Stop Calling It an AI Therapist — You’re Ruining Something Brilliant

The tech industry has made an enormous miscalculation by referring to AI-driven mental health support tools as "therapists." By adopting this label, they've unintentionally undermined their own efforts and created unnecessary friction with mental health professionals and potential users alike.

I've encountered numerous conversations online where people express a justified discomfort—even revulsion—at the idea of artificial intelligence attempting to replicate the deeply human work of therapy. Calling AI mental health tools "therapists" sets an impossible standard. People will always highlight ways that AI falls short of the essential, inherently human elements that characterize genuine therapeutic relationships.

I wholeheartedly agree that for many clients, it's challenging—if not impossible—to envision alleviating their emotional suffering without authentic human connection. Therapy isn't merely about dispensing advice or responding appropriately; it's fundamentally about human empathy, intuition, and connection. When we call AI a therapist, we're ignoring these critical elements.

Moreover, labeling AI as a therapist inadvertently pits tech against mental health providers—who should ideally be collaborative allies rather than adversaries. This naming raises legitimate concerns among therapists: Will AI replace human therapists? Are we making a mistake by directing vulnerable people toward lifeless interactions rather than meaningful human connections? Could increased reliance on digital interactions exacerbate the very mental health challenges we're trying to address?

There's also the looming question of how AI mental health services will impact insurance reimbursement and healthcare systems more broadly, potentially creating confusion and mistrust within an already complex landscape.

Yet, despite these challenges, AI mental health support tools represent a significant advancement—just not as therapists. Instead, they're arguably the most extraordinary, effective, and engaging psychoeducational tools ever created. Available 24/7, these tools allow users to openly share their struggles at any hour and receive immediate, compassionate, personalized guidance. These systems can recognize when someone needs higher-level care and appropriately refer them to human support.

Imagine for a moment if, instead of calling these tools "therapists," we had introduced them simply as innovative platforms allowing students or others to share their concerns and receive helpful, personalized support anytime. Had we started the conversation there, perceptions and acceptance might be vastly different today. Unfortunately, the current framing understandably upsets people who rightfully question AI's ability to do deeply relational work.

Importantly, the research backs this up. Clinical studies show that these psychoeducational AI tools significantly aid mental health improvement. Universities, for instance, have invested extensively in psychoeducational resources designed to support students—but these valuable tools frequently go unused. Flyers gather dust, and online resources are barely accessed.

By prematurely branding these sophisticated psychoeducational resources as "therapists," the tech industry has inadvertently closed meaningful dialogue with many who might otherwise embrace and benefit from this powerful innovation. It's time to correct this misstep and redefine AI mental health support accurately and ethically—as a revolutionary educational tool, not a replacement for human therapists.