AI Therapy vs. Licensed Therapists: Why the Human Connection Still Matters

You’re up late, spiraling with thoughts you can’t quite name. Maybe you’re not ready to talk to someone face-to-face. Maybe you’re not sure what you’re feeling, or you don’t even know where to begin. So you do what so many have started to do in 2025—you open your phone, and you start sharing your vulnerable thoughts and questions with Chatgpt to use it as AI therapy.

It seems low risk. No appointment. No awkward small talk. No Waiting.

You type in your thoughts, and the AI starts responding in a way that you think a therapist would respond with what seems like empathy and insight. It’s validating… kind of. But also a little eerie. A little too perfect.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. In a world where technology seems to have a solution for everything, more and more people are experimenting with AI therapy apps and mental health chatbots. But that brings up a bigger question: Can an AI therapist actually help you heal?

Let’s explore what’s going on behind the screen, and why the human connection is still irreplaceable.

How Common Is Using an AI for Therapy?

In the last few years, the use of AI therapy tools has exploded. With mental health needs on the rise and a shortage of accessible, affordable providers, tech companies have stepped in with apps and bots that promise 24/7 emotional support.

From TikTok trends to headlines about people “falling in love” with their AI companions, it’s clear that this isn’t just a niche trend. It’s a reflection of a world where real support feels out of reach for too many.

However, while usage is high satisfaction with AI Therapists still leaves much to be desired.

Many users report that while an AI therapist might provide some initial comfort, it lacks depth, nuance, and most importantly emotional safety.

Why Are People Turning to AI Therapists?

It’s not hard to understand the appeal.

• It’s free. This can make AI mental support more attractive to low-income individuals, particularly in BIPOC communities.

   

• It’s available anytime. No waitlists. No schedule coordination. No late fees.

   

• It’s nonjudgmental. You can vent without fear of being truly seen or heard, which may feel beneficial in the moment.

   

• It tells us what we want to hear. Most AI therapist bots are designed to sound empathetic and validating, even when the situation is complex or messy.

   

And for some people, especially those who’ve had negative experiences with real therapists, the idea of turning to a non-human listener can feel safer. You won’t be interrupted. You won’t be dismissed. 

But here’s the catch: AI therapists are trained on large language models. That means they mirror what they’ve read and not what they truly understand. They can sound insightful, but they don’t know you. 

They don’t track your patterns over time. They don’t challenge harmful thinking in meaningful ways. They don’t feel with you. AI models function based on algorithms that have built in biases.  

So while the experience may feel validating in the moment, it’s not a substitute for real healing. 

Are AI Therapists Effective?

Short answer? Not really.

AI therapists can sometimes provide surface-level support like suggesting mindfulness, reflecting back your words, or offering encouraging phrases. However, it cannot do the deeper work that therapy requires.

Real therapy involves understanding history, identifying patterns, working through trauma, and building trust over time. It involves being seen holistically and not just having your words reflected back at you.

And AI simply isn’t equipped to do that.

It’s also not equipped to catch red flags, such as signs of self-harm or suicide. There is currently a lawsuit against an AI company alleging their chatbot encouraged a teenage boy to end his life. A licensed teen therapist would have completed a safety assessment and followed procedures to mitigate the risks of harm.

That’s more than a glitch—it’s dangerous and has led to loss of life.

Plus, AI lacks cultural context. If you’re a BIPOC individual navigating racial trauma, generational wounds, or systemic oppression, a generic AI therapist trained mostly on Western, white-centered data isn’t going to reflect your lived experience accurately or safely.

What we’re really dealing with is the illusion of support. The illusion of care. And while that might hold you for a moment, it doesn’t lead to growth or change.

How Does a Real Therapist Compare to an AI Therapist?

Let’s be clear: real therapists aren’t perfect. But they are trained to sit with discomfort, to hold space for grief, and to ask the kinds of questions that help you connect the dots.

They notice your pauses. They track your tone. They remember what you said three sessions ago and help you see how it connects to today. They bring not just knowledge, but presence.

And presence is what heals.

Unlike an AI therapist, a real therapist can offer:

• Tailored insight based on your unique history and goals.

   

• Culturally-informed care that respects your identity and lived experience.

   

• Boundaries and ethics rooted in clinical training and real-world understanding.

   

• Safety during vulnerable conversations, especially around trauma or crisis.

   

• Real-time empathy. Not simulated. Not programmed. Real.
  
  

• Licensed care. Therapists that have completed credentialed schooling, passed licensure exams, are required to complete continuing education, and are accountable to licensure boards to maintain a licensed status. That all takes real dedication.

And if you’re someone who’s been feeling invisible, unheard, or gaslit by the world around you—that real human connection can be life-changing.

At Melanated Women’s Health, we understand how hard it can be to find a therapist who gets you. That’s why we center the needs of women of color in everything we do—because your healing deserves more than a chatbot. It deserves someone who sees your whole story and honors your voice.

Whether you’re just starting to explore therapy or you’ve been on this path for a while, we’re here to support your journey from a culturally and trauma informed lens.  

Final Thoughts: AI Therapy Can’t Replace What You Truly Deserve

We get it. Talking to an AI therapist might feel more convenient. It might seem easier. It might even feel helpful in small ways.

But healing isn’t about convenience, it’s about connection. It’s about being met, seen, and supported in your full humanity.

You don’t need perfect words or polished answers. You don’t need to pretend you’re okay. You just need someone who can sit with you in it, walk with you through it, and remind you that you’re not alone.

So if you’ve been relying on an AI therapist to get by, know this: you’ve done nothing wrong. You were doing what you could with what you had. But you deserve more.

You deserve real care. Real community. Real healing.

And it’s here for you.

Ready to explore therapy with someone who gets your story? Visit Melanated Women’s Health to get matched with a therapist who honors your identity, listens with compassion, and walks beside you every step of the way.

Because you are not a robot. You are a beautifully complex, feeling, growing human—and you deserve to heal like one.