Chatbots might provide temporary comfort, but they are not a substitute for human connection.

A therapist using evidence-based practices is trained to diagnose and treat you; most bots are not.

Just because your mind thinks it's harmless doesn't mean it's harmless.

You just watched the episode of South Park when the character Randy Marsh uses ChatGPT for encouragement and advice, in front of his wife Sharon. Though you’re entertained by the comedy, you might also think about how often you use a chatbot to have a surrogate human conversation.

Because large language models offer such human-like responses, some have wondered whether they should save themselves money and time, turning to AI for their comfort and guidance instead of a trained therapist. In an era where some cannot access mental health care, it is understandable that the question is emerging.

The American Psychological Association’s health advisory on this topic in November of 2025 suggests various reasons people turn to chatbots, but it also outlines in detail why this is potentially dangerous, citing a variety of reasons, for example, cases of AI psychosis. (1)

Here are five reasons you might wonder if turning to a chatbot should replace your therapist, alongside important considerations.

You feel lonely, and you’re using the chatbot for companionship or friendship. Though you might be able to get some great ideas from your chatbot, and even comforting........

© Psychology Today