Can ChatGPT Be Therapeutic? Yes and No—Here’s Why It’s Not a Replacement for Therapy
As a licensed therapist in Nashville, TN, I’m seeing more people looking to AI like ChatGPT as a therapeutic tool. But, is that healthy or helpful?
The short answer? Maybe—but it’s not therapy.
I specialize in trauma therapy and OCD therapy, especially for religious OCD (also known as scrupulosity). As a Christian therapist, I often work with individuals navigating intrusive thoughts related to religion or morality, as well as other faith-related struggles—such as engaging with spirituality in the midst of grief, abuse (including spiritual abuse), or other forms of trauma that have disrupted their worldview. With my specific experience and training, I’ve observed that like most technology, AI isn’t all good or all bad. There are some ways that AI such as ChatGPT can aid someone’s mental health journey. However, particularly with OCD and trauma recovery, there are some definite risks and pitfalls.
ChatGPT can be a useful tool for:
Organizing your thoughts
Learning about mental health/ Psycho education
Getting ideas for coping skills (such as journaling prompts or breathing exercises)
Possibly helping you to name an experience (that you can then share with a mental health provider) For example- Chat GPT might help you name an experience such as rumination or derealization.
However, all of these uses come with the potential risk of misinformation. That's why AI tools like ChatGPT often include a disclaimer when asked for medical or mental health advice, such as: "I'm not a doctor, so I can't diagnose conditions or offer personalized medical treatment. If you're experiencing symptoms or have a serious health concern, it's best to consult a licensed healthcare provider."
Additionally, it’s not a replacement for trauma-informed therapy or support for OCD; because, therapy isn’t just about what is said—it’s about how, when, and by whom.
Healing Happens in Relationship—Not Just in Information
As a therapist, I’ve seen time and again that healing doesn’t come from having the “right” answer. It happens in the relational space—in the presence of someone who’s safe, attuned, and grounded.
In therapy, some of the most transformative moments don’t come from words. They come from:
The silence after something vulnerable is shared
A deep breath when someone finally feels safe enough to let go
The nonverbal cues a good therapist will pick up on—the shifting posture, the tears just under the surface—that tell a deeper story than words ever could
That’s what AI can’t replicate.
Why AI May Be Risky for People with OCD and Trauma
If you’re struggling with OCD, especially religious OCD, ChatGPT can unintentionally feed compulsive patterns.
This can look like:
Asking the same moral or spiritual question repeatedly, hoping for reassurance
Searching for the “perfect” answer to relieve anxiety
Becoming stuck in a loop of certainty-seeking
You might temporarily feel better, but feeding your OCD obsessions and ruminations with compulsive reassurance or certainty seeking actually keeps you in the OCD loop, making symptoms worse in the long run.
For those healing from trauma, the risks are different but just as important.
Many trauma survivors stay in their heads because it feels safer than feeling. This defense mechanism is called intellectualization. AI can support this disconnect—offering insight without emotional integration. But real healing happens when we move out of the mind and into the body.
Additionally, both OCD and trauma can cause people to lose trust in themselves—their judgment, their senses, and their intuition. Habitually turning to AI for reassurance can further erode this self-trust, fostering increased dependence on external validation. In therapy, my goal is to help individuals rebuild confidence in themselves—their bodies, their judgment, and their inner wisdom.
Why Human Connection Matters in Therapy
In my work, I specialize in helping clients reconnect with their senses, their bodies, and the present moment.
In EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), a type of therapy I use to address trauma, we’re not just talking about experiences—we’re working with the nervous system. These are body-based memories and patterns that don’t shift just because we understand them logically.
Most of my clients already know the “right” answer. But healing is helping the body believe something new.
A main ingredient of that healing is the embodied therapeutic presence of a grounded therapist, providing co-regulation and safety, bearing witness and providing connection.
Tips for Using AI Tools Like ChatGPT in a Healthy Way
AI can support your mental health and emotional growth—if you use it with intention. Here are a few ways to keep it helpful:
Notice your motive. Are you using ChatGPT for reflection or reassurance seeking?
Track your body. Do you feel calmer and satisfied or more anxious, with an urge to keep searching after using it?
Be honest. Is this helping you move forward—or keeping you stuck in loops?
Pair it with support. Bring your insights or learnings from AI to a safe space with a therapist or other trusted support.
Final Thoughts
I’m not anti-AI. AI like CHatGPT can be helpful for learning, exploring, and organizing thoughts. But, using AI as a therapuetic tool can come with risks, especially for those with OCD or trauma. When it comes to the deep work of healing—we need more than insight. We need connection.
Therapy is both art and science, addressing both content and process, mind and body. It’s where we learn how to be safe in ourselves again, not just think differently.
Looking for a Christian OCD or Trauma Therapist in Nashville, TN or Georgia?
Whether you're struggling with religious OCD, trauma, or questions around faith and mental health, you're not alone. I’d be honored to walk alongside you in the healing process.
➡️ Click here to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation. Or Email me here to learn more.