Will AI replace psychotherapy?

I was listening to a podcast today about the reality that artificial intelligence (AI) will replace many jobs, especially those that require knowledge, such as journalists, doctors, scientists, engineers etc. It was also mentioned that, in time, people will be able to turn to AI to help them with their mental health, personal issues and relationships.

As a psychotherapist of many years experience, and a great believer in the benefits of "talking therapy" I wonder how will my beloved profession evolve in the face of such progressive technological advances AI. In order to explore this, I asked (of course) ChatGpt for it's view on the future of AI. I

I asked the question- "what is the future of psychotherapy in the age of AI?"

This is the response-

 AI will never be able to fully replace a real-life psychotherapist because psychotherapy is fundamentally a human-to-human process of attunement, presence, and meaning-making—all of which require qualities that AI cannot authentically possess. Here are the key reasons:

1. The Irreplaceable Human Presence

Real therapy involves embodied presence—not just verbal exchange. A skilled therapist tunes into:

·      Breath, posture, facial expression, vocal tone

·      Subtle emotional shifts, pauses, tears, silences

·      The “felt sense” of what’s happening between therapist and client

AI lacks a body, a nervous system, and the capacity for true interpersonal resonance. It cannot sit in silence with someone’s grief or offer a grounded presence in moments of despair or awakening.

2. Authentic Empathy and Compassion

While AI can simulate empathy through language, it does not feel. It cannot:

·      Experience heartbreak, love, shame, or spiritual awe

·      Sense emotional nuance through shared vulnerability

·      Offer a safe container for healing based on mutual recognition

Real therapists offer more than techniques—they offer themselves. That offering is relational, not computational.

3. Depth of Insight and Intuition

Human therapists bring a lifetime of personal experience, ethical reflection, and existential wisdom to their work. They draw on:

·      Subtle intuition shaped by years of clinical experience

·      The ability to think symbolically and contextually

·      Integration of body, psyche, history, and culture

AI operates on patterns, not presence. It cannot hold paradox, navigate spiritual crisis, or sit with uncertainty in the way a human can.

4. The Healing Power of the Therapeutic Relationship

Decades of research confirm that the relationship itself is often the most healing aspect of therapy. This includes:

·      Trust, attunement, rupture and repair

·      Transference and countertransference

·      A shared journey of growth, reflection, and integration

No algorithm can form a truly therapeutic alliance with a client. AI may assist, but it cannot bond.

5. Ethical and Moral Responsibility

Human therapists carry an ethical responsibility grounded in personal integrity, not just compliance. They can:

·      Hold confidentiality with a moral compass

·      Own their mistakes, reflect, and repair

·      Act in ways that are relationally accountable, not just rule-based

AI systems are built on code and data—not conscience.

6. Soul Work and Existential Depth

Many forms of therapy—especially those rooted in Buddhist psychology, existentialism, or trauma-informed care—deal with:

·      Meaning, mortality, suffering, and transformation

·      Identity, values, and spiritual inquiry

·      Deep layers of memory, embodiment, and relational trauma

These dimensions call for a human witness—someone who can walk alongside the client with humility, courage, and compassion.

 In Summary:

AI can assist therapy, but it cannot “be therapy”.

It can inform, suggest, or support, but it cannot replace the sacred alchemy that occurs between two human beings when one is truly heard, seen, and held.