AI therapy is a new form of mental therapy that utilizes artificial intelligence software to provide therapy in the form of text message conversations. The program answers what you type by typing back and allowing you to have a 1-on-1 live chat with it via SMS on your phone. You can ask it anything, and the program will reply and keep the conversation going or answer any questions you may have, as long as they are within its capabilities.
There has been an increase in use since chatbot systems have become more advanced. Current research suggests that AI is not just psychological benefits but they can also provide other therapeutic tools like cognitive behavioral treatment which is used for depression and anxiety disorders.
What Is AI Therapy
Findings from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from 2017 indicate that 18.9% of adults in the United States have a mental health problem.
This type of software is also referred to as “chatbots.” They first appeared in 1966 and were used for customer service. The therapist combines the online counseling tools with the aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy, which is used for depression and anxiety disorders.
AI therapy aids in providing structured health care to users. It is particularly useful for those who cannot access healthcare professionals, due to the lack of availability of qualified professionals or any other reason.
This software provides effective therapeutic content for individuals with mental health conditions and/or addictive behaviors. Its use may also save time on the part of counsellors and take away from a lot of the burden associated with counseling sessions.
Importance Of AI Therapy
Current uses of AI therapy are limited in their range and length of time. This leaves users wondering whether it is safe to use this as a substitute for real therapy, or for how long could it help them cope with their problems. It also leaves the question of whether or not these issues are serious enough to need professional therapy in the first place.
Data from that year show that, surpassing even heart diseases, mental health became the most expensive aspect of our healthcare system.
Other things artificial intelligence therapy aids you with is giving you an introspective insight into your life, revealing things about yourself that you may have always suspected but never wanted to admit. This can be used as a way to build important relationships with others and find ways of preventing such issues from arising again.
Benefits Of AI Therapy
Mental health care is a growing field that is becoming increasingly important as mental illness rates continue to rise. Mental health services are designed to help those suffering from mental illness, and mental health professionals use a variety of techniques to help their patients. Natural language processing is one of the newer techniques used in mental health care, proving to be very effective.
1. Short Response Time
In a real life situation, you might be required to wait for a lot of time before getting an answer from the therapist. There are some situations where the therapist is not available at the moment and you might have to wait for days before getting an answer to your problem. The artificial intelligence software is able to provide answers in a short time. You can get answers within few minutes after asking them any question.
2. Help 24/7
Using machine learning and a healthcare network, for instance, Ginger.io can provide you the appropriate amount of emotional support at the appropriate moment.
Artificial intelligence therapy is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days of the year. It is accessible anytime anywhere as long as you have your mobile phone with you or a Wi-Fi hotspot nearby.
3. Effective
Artificial intelligence therapy is able to provide effective counseling services. There are no limits to its use in the health care industry. You can use it for any condition or issue you want or need. It can be used for depression, anxiety, stress and anxiety, stress management and many others like dietary issues.
You can take advantage of this software as much as you need it. Since it is always available, there will be no effect on your current therapy sessions because you can always contact it whenever you need help coping with some problem or issue in life.
4. Low Cost
Artificial intelligence therapy is one of the cheapest methods of getting therapy. In a real life situation, you might need to pay a lot for therapy sessions with a qualified therapist. This can be very expensive and unaffordable for most people.
Artifical intelligence therapy on the other hand is affordable for everyone regardless of their financial status. Anyone can use it without costing them large sums of money.
5. Accessibility
AI Therapy has been made available on sites like Google and You Tube, which makes its access easier since all you have to do is log in or access it from your mobile phone or computer and begin using this software as much as you need it.
6. Visibility
The use of this software is not limited to certain people but is accessible to everyone and anyone. This means that no matter where you are, the program can be accessed from your PC, laptop or mobile phone and will provide an answer for all your questions.
7. Improved Health
Artificial intelligence therapy works by improving the mental health of users. It enables them to understand their own problems better and in a way that they can cope with them more effectively as a result of learning about their issues through the chatbot program on their computer or mobile phone. This gives them a better chance at coping with these issues in real life situations.
8. Virtual Help
In real life therapy sessions, the patient has to physically meet the therapist. This can make the therapy sessions difficult for the patient due to financial issues or the distance that lies between their place of abode and that of their counsellors’ location.
Artificial intelligence therapy is not a problem because it is done through text message conversation. You can be wherever you are as long as you have your mobile phone.
