Empathy and human connection are the cornerstone to effective therapy. ChatGPT can’t offer either, no matter how convincing it seems.
By: Ally Nickerson
ChatGPT has become a growing software globally with 800 million users weekly, as of May 2025, and 45% of those users being under the age of 25. In just 5 days after the software launched, it had seen 1 million users. While there is limited research on how people specifically engage with the chatbot, there is a noticeable trend in younger users turning to ChatGPT for mental health support.
This trend is understandable, considering the rising cost of living, limited access to affordable therapy, long waitlists for mental health services and the ease of anonymously texting the chatbot at any time. For those who are struggling, especially without support systems or financial resources, ChatGPT seems like a convenient and low-pressure option for mental health support.
But here’s the truth: Convenience does not mean care. And ChatGPT doesn’t care.
AI chatbots like ChatGPT were not designed to heal. In order to keep users engaged they were built to generate human-like responses, mimicking empathy, warmth, and understanding through tone and language. This can create the illusion of connection. But that illusion can be misleading when it becomes a replacement for professional help.
ChatGPT is not a therapist. It cannot diagnose, treat, or walk with you through the discomfort that real healing requires. Human connection, a trusting relationship with a trained therapist, is what fosters true growth, and lasting healing.
There are apps like Headspace, and Calm, that can be great tools for mental health coping strategies alongside therapy. They offer guided meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices that can help manage stress and anxiety. Similarly, you might use ChatGPT or AI as a tool to journal your thoughts, organize questions for your therapist, or summarize mental health research (like Dr. Sue Johnson’s work on attachment theory), but real healing requires human connection, and therapeutic expertise. It cannot replace the consistent, empathetic, and safe presence that therapy offers.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, ChatGPT is not the answer to long-term healing.
You deserve support that actually cares.
At Grow Well Counselling, our therapists have spent years in study and practice and are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care. An important aspect of therapy is the preparation, consultation, and professional development that therapists focus on behind-the-scenes, in order to align treatment with clients goals, strengths, and challenges. These tailored interventions, and the unseen work that is put in specifically for clients, is what promotes meaningful and lasting change. In addition to our licensed clinicians, we also have several graduate-level therapy interns on staff who are closely supervised by a fully licensed therapist. Our interns all share a deep passion for supporting clients, and creating a safe space built on trust, support, and empathy. To help make therapy more accessible, we offer a reduced rate of $50 per session with our interns.
To book an intake session, a FREE 15 minute consultation session, or to learn more about how we can help, reach out to the office today at 902-812-1717, or by email at office@growwellcounselling.ca or check out our team of therapists at growwellcounselling.ca
Sources
Duarte, F. (2025) Number of CHATGPT users (June 2025), Exploding Topics. Available at: https://explodingtopics.com/blog/chatgpt-users (Accessed: 16 July 2025).