ARTICLE – 3

TOPIC: AI bot for Talking Therapy Referrals

Can AI bot be really helpful for talking therapy referrals

Advika Gupta
Ghaziabad, 22 February

Diving into the world where Artificial Intelligence is like exploring a whole new world where our creativity meets cool
technology. AI is changing the game, turning sci-fi dreams into reality. It's the foundation of a future filled with
endless possibilities and opportunities. AI has become very common and has gained a lot of fame among everyone in
the recent years. Fear of lack of jobs has also emerged amongst people. A discussion over what all could be done by
AI has been the most common recently. The question aroused that can AI help in mental problems, in giving
therapies. There were debates where people said that, even though it is capable of doing almost everything but still
it is a machine and machine cannot have emotions or understand them. Is this the truth?

As of now, we have come across several AI bots that can be actually used for therapy referrals. There are various AI-
powered platforms and apps that can help connect individuals with mental health professionals and provide
resources for therapy. It feels nearly impossible that how technology can be so impowered towards mental well-
being. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in psychiatry, psychology, and other mental health services like
psychotherapy is rising. AI-based agents carry out complex medical procedures and simple administrative tasks,
raising the level of care, cutting costs, accessing underserved communities, and expanding opportunities for
underprivileged groups. Rapid breakthroughs in AI mental health are still not generally utilized by patients or medical
professionals.

One example for an AI Bot that can help in therapy is Woebot, it is a chatbot that uses cognitive-behavioural therapy
principles to provide emotional support and can guide users to appropriate mental health services if needed. Woebot
uses AI in therapy by engaging in chat-based conversations with its users. It uses natural language processing and
machine learning algorithms to understand and respond to users' thoughts and feelings. It provides cognitive-
behavioural therapy techniques, mood tracking, and personalized insights to help users manage their mental well-
being. Woebot can provide support for a range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and
more. It offers evidence-based strategies and techniques to help individuals manage their specific challenges. It's
designed to be a helpful resource for anyone seeking support for their mental well-being.

Another example for this is Talkspace, which offers therapy through an app with licensed therapists, and BetterHelp,
which also connects users with professional counsellors. Both of these apps use AI to help match you with the right
therapist. With Talkspace and BetterHelp, you can connect with licensed therapists through text, audio, or video calls
or messages, this makes it convenient and provides easy access without bringing you out of your comfort zone. It's
truly an amazing option for those who cannot have easy or proper access to therapists in person. These platforms
offer a variety of therapy options to fulfil different needs and concerns. It's all about finding the right fit for you and
taking that important step towards prioritizing your mental well-being. On online platforms like Talkspace and
BetterHelp, a wide range of therapists are widely available. You can find clinical psychologists, licensed professional
counsellors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and many more who are waiting to help you out. These
are highly specialised in various areas of mental stress that are generally faced by us such as anxiety, depression,
relationships, trauma, and stress management.

A 2018 study found that 38% of Americans had to wait more than a week to receive mental health treatment. The
same study stated that 46% faced more than a one-hour drive to receive care, and another 25% had to choose
between receiving therapy and meeting daily obligations. And wait times are increasing. Therapy apps resolve this
issue by providing accessible and affordable mental health services.

Unfortunately, mental health issues and therapy often carry social stigma, making people reluctant to seek help.
Some people may feel more comfortable accessing care anonymously via an application.

As impressive as AI technology is, its services are only as good as the programmers creating the scripted responses.
Chatbots can’t truly understand or empathize with human emotions, and users may find this off-putting — so much
so that they completely turn away from mental health interventions.

Recently, the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) disabled its AI chatbot after discovering it gave potentially
damaging dieting advice to at-risk teens. The discovery occurred a week after the organization made their in-person
counsellors redundant. This event highlights the potential for AIs to offer erroneous and harmful advice to vulnerable
populations. AI tools can only process information and draw conclusions. Their algorithm doesn’t allow for leaps of
logic or intuitive decisions like a trained therapist.

AI can serve as a valuable support tool within the therapeutic process, but it should not be the sole treatment
option. Proper evaluation of potential risks and ethical considerations is necessary when integrating AI into therapy.
AI therapy is kind of like that hero in the background. It's not trying to steal the spotlight from our human therapists,
but it's there to catch us when we stumble at odd hours. As we move forward, it's pretty exciting to imagine how AI
therapy will grow and keep making a difference in our day-to-day lives.

We need to understand that AI or Artificial Intelligence is a technology to help us not something we can completely
rely on. We need to understand that when, where and how it should be used and till what limit.