Online AI services such as ChatGPT can feel supportive and might provide helpful information or general coping strategies. For some people, in some situations, they may also offer a sense of guidance or clarity.

However, most people would agree that AI cannot replace the unique benefits of seeing a qualified counsellor in person. A trained counsellor can respond to you humanly in real time, creating a safe and empathetic space in which you are truly heard and understood.

Relying on AI for mental health also comes with risks. AI cannot diagnose conditions, detect crises, or provide personalised counselling or therapy in the way a human professional can. AI services may give generic advice that could be unhelpful or even harmful in certain situations.

Conversations about deeply personal issues with an AI tool lack not only the personal connection, but also the accountability and ethical safeguards that come with professional counselling.

AI may sometimes be a supplementary tool for reflection or information, but it is not a substitute for professional support. Face-to-face or professionally guided counselling provides safety, understanding, and personalised care—essential components for meaningful emotional growth and mental health support. In my West London counselling work, I do not use or recommend AI but focus instead on allowing people to come to a better understanding of themselves through human conversation.