I’m hearing people are turning to ChatGPT and other platforms to source their support, I wanted to write a few thoughts I have around this subject. 

Firstly, I do think we might question the terminology. It is artificial or just really super fast processing, drawing on all the data that has been added to the internet space over the last several decades. As far as it being intelligent, that somehow has some super power, I believe to be a misnomer. As it fails to include the vast wealth of intelligence that as humans we possess that goes far beyond information collection.

An important aspect to therapy is the therapeutic alliance. The collaborative, trusting relationship between therapist and client. When there has been disrupt to trust within an individuals life, often from those that should have been the most trustworthy, development of this alliance with a therapist can play a major part in healing. Where there is shame, maybe carried for many years, a big part of such healing is often found in telling the shame story within a confidential, safe therapeutic space. To me, this healing, the deeper work, is possible when we engage human to human. 

A large part of my work is helping to normalise conversations around sex and sexuality. Conversations that are respectful, shame free and empowering within this area are largely lacking within our society. While we engage face to screen, I fail to see how the normalisation of these conversations will happen.

As someone who has engaged with my own therapy, I am all too aware of the value of a good therapist who helps us to see what we are missing. The way we might laugh off or brush over a sensitive topic. The change in our body or energy as we speak of certain things. The unseen or unspoken but palpably felt aspects of therapy. The challenge of our thoughts and beliefs, not just the asking of questions that we ourselves can ask but those that can be asked of us. Which is where engaging with therapy has the most value. As Carl Jung stated, ‘helping make the unconscious conscious.’ Which I do believe can only happen within the attuned, human to human, therapeutic space. Without which we can continue to live in the echo chamber of our own beliefs, thoughts and attitudes.

ChatGPT and the like are tools. But I do believe we have to been wary of how much we are going to give away our spaces of deep human to human interaction. The spaces where compassion, connection, empathy, care and kindness are shared. It is this humanity that saves us from loneliness and isolation, the biggest predictor of our mental health and indeed longevity of life. When we feel seen and heard by another in a space of respect and non judgement it has the power to restore us to a right sense of self and foster feelings of belonging. Both of which are fundamental to our stability as humans.