Talking to a Chatbot About How You Feel? What AI Can and Can't Offer
It's late, you can't sleep, and something keeps going round in your head. Your friends are asleep, a waiting list feels a long way off, and your phone is right there. So you open ChatGPT, or a similar app, and start typing how you feel.
If that sounds familiar, you're far from alone, and you haven't done anything wrong. In this post I want to look honestly at why so many people now talk to AI about their mental health, where it can help, what it misses, and when it's worth talking to a person instead.
How many people are using AI for their mental health?
More than you might think. In late 2025, Mental Health UK asked 2,000 people across the UK aged 16 and over about it. Over a third (37%) had used an AI chatbot to support their mental health or wellbeing. Among 25 to 34 year olds it was almost two in three, and men were more likely to have done so than women.
The reasons people gave make complete sense. It's easy to access, waiting times for support are long, and some people find it hard to talk about their mental health with friends or family.
What chatbots can do well
I don't want to dismiss this. Many people in that survey said a chatbot had helped: some felt less alone, and some said it helped them manage difficult feelings in the moment. A chatbot is there at 3am, never gets tired of you, and can be a first step in putting feelings into words.
Researchers are also testing chatbots built specifically for mental health. In the first clinical trial of one, run by Dartmouth in the US, adults with depression or anxiety saw their symptoms ease over eight weeks. Even so, the researchers were clear that there is no replacement for in-person care, and that no AI is ready to work without clinicians keeping an eye on it.
Where they fall short
Most people aren't using purpose-built tools. Two thirds of chatbot users in the Mental Health UK survey were using general tools such as ChatGPT, which weren't designed for mental health support. And for some, it made things worse: around one in ten said it left them feeling more anxious or depressed.
When researchers at Stanford University tested several popular "therapy" chatbots in 2025, they found the bots showed more stigma towards some conditions, such as alcohol dependence, than others. Some also missed clear signs that a person might be at risk. Their conclusion was that AI shouldn't replace human therapy, because therapy is built on a human relationship.
People seem to sense this too. In a large US survey by Pew Research Center in 2026, more adults said chatbots do more harm than good for people using them for depression or loneliness.
We live our lives with people, not machines. What we learn about ourselves through real, person-to-person contact is something AI can't replace.
What a chatbot can't give you
Being known over time. A chatbot won't notice that you've mentioned your dad three weeks running, or that you change the subject whenever work comes up. In counselling I hold the thread from one session to the next, so we can notice patterns together.
A real relationship. For many people, being heard by another person, without judgement, is a big part of what helps. Finding it's safe to be honest with someone can change how you feel about yourself.
Gentle challenge. Chatbots tend to agree with you. Sometimes what helps most is someone who cares enough to gently question the story you've been telling yourself.
Safety and accountability. I'm a PNCPS accredited counsellor, I work to my professional body's ethical framework and I'm fully insured. If things are getting harder, I'll notice, and we can talk about what extra support might help.
Confidentiality you can rely on. What you say in counselling stays between us, within limits I explain at the start. What you type into an app is stored by a company, under its own terms.
Using a chatbot more safely
If you do use AI when you're struggling, a few things can help:
Treat it as a notebook rather than a counsellor. It can help you put feelings into words, or prepare for a conversation with someone you trust.
Think carefully about the personal details you share.
Notice how you feel afterwards. If you come away more anxious, low or alone, take that seriously.
If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please don't rely on an app. Call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, or Samaritans on 116 123, any time of day or night. In an emergency, call 999.
When it's time to talk to a person
If you've found yourself turning to a chatbot again and again, it may be a sign that something deserves more time and care than an app can give. You don't need to have it all worked out first.
I offer counselling and EMDR therapy face to face in Solihull and online. If you'd like to talk things through, you're welcome to book a free 20-minute consultation. It's a chance to ask questions and see whether working with me feels right for you.
