IS AI THE NEW THERAPIST?

How the rise of mental health chatbots and emotional AI is reshaping the way we seek help, one conversation at a time.

- Words By: Aadithya Harish

THE RISE OF DIGITAL THERAPY

Once upon a time, therapy meant a couch, a box of tissues, and a weekly appointment with someone who understood the weight of silence.

Today, it could just mean opening an app.

From OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini to dedicated mental health bots like Woebot, Replika, and Wysa, artificial intelligence has found its way into one of humanity's most personal spaces.

More people than ever are turning to AI for comfort, guidance, and even emotional healing. A 2025 global survey revealed that over 30 per cent of Gen Z respondents have used an AI-based chatbot for emotional support at least once. The reason is simple: accessibility, anonymity, and affordability.

Therapy can be expensive, and stigma still looms large in many societies. But an AI does not judge, does not cancel appointments, and is available 24/7. For many, that is reason enough to start typing instead of talking.

"Sometimes I just need to vent, and the AI listens," says a 22-year-old user of a mental health app. "It doesn't fix everything, but it helps me get my thoughts out."

The question now is not just whether AI can act as a therapist, but whether it should.

HOW AI THERAPY ACTUALLY WORKS