AI for therapy or companionship: An accessible option that comes with a price
Note: This blog post talks about things related to mental health, self-harm and AI companionship/ 'therapy'. What is written is also not a replacement for therapy or other interventions. The information I share here is based on research papers, articles, chapters and my experience as a therapist. But what I write here might not answer your specific questions or cover your specific concerns- this is general information. Please reach out to someone for assistance if you believe you need it. We deserve all the help and resources that we need! Psychotherapy and Counselling have been proven to be effective tools for mental health. They are tools which can help people not only understand themselves but also those around them - they are effective interventions that have been studied and refined for many decades. But when it comes to its real-world application, hurdles like stigma around mental health, problems with accessibility to proper care, a dearth of properly trained th...