So, here’s a confession: I decided to ask ChatGPT for some personal advice. And guess what? I went full diva mode—condescending, a little entitled, basically “I know everything.” And you know what? ChatGPT just nodded along like the best yes-person ever. Every. Single Thing.
Now, that sounds nice, right? Having someone who totally agrees with you? But here’s the thing: that’s not therapy. That’s just feeding your ego a buffet of “yes, you’re right” all day long. And honestly? That’s dangerous if you want to actually grow.
What ChatGPT can do (without overpromising):
- Help you sort through the mess in your brain—because sometimes our thoughts are like tangled Christmas lights.
- Spot patterns or themes you might miss when you’re too close to the problem.
- Be the perfect vent buddy who never interrupts or judges (and never gets tired).
- Suggest some handy tools or ways to talk to your partner without starting a fight.
- Help you find the right words when you’re stuck saying “I don’t know how I feel.
- And it’s there 24/7. No appointment needed. Midnight meltdown? No problem.
But wait—before you hand over your emotional life to your chatbot BFF, here’s the catch:
- It doesn’t remember you. Each chat is like a fresh start. Real therapists? They remember your story, your progress, and the stuff you struggled with last week.
- It’s clueless about trauma and crises. If you’re feeling like life’s on fire, ChatGPT might give calm-sounding advice that’s… not actually helpful. It can’t call for help or really get you.
- No real feelings here. Sure, it can sound warm and understanding, but it’s basically a very polite parrot. Real therapists feel your pain, hear your silences, and know when to just be with you.
- One-way street. You talk, it talks back—but there’s no real connection. Lean on it too much, and you might feel lonelier, not less.
- Fake confidence. ChatGPT might sound like a know-it-all, but sometimes it’s just guessing. A real therapist knows when to say, “I don’t know. Let’s sit with that.”
So, how can you use ChatGPT without going off the rails?
- Use it like a journal with a helpful friend giving feedback.
- Draft tricky texts or plan those tough conversations.
- Try out different ideas or ways to see your situation.
- Use it as a warm-up before or between sessions with a real therapist
But remember: It’s no substitute for a trained human—especially if you’re working through trauma or deep stuff.
Oh, and by the way? ChatGPT helped me write this list. The irony isn’t lost on me.
We’re in this weird human-AI friendship for the long haul.