A lot of the benefit of therapy likely comes from the social aspect of feeling understood and seen by another _person_. This can't come from an AI as long as those treated know it's an AI.
Maybe. I've used ChatGPT for "therapy" a few times and I partly agree with you. A couple of times I had a terrible day and found myself even more frustrated after trying to vent to the AI because all it did was offer ideas and lists and elementary explanations of things I already knew.
Other times, it helped me to explore relationships in my life. In that way it worked a little bit like free-writing, but an interactive / guided exercise. It turns out that a little objectivity and reflection was all I needed.
Is it a substitute for a human? No. Then again, are you volunteering to listen to me complain? I don't want to abuse my limited friendships and I'm not going to pay someone.
My frustration was with the limitations of the AI, not the fact that it was a bot. If it remembered my past conversations, built a profile of my personality and preferences, and wasn't such a stick in the mud regarding policy then I suspect the companionship would be socially rewarding, at least to me.
Other times, it helped me to explore relationships in my life. In that way it worked a little bit like free-writing, but an interactive / guided exercise. It turns out that a little objectivity and reflection was all I needed.
Is it a substitute for a human? No. Then again, are you volunteering to listen to me complain? I don't want to abuse my limited friendships and I'm not going to pay someone.
My frustration was with the limitations of the AI, not the fact that it was a bot. If it remembered my past conversations, built a profile of my personality and preferences, and wasn't such a stick in the mud regarding policy then I suspect the companionship would be socially rewarding, at least to me.