In a recent article by The Independent, troubling cases were reported of individuals experiencing emotional harm—ranging from mania to psychosis—after using AI chatbots like ChatGPT for mental health support. As a clinical psychologist and CBT therapist, I find this both unsurprising and deeply concerning.

Language models are trained to predict and generate plausible human-like text, but they lack emotional awareness, context sensitivity, and professional accountability. While AI can mimic empathy, it does not truly understand your feelings, nor can it offer a structured, evidence-based path to recovery. In clinical practice, I have already begun to see the fallout—individuals who turned to AI for help but found themselves more confused, isolated, or distressed as a result.

Therapeutic relationships are at the heart of psychological healing. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), for example, is not simply a set of techniques. It’s a collaborative, goal-focused intervention grounded in clinical theory and tailored to your individual life history, cognitive patterns, and emotional challenges. No chatbot can replicate the nuance of a trained therapist helping you unpack trauma, regulate anxiety, or challenge long-standing thinking traps.

There is also the issue of safety. When someone discloses suicidal thoughts or psychotic symptoms to an AI, the bot may respond with generic reassurance or unhelpful factual information—sometimes switching from emotional support to trivial facts about bridges or recipes. This emotional incoherence is not just unhelpful—it can be deeply unsettling for someone in distress.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts, or emotional dysregulation, I urge you to seek support from a qualified professional. I offer face-to-face CBT therapy rooted in clinical evidence and guided by your unique needs—not an algorithm. Our sessions provide a safe, structured space to explore your difficulties, develop insight, and build real-life coping strategies that AI simply cannot provide.

Technology has its place—but when it comes to your mental health, nothing replaces the human mind in contact with another. If you are looking for meaningful, lasting change, I welcome you to get in touch.

Dr Marzio Ascione
Consultant Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist