH-McHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com

In this episode, I introduce the problematic nature of therapy with "artificial intelligence." I show what happens when an inexperienced user tries to use AI as a psychological advisor. I explain why this type of use can quickly lead to misunderstandings and is even dangerous — and why genuine professional guidance remains indispensable.In the next two episodes, I will simulate a client who has some experience with self-development, and finally, a client who is exceptionally well-informed. Let's see how that turns out!Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com

Loneliness is not a weakness, but a reflection of our times. I will illuminate the necessary insights and fundamental practices for overcoming loneliness and isolation. You'll learn how to develop realistic expectations for social encounters and which exercises you can use to bring more courage, empathy, and authenticity into your interactions.Free introduction call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/

Why are other people so fundamental to our consciousness?Even in the womb, our consciousness begins to engage with the "Other"—through the body, through sensations and perceptions. Later, young children project mental qualities onto inanimate objects and enter into quasi-social relationships with them. Overall, our long phase of dependency on parents makes us particularly sensitive to recognition and social connection... These are key components I explore to show why social perception and recognition are the foundation of our sense of self—and why they can never be fully resolved.Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

This episode explores how modern digital life contributes to social isolation. Social media fosters constant social comparisons, depleting our social energy and raising unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others. As a result, real-life interactions become increasingly exhausting and unsatisfying. Herd psychology plays a crucial role: people align with the opinions and behaviors of their digital surroundings, reinforcing echo chambers and distorting social validation. At the same time, suppressed aggression finds an outlet in social media, creating the illusion of a like-minded community – an illusion that ultimately leads to disappointment in real-life relationships. This dynamic further fuels loneliness and social withdrawal.Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/02jwT8w39IcHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

Social isolation is increasing significantly in our modern society. But why? In this episode, I introduce the causes and context of this growing problem. Technological developments, urbanization, individualism, and the decline of social gathering places have led to more and more people experiencing loneliness. At the same time, anxiety, depression, and economic pressure further reinforce this trend.https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/https://www.npr.org/2025/01/29/1227543269/antisocial-century-derek-thompsonYoutube: https://youtu.be/5Hnvf07X5nYFree discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

There are places in the mind that go beyond immediate sensory perception - both positive (contentment and peace) and negative (despair and sadness). But what does it mean in ancient Buddhism to find a true home in the depths of the Dhamma? I describe similarities with the Greek Logos and how truth and inner stability belong together.Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/Gu-evzKY9rwHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

After giving a first introduction to the "home of the ego" from a Buddhist perspective, in this episode I bring examples of other mystical traditions. It seems that whenever people are inspired by wisdom or devotion they develop similar techniques for transcending normal consciousness. Examples are from from Plotinus, Christian, Islamic and Jewish mystics. The next episode will return to Buddhism and to how the shift in consciousness is carried out technically.Youtube: https://youtu.be/C35HmEYG2NsFree discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com

This episode dives into the Buddhist concept of Āyatana, the “home base” of our ego that shapes how we experience the world. While we usually operate within the sensual realm, Buddhism teaches that through spiritual practice, we can transcend this and access higher levels of awareness, such as meditative concentration and liberation.Short Ayatana article: https://www.academia.edu/45655783/%C4%80yatana_the_Buddhas_forgotten_teachingLonger article: https://www.academia.edu/43117230/%C4%80yatana_in_Early_BuddhismFree discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/FY9VPKLIXBwHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com