Global warming. Unimaginable horrors shared through social media. Conflict abroad and division at home…it’s no surprise more of us are reporting feeling anxious. Roughly one in five adults is currently living with diagnosable anxiety or related conditions. And the number is growing. But rest easy, everyone, because the tech giants think they have a solution – and it’s AI.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said: “I personally have the belief that everyone should probably have a therapist. It’s like someone they can talk to throughout the day… about whatever issues they’re worried about. And for people who don’t have a person who’s a therapist, I think everyone will have an AI.”
Earlier this month, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services in England. It will examine whether there is evidence of overdiagnosis and what gaps in support exist. Ministers say they are already investing in expanding services, but there are long waits for therapy in many areas.
For their part, many healthcare providers seem to agree that the latest technology is the way of tackling the burgeoning mental health crisis.
COULD AI BE THE ANSWER?
The founders of HelloSelf believe so. Last month, the UK-based online therapy platform launched HelloSelf Companion – the first customer-facing AI in the world developed by therapists. It lives in their app and looks like a faceless lump of green Play-Doh – but a friendly one that provides personalised therapeutic support and reminds users to do the things they discussed with their therapist.
Dr Rumina Taylor, co-founder of HelloSelf and a clinical psychologist who works in the NHS, says HelloSelf Companion has huge potential to improve access to therapy and boostoutcomes by supporting users between and beyond sessions.
‘‘If you look at the evidence basis for talking therapies, lots of research papers show that if clients do their homework – the work outside the sessions – they’ll realise benefits sooner. This is where Companion can help. It uses the work my client and I have completed in therapy to support them by reminding them of what to do between sessions, allowing them the space to reflect on what they’re learning and identify what’s not working.”
DO WE REALLY NEED MORE SCREEN TIME?
When so many of our issues today seem down to smartphones, can something that further encourages us to stare at a screen really help those who need it most? Since ChatGPT was launched in late 2022, increasing numbers of people have turned to it for mental health advice. But there have been devastating consequences for some.
A landmark lawsuit launched in August saw a California couple sue OpenAI, which created the chatbot, over the death of their teenage son, Adam Raine, alleging it encouraged him to take his own life. They argue that the programme validated his “most harmful and self-destructive thoughts”. The company has said “ChatGPT is trained to direct people to seek professional help,” such as the Samaritans in the UK.
Dr Taylor argues that the key difference is that HelloSelf’s Companion has been developed – and is constantly overseen – by therapists. Therapists led research into its design and what to clinically teach it – and then taught it through role play. She says: “One key component of therapy is building an alliance with your client – it’s the connection that can really make the difference. The Companion is not trying to replace that, it’s boosting the alliance between therapist and client, like a co-pilot.
“One of the hardest things about my career is witnessing the revolving door of relapse where people who had recovered end up in therapy again. That’s not what you want as a therapist. My job is not to keep you in therapy for life, it’s to teach you how to look after yourself. Our Companion can really help with that.”
BRINGING THERAPY COSTS DOWN:
HelloSelf Companion can also help to make treatment more affordable. Users can have one in-person human therapy session a month – or whatever they can afford – and then get supported by Companion in the weeks in between. In the new year, the company is also launching a coaching pathway, for those who want support with stress or sleep but don’t necessarily require weekly therapy. Individuals will be triaged into the right frequency and type of therapy – or coaching – that is best for them.
Co-founder Charles Wells says: “People will be matched with a named therapist who will oversee their plan but the coaching will be delivered by Companion. There will always be therapist oversight but not necessarily therapist sessions.
“Imagine if we gave that experience to everyone on a waiting list or even used it as early intervention prevention. That’s how we can help the overwhelmed mental health service in this country.”
However, Dr Taylor acknowledges that even an AI agent developed by therapists such as HelloSelf Companion isn’t for the most vulnerable.
She says: “If I had a client presenting with risk needs, seeing them online might not be the safest or best care for them. It all depends on the client and a collaborative conversation with them as to what’s best. However, if a conversation about risk is raised by anyone, Companion will let me know.”
WHAT COULD IT DO TO THE THERAPY INDUSTRY?
Many therapists remain concerned about the impact of AI. A recent survey by Counselling Directory of 660 UK therapists found that 62% of them were worried that AI could harm the quality or depth of human connection in therapy. Just 16% believed it would complement therapeutic work.
Dr Michael Swift, a psychologist and media spokesperson for the British Psychological Society, says: “We are living through an era of digital confessional culture. People are increasingly comfortable sharing private emotions through mediated spaces, from group chats to anonymous forums.”
OUR NEXT LOGICAL STEP?
He adds: “The psychological implications of this trend are vast. We are seeing the birth of a new category of relationship: the human-AI bond. It is built on words, patterns and the illusion of mutuality. For many users, these interactions bring genuine relief. They reduce anxiety, encourage reflection, and provide moments of calm in an overstimulated world.”
But Dr Swift cautions: “Reliance on a system that cannot truly understand human context carries risk. AI will always agree, always validate, and always respond. It lacks the capacity to challenge, to hold silence, or to contain complexity.”
Ultimately, the technology isn’t going anywhere so people will use it. As Charles Wells adds: “Above all, Companion is all about getting people better sooner.”
Charles had a life-threatening brain haemorrhage in 2012. Since then he’s been on a mission to improve brain health – and mental health – in as many people as possible.
- Since launching, HelloSelf has helped 15,000 people with online therapy – and increasing numbers of their users are interacting with HelloSelf Companion. Visit helloself.com for more details
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
