Note: The AI Therapy Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not provide psychotherapy, diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship with any host, guest, or affiliated entity. The show may discuss AI tools and self-help exercises; AI systems can be inaccurate, biased, or overly confident and are not a substitute for qualified professional support or crisis services. Do not rely on this podcast or any AI tool in an emergency. If you’re in immediate danger or at risk of harming yourself or someone else, call your local emergency number or contact a crisis line right now.

Episode Description

Did you know that over 60% of people say talking to ChatGPT feels more helpful and empathetic than talking to their own doctor? It’s a wild statistic, but it raises a huge question: Is AI actually helping us get better, or is it just telling us what we want to hear?

On AI Therapy Podcast, we’re getting real about how people are using AI for self-help right now. We explore whether a chatbot can actually guide you through evidence-based psychology—the stuff that really works—or if it’s just a "flattery machine" designed to agree with you even when you're wrong. We’ll talk about the difference between using AI to calm your nerves before a big work meeting and using it to make life-changing decisions, like ending a 10-year relationship. (Spoiler: Your long-term relationship definitely deserves more than just a chat with a bot!)

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The 60% Stat: Why so many people feel like AI "gets" them better than a medical professional.

• Validation vs. Therapy: How to tell if your AI is giving you "sugar-coated validation" or actual therapeutic help.

• When to Use It (and When to Step Away): Why AI is great for small stresses but potentially "less safe" for the big stuff.

• Better Prompts: How to write the specific prompts you need to get real support instead of generic advice.

• Getting Started: How you can start using AI for your mental health literally today in a way that actually works.

We’d love to hear from you! Leave us a comment or each out directly with your thoughts, questions or suggestions for future episodes at ⁠AITherapypodcast@empiricalwisdom.ca⁠ or reach out via the site ⁠⁠⁠www.empiricalwisdom.ca/ai-therapy-podcast⁠⁠

Meet Your Hosts: We’re a bit of a family affair! Join a consumer insights nerd, her techie husband, and her "annoying" older brother—who also happens to be a licensed psychologist. Together, we bring you "real talk" and practical tools to help you navigate technology mindfully.

Ready to dive in? Follow the AI Therapy Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!