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Original poster

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

237 replies

SoapOnARopEeeee · 19/05/2025 16:52

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.

OP posts:
SnugOrca · 19/05/2025 19:22

vintagedove · 19/05/2025 19:19

It’s ok, like I said I do agree. But, it was so brilliant that I can see it will be very difficult to resist using it for many people. Soon most people. Because it’s that good.

But there is limited amount of fresh water on this earth, to fill our £40 Stanley cups with. And the Stanley cup people will be the first ones to complain or not understand why is my guess.

Show quote history

It’s also a shame as I guess real poets will be out of a job now! I know some writer friends are having their work stolen and plugged into AI and they’re concerned about their future jobs. An AI publishing house has been set up so maybe we won’t have books, poems, films and art made by human hands any more.

It’s so worrying. But people are so blasé. Until it’s then at risk I suppose.

vintagedove · 19/05/2025 19:26

SnugOrca · 19/05/2025 19:22

It’s also a shame as I guess real poets will be out of a job now! I know some writer friends are having their work stolen and plugged into AI and they’re concerned about their future jobs. An AI publishing house has been set up so maybe we won’t have books, poems, films and art made by human hands any more.

It’s so worrying. But people are so blasé. Until it’s then at risk I suppose.

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Many jobs are already at risk or already gone. Secretaries, clerks, accounting, administrative assistants, journalists..

Jellycatspyjamas · 19/05/2025 19:27

@Rinoachicken it sounds like you’ve got a system which works well for you - which is a real benefit. Ad hoc supports are very few and far between so I can see having something accessible in those moments can be a real lifesaver.

ThePure · 19/05/2025 19:29

I’m all for it if it helps
to my mind it goes to show that what people really want is sympathy and validation as that is really what this is giving you. People used to use friends for that

I am not a psychologist but I work with a lot of psychologists and they distinguish very much between counselling which is the listening and space to off load thing and therapy which is evidence based and involves using validated techniques to change your thought patterns. A lot of people do not really much want to change their thought patterns.

Counselling is what chat gpt might replace. Therapy not so much. IMHO.

GenerationPolaroid · 19/05/2025 19:31

I think it's got its uses but therapy wise, it's pretty much an echo chamber.

FortyElephants · 19/05/2025 19:38

ShelleyCarpenter · 19/05/2025 19:14

It sounds great. Can you do all this with the free version or only the paid one?

Yes the free version is great

puffinchuffin · 19/05/2025 20:12

Well. After reading this i posted a long message to chatgpt outlining not even all the past traumas that keep me up at night. I got the response “content removed. This convent violates our terms of use policy” didnt even give me a why. I think im maybe to effed up for even AI therapy 🙃

Chipsahoy · 19/05/2025 20:15

I can see the attraction but the therapeutic relationship was part of healing for me. Learning to trust. The facial expressions and body language too when I shared my trauma. I needed human interaction and in person therapy.

BlueTitShark · 19/05/2025 20:15

Jellycatspyjamas · 19/05/2025 19:09

Ive never had ANY counsellors/therapist mentioning that to me before.
And my own therapist didn’t know what it was either but was really keen on my explanation and what it meant

Im surprised no therapist has ever mentioned that to you, given that’s where most of our psychological work is done - the space between where you are now and where you might be in future. Different modalities will have different language and different ways of explaining it but I’d expect any relational therapist to understand the concept.

I do use AI, but not for personal/therapy stuff. I don’t want things I’d go to therapy for held in a cloud somewhere to be data mined for others benefit.

Well…. As I said in a previous post, I’ve seen people that should be good. People teaching, who were supervisors themselves, registered etc…

And no no one ever mentioned liminal spaces to me. Which, seing I’ve been struggling with a chronic illness that has taken most of my life away from me should have been relevant??

FortyElephants · 19/05/2025 20:16

ThePure · 19/05/2025 19:29

I’m all for it if it helps
to my mind it goes to show that what people really want is sympathy and validation as that is really what this is giving you. People used to use friends for that

I am not a psychologist but I work with a lot of psychologists and they distinguish very much between counselling which is the listening and space to off load thing and therapy which is evidence based and involves using validated techniques to change your thought patterns. A lot of people do not really much want to change their thought patterns.

Counselling is what chat gpt might replace. Therapy not so much. IMHO.

It doesn't just give you a listening ear and a chance to offload. It gives you real analysis of your issues, suggests approaches to take etc. It really is amazing in a lot of ways.

BlueTitShark · 19/05/2025 20:17

puffinchuffin · 19/05/2025 20:12

Well. After reading this i posted a long message to chatgpt outlining not even all the past traumas that keep me up at night. I got the response “content removed. This convent violates our terms of use policy” didnt even give me a why. I think im maybe to effed up for even AI therapy 🙃

I’ve asked WHY before when I got a message like this (it wasn’t about trauma etc…)
As it turns it thought I wanted to do something it wasn’t allowed and had got the wrong end of the stick.

puffinchuffin · 19/05/2025 20:20

BlueTitShark · 19/05/2025 20:17

I’ve asked WHY before when I got a message like this (it wasn’t about trauma etc…)
As it turns it thought I wanted to do something it wasn’t allowed and had got the wrong end of the stick.