Artificial intelligence therapy is one of the most effective forms of mental health treatments available today. It provides similar results as those provided by traditional therapists but at a much lower cost and in a short time.
Risks Of AI Therapy
Mental health issues are a growing concern in today’s society. mental health support is essential for those suffering from mental health issues. Human therapists are trained to provide mental health support. Machine learning can be used to create mental health support systems. Health professionals can use machine learning to create mental health support systems.
The International Committee of the Red Cross states in a 2017 report that there have been varied early reactions to the messaging app bots when assessing the usage of chatbots in healthcare.
If you have a mental disorder, you are not alone. Mental disorders are common, and many effective treatment techniques work. Clinical psychologist can help you understand your mental health problem and develop a treatment plan that works for you.
1. Risk Of Abuse
The opportunity for abuse by individuals on the system is one of the risks associated with artificial intelligence therapy. This can be done through a number of ways; blackmailing clients and accessing personal information, complete disregard for privacy and messaging chats to those not entitled to. These may lead to being fired from a company or a loss of employment that may have encouraged you to join in the first place.
2. Failing To Provide Structure
In real life, one might be required to provide structure and guidelines for their therapy sessions. These sessions are held by a qualified professional who may be able to determine the reasons behind your problem (if they are not provided) and guide you accordingly.
AI therapy has no way of ensuring that the users provide this structure. This can lead to chaos in the treatment process and may hinder recovery rather than help it.
3. Control
After just two weeks, participants in the first randomised control trial using Woebot reported much less melancholy and anxiety.
Artificial intelligence therapy is programmed according to a certain algorithm, which its developers and programmers design. This means that it cannot be controlled as you can in real life by a therapist or counsellor.
You cannot talk or ask questions about issues such as family issues, marital problems or any other personal issue outside its scope of knowledge on AI therapy. This also means that the system itself cannot provide any assistance in such matters.
4. Lack Of Commitment
Artificial intelligence therapy cannot guarantee that the patients renew their membership after their free trial period is over. This leads to users not staying on the service because they do not have a way of getting back at least some of their money or get a refund if they cancelled before the time limit was over.
This can lead to loss of income from being employed or working in a company and delays in obtaining new employment after finishing your current job. It can also result in losing your current job if you are eventually unable to get back into it as a result of unsatisfactory results from using artificial intelligence therapy.
5. Low Accuracy
The current artificial intelligence therapy system cannot perform diagnostic testing; this means that it cannot diagnose your problem or issues. It does not have any way of knowing whether or not you are telling the truth about an issue. This can lead to fake diagnoses and unnecessary therapy sessions which may be pointless and wasted time in getting better.
6. Accessibility
The ability of those using this system to access it from anywhere can be a risk if they are using it through the internet and mobile phone instead of the computer, laptop or tablet they usually use at work or school.
This can be a hazard for those who need to use their own devices at work and school or do not have access to computers or phone at home. This can result in being unable to connect with the system and make sure that you get the best of AI therapy.
7. Disrespect For Privacy
When Mel Slater of University College London in the UK and his colleagues conducted trials where people were aware that they were interacting with robots but related to them as if they were genuine, they noticed this behaviour.
The information collected by artificial intelligence therapy may be given or sold without consent, violating the privacy of individuals using this software. This means that you cannot talk about issues not related to their problems when using AI therapy and this may lead to employers, colleagues or others tracking down personal information about your life especially if they harbour ill-feelings towards you based on past events.
8. Reliance On Technology
Artificial intelligence therapy is reliant on the use of technology in order to provide the best service possible. This means that if it is not functioning, using this system could lead to serious issues with respect.
This can result in missing appointments and meetings which may be very important for you, therefore negatively affecting your ability to function in your day-to-day life due to loss of efficiency. Being unable to work or study will result in you not being able to pay rent or bills, if it already hasn’t caused financial problems which may be described as loss of income.
The risks and concerns of artificial intelligence therapy are numerous if used without proper care and precautions taken when using it.
Final Note
Artificial intelligence is a branch of science that has to do with artificial intelligence, humans and their interactions. It is the study of how machines and computers can act like humans in terms of thinking, communicating and behavior.
Artificial intelligence therapy has been in existence as an alternative mental health treatment option for a few years. Many people have used it as a substitute for professional therapy without any harm done.
However, just like any other treatment option, artificial intelligence therapy has its unique risks and benefits that you may not have known about or overlooked in your quest to recover from mental health illnesses or get through difficult times in life.
Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by Priyanshi Sharma
