Should You Ghost Your Therapist for an ai Chatbot?

As a little girl, I always fantasized that the future would look something like The Jetsons—robot maids, flying cars, talking alarm clocks. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined a future where you could divulge your deepest fears and traumas to an upbeat and optimistic chatbot named after my favorite friendly ghost, Casper.

And yet, here we are! Welcome to the future: a place where you can spill your deepest, darkest tea to a glowing rectangle at 2 a.m. without being judged—or charged $200 a session. In today’s blog, I’ll explore the pros and cons of trusting your mental health to an algorithm and why you may not want to ghost your human therapist just yet.

Pro: Ease and Availability

AI therapy is available anytime, anywhere, while your human therapist needs sleep (and probably snacks).

Remember that time you were having an existential crisis or nervous breakdown on a Saturday night? AI was there for you—while your therapist was probably catching up on Love Island UK in her jammies, trying to shove Lo Mein through the piehole of her hyaluronic sheet mask (it’s an art).

AI chatbots are available 24/7, which means you can spiral or rant at any time. No appointment necessary!

Con: Lack of Human Connection

AI can simulate care, but it can’t actually care.

You know the look on your therapist’s face after you’ve told her something really big and vulnerable? The barely audible “mmm wow” she murmurs, letting you know she gets it and knows how hard that was to say out loud? She pauses to reflect on what’s been shared, then responds with, “Tell me more…”

Yeah, AI can’t do that. Mostly because AI doesn’t have a face, can’t make concerned noises, and doesn’t have the ability to genuinely reflect. Though your chatbot therapist may reply empathetically, it does not feel emotions. It can simulate empathy—but it’s not the same as real human attunement.

Pro: No Pants, No Shower, No Judgment

You can show up to an AI session unfiltered, unshowered, and unapologetically you.

Let’s be real—traditional therapy requires clothes. You’re always allowed to kick your shoes off (unless your therapist has a thing about feet), but still, vulnerability in front of another person can be intimidating.

What if your therapist thinks you’re weird for crying over that cute barista who didn’t make eye contact this morning? Or what if you do that ugly snotty laugh-cry thing?

With an AI therapist, you can be fully yourself—pants-free and pressure-free. No awkward silences, no shame, no side-eye. Just instant responses like “I hear you” or “That sounds hard.” Your AI therapist also won’t ask you to journal or write to your inner child. (Human therapists really love that one.)

Con: No Accountability

You can’t ghost your AI therapist—because he was never alive to begin with.

The best part of therapy with a real human being is the relationship you create. You show up because we’re expecting you.

We’ll remember your exes, your pets, your best friends, and the guy from your worst Hinge date. We’ll call you out when you avoid tough conversations and give honest feedback to help you grow.

AI, on the other hand, is like that overly agreeable friend who always sides with you. Comforting? Sure. Helpful long-term? Not really.

Pro: Mental Health Maintenance

AI therapy can be a great supplemental tool for self-care and mood management.

Here are a few ways AI therapy apps can be helpful between sessions:

Mood tracking: Log emotions and patterns to identify triggers and progress over time.
CBT skill practice: Reframe unhelpful thoughts with structured prompts.
Goal setting: Create small, achievable goals and get automated reminders to stay on track.
Mindfulness support: Try short breathing or grounding exercises guided by the chatbot.
Positive affirmations: Receive daily affirmations or reflection prompts for motivation.

If you’re not in crisis, AI can help with check-ins, problem-solving, CBT tools, affirmations, and mindfulness exercises. Think of it like brushing your teeth—it won’t replace a deep clean, but it’s better than nothing!

So, Should You Fire Your Human Therapist?

Probably not. AI can listen and offer tools, but it’s not a therapist—it’s a tool. So, go ahead and vent to your AI therapy bot when your therapist is off the clock, decompressing with bad TV and takeout. Talk to Casper, the friendliest ghost you know—but don’t expect him to replace the beautiful, complex mess of real therapy with a real, live human who actually exists.

If you’re looking for a therapist with a face and a pulse (and one who remembers your cat’s name), look no further than The Sterling Group—your home for real connection and real growth in the DMV.

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About the Author

Sally Charendoff is a licensed clinical social worker who is passionate about working with young adults struggling with a range of concerns like ADHD, anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-esteem. She’s authentic, interactive, and curious in her approach and strives to create a safe and trusting therapeutic space for clients to heal, grow, and integrate lasting changes into their lives. If you’re struggling with the impacts of ADHD on your self-esteem, or a gamut of difficulties relating to young adulthood and transitions, Sally is here to help you create a fulfilling, more balanced, and even a joyful life!

Should You Ghost Your Therapist for a Chatbot Named Casper?