Sometimes, when my anxiety flares or my self-esteem dips, the first thing I do is pause and check in with myself, noticing the emotions rising, the tension in my body, and what I might need in that moment. Through my years of training and practice as a counsellor, I’ve learned to reflect and process internally, to listen to what’s happening beneath the surface.
But I completely understand why many people turn to technology, apps, or AI for guidance, reassurance, or a sense of connection. When emotions feel overwhelming, it’s natural to reach for something that feels safe and readily available. And I get it, I really do.
Even though I do not personally turn to AI for emotional support, I can see how it might feel helpful for some, especially when anxiety or low self-esteem makes reaching out to another person feel daunting. Still, it leaves me wondering: can AI truly see you, feel you, or understand you in the way another human can? Can it notice subtle cues, hold space for vulnerability, and respond with empathy that comes from shared human experience?
The Appeal of AI in Mental Health — A Gentle Reflection
There’s no denying that AI has practical uses. It can provide information quickly, suggest exercises, or help me explore ideas for supporting clients. For example, I sometimes use AI to find recent research studies or to explore ways of explaining concepts in therapy.
And if I am honest, I also use it as a bit of a sense check. I’m hopeless with spelling and grammar, and sometimes I second-guess myself when I’m writing. In those moments, AI can be a really helpful tool to make sure what I am saying makes sense and comes across clearly.
Even so, it’s important to remember: AI is a tool, not a presence. It does not listen in the way a person does, notice small shifts in tone or expression, or hold space for vulnerability. While it can complement human support, it cannot replace the nuanced, empathic connection that comes from being truly seen and heard by another person.
When I asked ChatGPT, “Can AI replace human connection with a counsellor?” the response I received was:
“AI can provide support and guidance, but it cannot fully replicate the depth, empathy, and attunement of a trained human counsellor.”
Even the technology seems to recognise the limits of its own reach.
The Limits of AI: Why Human Connection Matters for Anxiety and Self-Esteem
In counselling, much of the work happens in subtle, almost invisible ways. A pause, a shift in posture, a hesitation in speech, these are cues that speak volumes. Years of training and practice allow me to notice these nuances, offer gentle challenges, and provide reflections that help clients explore their thoughts and feelings safely.
Even after a session ends, I continue to reflect. I consider what was shared, what remained unspoken, and how to best support the client’s ongoing journey. This depth of observation and reflection is something AI cannot replicate. It cannot carry holding another person’s emotional experience or offer the empathy that comes from shared human understanding.
Working on self-esteem, managing anxiety, or navigating panic attacks benefits enormously from this human presence. Being truly seen and heard by another person, someone trained to respond with understanding, patience, and insight can be profoundly validating and healing.
Digital Detox for Mental Health: Reconnecting with the Human World
Our increasing reliance on screens has an impact, both mentally and environmentally. Constantly seeking comfort, reassurance, or answers online can intensify anxiety, fuel comparison, and erode self-esteem. Large AI systems also require significant energy to operate, running on extensive server networks that consume vast amounts of electricity. Stepping away from screens, even briefly, can help both your mental health and the planet.
A digital detox does not need to be dramatic. It can be as simple as going for a walk, noticing the breeze on your face, or engaging in a conversation where your full attention is present. These moments reconnect us to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. Grounding experiences that AI cannot replicate.
Finding Balance: Using AI Thoughtfully Alongside Counselling
I want to be clear, AI is not inherently bad. It can support research, offer prompts, and provide initial guidance. But it works best as a complement to, not a replacement for, human connection. Counselling is about being truly seen, heard, and understood. It’s about creating a space where vulnerability is met with empathy, reflection, and insight.
Healing happens in human presence, in the subtlety of a counsellor noticing what is left unsaid, in gentle challenges that encourage self-reflection, and in the compassion that allows clients to feel safe exploring themselves. No AI can replicate this lived, relational experience.
The Power of Being Truly Seen in Counselling
Technology can be a useful companion, but it cannot replace the richness of human connection. The moments when someone truly sees you, notices your struggles, your strengths, your fears are the moments that matter most.
AI can provide support, but human connection transforms it. If you’d like to explore anxiety, self-esteem, or panic in a space where you are truly seen, my door is open. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about counselling or about my practice — I’m always happy to talk through how I can support you.
Sometimes the most healing moments happen not on a screen, but in the presence of another human being and that is where growth, understanding, and real connection begin.