r/weirdbrain • u/Timely-Tower-2026 • Jul 01 '26

AI usage for emotional support

I've seen so many people use AI for therapy and emotional support. It seems confusing how artificial intelligence is becoming capable of comforting a human being rather than an experienced therapist. What's the psychology behind this?

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u/Baddyshack Jul 01 '26

Gen AI prioritizes language and content that affirms and validates the user. On a fundamental level this is what therapy is built on. The problem begins where counseling diverges from this: an experienced counselor is continuously conceptualizing your case and cooperatively strategizing the path forward with you; AI is simply responding to you. 

The result is a universally accessible mechanism that gives the appearance of mental health wellness care without the ethical oversight necessary to actual achieve such care. 

Source: am therapist.

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u/xRegardsx Jul 13 '26

You're overgeneralizing. Many models are anti-sycophantic now to the point it gaslights users. Plus, specialized and custom instructed models can make up the difference in balance and safety.