Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to be constantly in the news – and AI for therapy is popping up in my newsfeed regularly. I’m interested in AI, which for me includes wondering about how it might replace me, a therapist, and what a human therapist can offer that an AI can’t. Thus, this article – what is the difference between an AI and a human therapist?

Firstly, they work in quite different ways:

Human brains are complex and intuitive, capable of understanding subtle emotional cues, body language, and tone. We process emotions through a network of interconnected neurons, and our brains are wired to seek out empathy and understanding from others. When we talk to a person, we typically pick up on not just the words they say, but the energy, intent, and emotional undercurrents behind those words.

AI, on the other hand, works by recognizing patterns in data. While it can be programmed to understand the words we use and even respond with what seems like empathy, it lacks any true emotional awareness. AI doesn’t feel anything—it simply processes information and applies algorithms to predict what response would be ‘best’ based on previous interactions. It can’t read between the lines or intuitively grasp the underlying emotional context of a conversation.

There are a lot of different apps and websites where you can type or talk about what’s going on, and get feedback from an AI. The AI might give you strategies and techniques, and some offer an element of coaching as well. Typically you chat to it, typing or dictating – just like you might already chat to ChatGPT. If you are going to use an AI therapist, do check out the privacy and data collection policies, and maybe do a bit of research first so you know what you are getting into.

Most AI therapists you do have to pay for, but some are free, or are free for a limited period. I had a quick go on three that popped up when I did a google search for AI therapist:

https://www.freeaitherapist.com/ : you can type or dictate about how you are feeling, and the AI Therapist will respond – I tried it briefly, and I found it talked too much! I didn’t feel like it ‘got’ me – or at least not straightaway. But it was an interesting alternative to journalling – a bit like journalling to a person, but in a completely private space.

https://lotustherapist.com/ : this one is CBT based and when I tried it, it quickly asked me about thoughts and behaviours connected to certain feelings. But without paying, it often says it is at ‘maximum capacity’ right now, and you can’t continue.

https://abby.gg/ : this is a paid one – it lets you type/talk about a specific challenge, and after a short time, it gives you a Roadmap – a plan for a structured conversation that will last about an hour. If you want to progress to this conversation, you have to sign up – you get 7 days free, but will have to hand over payment details. I quite like this one, I didn’t progress to the Roadmap, but it was interesting to see its perspective on a useful way to proceed – and that this wasn’t the way I would have instinctively chosen to proceed.

What can a human offer that (for now at least!) an AI can’t?

At the core of any successful therapeutic process is the relationship, the connection between two humans—one with expertise in understanding emotions and the other with the lived experience of pain, hope, and struggle. And this is where true healing happens. When we are listened to with empathy and without judgment, our nervous systems settle, and we can begin to make sense of our inner turmoil.

A human therapist doesn’t just apply techniques; they engage with us as real people, seeing beyond our symptoms to the emotional landscape that shapes our experience. This authentic connection is the foundation for personal growth, creating a space where we feel safe to explore difficult feelings and change patterns that have been holding us back.

One of the most unique aspects of working with a human therapist is the opportunity for “rupture and repair”. A rupture is a misunderstanding, a missed connection, or even a mistake. It could be something as simple as a therapist misreading your emotions or responding in a way that doesn’t resonate with you.

In a healthy therapeutic relationship, these ruptures are not signs of failure but opportunities. The process of repair—whether through discussing what went wrong, expressing hurt feelings, or clarifying misunderstandings—allows you to practice vulnerability, assertiveness, and emotional resilience. It’s in these moments that you get to see how to restore trust, rebuild connection, and navigate the complexities of human relationships. In fact, these moments of rupture and repair often mirror real-life, offering a safe space to learn more about how we manage our relationships, and to practice skills for outside the therapy room.

I asked ChatGPT (the free version) what it thought:

While AI may continue to play a role in mental health support, it’s clear that human therapists bring something irreplaceable to the table: empathy, authenticity, and the ability to form real, relational bonds. Therapy isn’t just about learning skills; it’s about transforming your relationship with yourself and others, which can only happen in a space where mistakes are made, repaired, and learned from.

Human therapists aren’t perfect, but that imperfection is where the magic happens. It’s in the messy, imperfect moments that we practice how to handle real-life conflicts, emotional challenges, and interpersonal growth. The relationship itself is the healing process.

If you’re looking for a therapeutic experience that can truly transform your life, a human counsellor is the one who can walk with you through the complexities of your emotional world, offering not just strategies, but understanding, growth, and most importantly—connection.