Subtitle: Navigating the New “Co-Therapist” in the Room
Table of Contents
- Why Clients Are Turning to ChatGPT
- What This Means for the Therapy Relationship
- Ethical Concerns Around AI Advice
- Recommended Tools for Therapists
- Final Thought
Why Clients Are Turning to ChatGPT
You’re sitting in session when a client says, “ChatGPT told me to reframe it like this.” It’s not an isolated incident. Increasingly, clients are turning to AI in therapy for emotional support, quick coping strategies, and sometimes, a bit of validation.
AI like ChatGPT offers instant, non-judgmental responses, making it a tempting tool for people who might feel uncomfortable sitting alone with their emotions. It’s available 24/7, which makes it a low-pressure outlet when therapy access is limited by cost or scheduling constraints.
Common reasons clients use AI tools like ChatGPT:
- Therapy access is limited by cost or time.
- Curiosity about AI-generated insights.
- They seek neutral or low-pressure feedback.
Faith reminder: Just like books, podcasts, or journaling, AI tools can support the therapeutic process, but they are not substitutes for human presence. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22
What This Means for the Therapy Relationship
Let’s clear something up: ChatGPT is not replacing you as a therapist. When a client mentions something they found through AI in therapy, it’s an invitation to connect on a deeper level. They’re sharing their inner world, including the part shaped by digital tools.
How can you respond in a way that strengthens your relationship?
- Stay curious: Ask, “What about that answer helped you?”
- Co-reflect: Explore whether the AI’s suggestion aligns with their goals or needs.
- Reaffirm your role: Remind clients that while ChatGPT can simulate advice, only a trained therapist can truly empathize, attune, and adapt to their unique journey.
The goal is to integrate AI-generated insights meaningfully without shutting down their curiosity. Normalize the exploration of outside support while reinforcing the irreplaceable value of therapy.
Ethical Concerns Around AI Advice
While there’s room for AI in therapy, we can’t ignore the ethical risks. Unlike human therapists, AI is not trained to understand trauma, emotional nuance, or context. This can lead to potentially harmful advice or oversimplified recommendations.
Key concerns to keep in mind:
- Self-diagnosis: AI can easily mislabel complex issues, leading to inaccurate conclusions.
- Crisis situations: ChatGPT is not equipped to handle acute emotional crises, such as suicidal ideation or self-harm.
- Boundary confusion: Clients may begin to blur the lines between personal insights and clinical advice, leading to mixed expectations.
As therapists, it’s our role to:
- Gently correct misinformation when necessary.
- Clarify what therapy offers that AI cannot.
- Encourage discernment—without shaming clients for exploring these tools.
🎥 YouTube Suggestion: Watch this video from the therapy group Terre Vite:
“Can ChatGPT Replace Therapy?” (5-minute overview from a clinical perspective)
Watch it here
Recommended Tools for Therapists
As clients bring more digital influence into their sessions, it’s essential for therapists to stay updated on how AI in therapy can impact our work. Here are a few resources to help you navigate these shifts:
- PESI CEU Courses: Stay informed on trauma, ethics, and the growing role of AI in therapy.
- Practice of the Practice: Tools for growing your private practice and managing client expectations around digital support.
- Simple Practice: A comprehensive tool for managing your practice and tracking the integration of AI insights into therapy.
Find these and other resources on my Support for Therapists in the Trenches page.
Final Thought
The next time a client mentions ChatGPT, take it as a compliment. They trust you enough to share not just what’s happening in your sessions, but also the digital conversations shaping their thoughts.
We’re not being replaced by AI. We’re being invited into a new space for collaboration—one that requires us to show up with ethical awareness, compassion, and full presence.
Call to Action
If you’ve had clients mention ChatGPT in therapy or are navigating the role of AI in therapy, I’d love to hear your experience. How do you respond when AI advice enters the room?
Ready to explore AI’s role in therapy more deeply?
Visit my Support for Therapists in the Trenches page to discover helpful tools and resources.
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