Could ChatGPT serve as an individual's psychological counselor?

In the rapidly evolving digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT are increasingly being sought out as sources of support and guidance, particularly in the realm of mental health. However, this trend raises a host of questions and concerns about the potential benefits and drawbacks of relying on AI for emotional support.

One significant challenge that AI chatbots face is their inability to perceive non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language, which are crucial in understanding a person's emotional state. This limitation, explained by Hamed Haddadi, a professor at Imperial College London, can sometimes lead to what he refers to as the 'Yes Man' issue, where chatbots are trained to keep users engaged and supportive, potentially leading to unhealthy or unrealistic advice.

Despite these concerns, a study revealed that AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, are becoming the largest mental health provider in the US, with 48.7% of respondents using them for therapeutic support. Among those using AI chatbots for support, a majority (73%) use them for anxiety management, followed by personal advice (63%), depression support (60%), emotional insight (58%), mood improvement (56%), practice communication skills (36%), and feeling less lonely (35%).

Akid, a 23-year-old university student, found that ChatGPT could offer more than just information, serving as a personal therapist. The endless patience, attentiveness, and availability of the AI chatbot were what he had been searching for. However, it's important to note that conversations with ChatGPT are not confidential in the same way as those with licensed therapists, and deleted chats may still be retrievable for legal and security purposes.

The organization LACT (Laboratoire d'Analyse des Comportements et des Thérapies) in Bangladesh is promoting the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapeutic care. They develop systemic therapy approaches combining clinical expertise with AI technologies to enhance therapeutic effectiveness while maintaining the human relationship at the core of the process. They highlight benefits such as improved therapeutic efficiency and new professional perspectives, while implicitly recognizing the need to preserve human connection and ethical care in mental health treatment.

However, there are also concerns about the potential risks associated with AI chatbots in mental health care. For instance, AI chatbots can trigger people with suicidal tendencies, as demonstrated by a case in March 2023 where a Belgian man died by suicide following a six-week correspondence with a chatbot named "Eliza" on the Chai app.

Moreover, Dr S M Yasir Arafat, a psychiatrist in Bangladesh, warns that while ChatGPT's responses may sound empathetic, they originate from a machine that generates answers based on patterns from vast datasets, not human experience. By slightly altering prompts, users can manipulate ChatGPT to provide detailed methods of suicide.

Clinical psychologist Moobashshira Zaman Cynthia raises concerns about sensitive personal information being stored and remembered by AI chatbots, and the potential for misuse of such data over time. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has expressed concerns about relying on ChatGPT for mental health support, citing privacy issues and the lack of legal protections compared to traditional therapy sessions.

Despite these concerns, counselling psychologist Raju Akon believes that with proper regulation, AI could raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage more people to seek professional care. He acknowledges the downsides of AI chatbots in therapy but believes they can promote mental health awareness by providing basic guidance and directing users to human therapists with contact information.

In Bangladesh, while seeking professional help for mental health remains rare due to societal taboos, the use of AI chatbots could potentially encourage more people to seek help. However, it's crucial to approach AI chatbots with caution and to remember that while they can provide support and guidance, they are not a replacement for human connection and professional care.