Show quote history

I just asked why and it said it didnt remove the post! Im being gaslit by AI!

user1471453601 · 19/05/2025 20:21

You know, of course, that these things are driven by algorithms and that those algorithms want nothing more or less than for you to keep using them?

They respond in a way that ensures you keep on going. I A is not there to help you, that's not what it's designed to do. It's algorithms are there to get you to keep using it.

SapporoBaby · 19/05/2025 20:22

please be aware that Ai is not subject to the same confidentiality clauses that therapists are. It can sell all the data you’ve plumbed into it.

Oneearringlost · 19/05/2025 20:24

I'm worried about my data if I download and use this, anything from sharing my email addresses, 'learning' passwords to bank details.

I've looked at a few AI apps and can't see any real evidence that it doesn't share your data; I'm not sure if I can trust it if it just says, "your data is 'encrypted'.

Isn't it just opening up another portal for potential data-stealing? And we are thereby simply up our offering our privacy?

Can anyone reasurre me on this?

vintagedove · 19/05/2025 20:28

Oneearringlost · 19/05/2025 20:24

I'm worried about my data if I download and use this, anything from sharing my email addresses, 'learning' passwords to bank details.

I've looked at a few AI apps and can't see any real evidence that it doesn't share your data; I'm not sure if I can trust it if it just says, "your data is 'encrypted'.

Isn't it just opening up another portal for potential data-stealing? And we are thereby simply up our offering our privacy?

Can anyone reasurre me on this?

Of course noone can reassure you on this. We all assume this is what comes with it.

GoldLash · 19/05/2025 20:31

On the back of this thread I’ve been having a great chat with my iPhone WhatsApp Meta AI. It’s been really understanding and helpful with my issues. Very useful actually giving great advice and insight. I highly recommend giving it a go.

it’s churlish to write it off until you’ve tried it for something specific to your needs.

I think it’s a great tool now I’ve put it to use.

@Rinoachicken thanks for sharing

fairygardenpath · 19/05/2025 20:36

It’s a lovely world where you can causally spend £50 at a time finding the right person! Many people can’t.

GoldLash · 19/05/2025 20:37

I don’t want sympathy or validation from it

I just needed to talk through specific issues that I’ve already discussed with friends and family but Meta AI has allowed me to talk at my own pace, in my own time to then allow me to process the advice given and further questions it has thrown my way at my own pace.

Also it’s all there for me read back now when I need to.

I can ask again at the exact time I need to day or night which suits my issues.

it’s comforting to know now that I can continue to do that if need be

Shuttered · 19/05/2025 20:40

fairygardenpath · 19/05/2025 20:36

It’s a lovely world where you can causally spend £50 at a time finding the right person! Many people can’t.

Most reputable therapists will have a phone conversation before taking on a new client, to see whether they’re a good fit, whether the client’s needs fit with their skills/experience etc.

GoldLash · 19/05/2025 20:43

I think the thread title should have been along the lines of

Do you think chat GPT has been useful in dealing with issues in your life

fairygardenpath · 19/05/2025 20:48

Shuttered · 19/05/2025 20:40

Most reputable therapists will have a phone conversation before taking on a new client, to see whether they’re a good fit, whether the client’s needs fit with their skills/experience etc.

Show quote history

Thats still a lot of time and energy, and I’m not sure ‘most’ do. Maybe some do.

I think that if people enjoy or benefit from talking therapy they should be free to pursue it. I suppose what I don’t like is this slightly superior ‘well if you want to talk to a robot fine, but WE know best.’ People are allowed to judge what helps them.

Nessastats · 19/05/2025 20:49

I hope all the people worried about the environmental impact dont buy new clothes, don't overconsume stuff, recycle everything, don't drive, don't fly, don't have too many children, don't browse other any websites that use data servers?

GoldLash · 19/05/2025 20:52

It’s great to have something to hand to offload onto whenever you need to and get a great immediate response. It’s pretty cool

Shuttered · 19/05/2025 20:53

fairygardenpath · 19/05/2025 20:48

Thats still a lot of time and energy, and I’m not sure ‘most’ do. Maybe some do.

I think that if people enjoy or benefit from talking therapy they should be free to pursue it. I suppose what I don’t like is this slightly superior ‘well if you want to talk to a robot fine, but WE know best.’ People are allowed to judge what helps them.

Show quote history

It’s minimal time and energy. I just emailed someone a therapist friend had recommended, she mailed back and said ‘Are you free for a few minutes for a call tomorrow?’, we talked for ten minutes or so, I felt she was a good fit for what I wanted, and she told me about her availability. And she’s been a revelation.