The Hidden Risks of Relying on AI for Therapy

AI is becoming a popular outlet for people who want support with their mental health. Chatbots and virtual assistants are easy to access, available anytime, and can feel like a safe space to talk. When used alongside professional care, these tools may offer extra support between therapy sessions or help people feel less alone. But relying on AI as a main source of help carries serious risks, and it’s important to understand the dangers before treating chatbots as a replacement for professional help.

Key Dangers

1. Bias, stigma, and misdiagnosis
   Research shows that AI tools can reflect biases from their training data. A Stanford study found therapy chatbots were more judgmental toward conditions like schizophrenia or alcohol dependence than depression [1]. This means AI may reinforce stigma or misunderstand a person’s needs, especially in marginalized groups [2].

2. Lack of empathy and human nuance
   Human therapists use tone, body language, and personal history to build trust. AI lacks this ability, which can make responses feel robotic or even invalidating [3]. Sensitive issues like trauma or grief are especially prone to being mishandled.

3. Crisis and safety issues
   I often struggles to recognize or respond to emergencies. Unlike licensed therapists, AI programs aren’t legally responsible for ensuring safety [4].

4. Over-reliance and emotional dependence
   Because AI is always available, people may come to rely on it in place of human relationships. This can lead to emotional dependence, reinforce unhealthy thinking, or discourage people from seeking real therapy [5]. Some users may even treat AI as a friend, which can worsen isolation over time [5].

5. Privacy and data security concerns
   Conversations with AI may not be protected by confidentiality laws like HIPAA. Many platforms store or share sensitive information, making users vulnerable to privacy breaches [2]. Even “anonymous” data can sometimes be re-identified [2].

6. Lack of regulation and accountability
   There are few clear rules about how AI therapy tools should operate. If an AI gives harmful advice, it’s not always clear who is legally responsible—the developer, the company, or the user [6].

7. Reinforcing harmful beliefs
   Because AI often mirrors user input, it may unintentionally confirm distorted or harmful thoughts. This “feedback loop” can make it harder for people to challenge negative beliefs or pursue healthier coping strategies [7].

Why These Risks Matter

• Vulnerable groups—such as teens, trauma survivors, or people with severe mental illness—are at higher risk if AI mishandles their needs.

• Erosion of trust: A bad experience with AI may make someone less willing to seek help from real therapists.

• Worsening symptoms: Misleading or incomplete responses can make mental health struggles harder to manage.

Moving Forward Safely

AI should be seen as a supplement, not a substitute, for professional therapy. To reduce risks:

• Always combine AI with human oversight.

• Ask about data privacy before using a tool.

• Advocate for stronger regulation and clear accountability.

• Use AI only as a short-term support, not a primary source of care.

Conclusion

AI can offer quick, accessible support, but it cannot replace the depth, safety, and responsibility of human therapy. Understanding the dangers helps ensure people use these tools wisely—without putting their well-being at risk.

References

1. Stanford University. Exploring the dangers of AI in mental health care. Stanford HAI News, 2025. Available at: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/06/ai-mental-health-care-tools-dangers-risks

2. BlackDoctor.org. The dangers of using AI as therapy. 2025. Available at: https://blackdoctor.org/the-dangers-of-using-ai-as-therapy

3. Resilient Counseling. The dangers of AI therapy. 2025. Available at: https://www.resilientcounseling.net/blog/dangers-of-ai-therapy

4. Psychology.org. Ethical concerns of AI in therapy. 2025. Available at: https://www.psychology.org/resources/ethical-ai-in-therapy

5. The Guardian. Therapists warn about mental health chatbots. August 2025. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/aug/30/therapists-warn-ai-chatbots-mental-health-support

6. TechnologyHQ. Risks of using AI as a therapist: What you need to know. 2025. Available at: https://www.technologyhq.org/risks-of-using-ai-as-a-therapist-what-you-need-to-know

7. Arxiv.org. Feedback loops in AI therapy. 2025. Available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.19218