To think chat GPT is better than some 'real' therapists?

[SoapOnARopEeeee]

I'm not affiliated in any way, promise! Just really, really impressed.

That app has done more for me than any amount of CBT has.

Incredible.

Hi OP, I might be wrong (not really sure how TiKTok works!) but I think anyone who clicks that TikTok link in your previous post can see your real name (if it begins with an H). You can report the post to MN to have the post removed if so

@SoapOnARopEeeeejust tagging you so you're more likely to see my last post about identity

I have found it really helpful too. This is how I use it:
I tell it my issue, the same way I would a life coach or psychologist. Eg 'I am not sure I still want to stay with my husband or leave him' or 'I feel mweh today but don't know why' or 'I am not getting any work done and just procrastinating'?

I don't expect it to give me answers. I use it to help me think through. So I wouldn't say 'Do you think I should leave him?' or 'Do you think I should give up my job?' and then blindly follow it. Instead I use it as a listener, and to help me structure my thoughts.

So I could give it all my thoughts like journalling, then ask it to help me think it through. Or I ask it 'why do you think I might feel like this?'. It then gives me ideas. I say 'none of those resonate, but that one does. Why do you think I feel like this?'

Each time checking in with myself how things resonate using the prompts it gives me and the ideas it gives me.

So if it does say 'sounds like you need to give up your job' I would say 'I tried that before and it wasn't as success. I think it's more a feeling today that I need to work through, rather than about the job specifically. I want to stay in the job and feel motivated and enthousiastic'

It does help I have counselling and coaches before, so I know how to speak to a coach.

In the end, you do have to be honest with yourself. How do you really feel and why?

Have you tried asking it to describe you based on what it knows? Yesterday I asked it to describe my attachment style, relational challenges and personality style including things that others may find challenging. It was absolutely fascinating, and really quite accurate.

I recently had 6 sessions with a CBT counsellor to work through my ADHD related symptoms, I was sceptical but I came away with lots of tips and notes. She was really empathetic and was able to probe deeply. I like ChatGPT but I don’t think it’s as helpful as my counsellor was.

I'm a psychodynamic therapist, and I've had years of therapy, and I also use chatgpt "as a therapist". I do find it helpful, but I also recognise is limitations. It's great that it's there 24/7 and its bland, reassuring neutrality and "calmness" is sometimes all I need when struggling with something.

But obviously it's not the same as a real relationship with another human being. I cherish my therapist's individuality - her unique human perspective. There's also something very important to me about the process of actually being vulnerable and "taking risks" with a real person... Someone who in theory might have some sort of feelings/opinion about me. Using chatgpt as a therapist avoids that aspect of therapy (and for some people, perhaps that's a great starting place!)

There's also something very important to me about the process of actually being vulnerable and "taking risks" with a real person... Someone who in theory might have some sort of feelings/opinion about me. Using chatgpt as a therapist avoids that aspect of therapy (and for some people, perhaps that's a great starting place!)

I think you’re right there. Both in the importance of being vulnerable in front of a real person and about the fact ChatGPT is always neutral.
This last point though I find is great when you come with an issue that is a complex mess few therapists are equipped to deal with. My own therapist is great. She is a trauma therapist with a background in chronic illness (including my own - ME/POTS). That makes her uniquely placed to support me (others I have seen never got how ME is debilitating fur example). But she knows nothing about autism and issues cropping up,in NT/ASD marriage. AI can just jump around all those different frameworks. And I avoid judgemental comments about ME or me ‘misunderstanding autism’ etc…

Can I ask if any of those AI apps are free (not just for a trial period)?

Yes ChatGPT is free - there is a limit to uploading images and use of the newer models on the free version but the free version is excellent

Gemini (Google) is also free - again there is a paid option but I’ve never used it

The issue with chatgpt is that it can point out patterns and help you unearth things without offering the proper support to help you deal with this and the potential emotional fallout.

I think it's potentially dangerous.

I genuinely credit ChatGPT for rescuing my mental health over the past month and saving me from burnout/breakdown. It has given me many strategies.