What therapy is
Psychotherapy is a treatment for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders or the effects of trauma. It is provided by licensed professionals — psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists — who assess what is going on, make a diagnosis where needed, agree a treatment plan with you and are bound by professional ethics and confidentiality. In many countries therapy is covered by public health care or insurance; in the UK, for example, you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression.
What people mean by “AI therapy”
“AI therapy” is used for very different things: general-purpose chatbots such as ChatGPT that people talk to about their worries; wellbeing and coaching apps built for self-reflection; and a small number of digital programmes that are regulated as medical products in some countries. Most of what is called “AI therapy” online is not therapy in the professional sense — no assessment, no diagnosis, no licensed professional who takes responsibility.
What coaching is
Coaching supports people who are generally well: reaching goals, building habits, handling everyday stress, making decisions, reflecting on what matters to you. A good coach asks questions and helps you find your own answers. Coaching is not a treatment, and “coach” is usually not a protected title — so it is worth asking about training and experience.
What an AI coach can — and can’t — do
It can
- be there at any time, without an appointment;
- ask questions that help you sort your thoughts;
- guide self-help exercises such as a thought journal or slow breathing;
- help you notice patterns over weeks;
- remind you of the small steps you chose.
It can’t
- diagnose or treat a mental health condition;
- understand your life the way a person who knows you does;
- take responsibility for your decisions;
- replace the relationship with a therapist;
- help in an emergency.
An AI can also sound confident and still be wrong. Treat its suggestions as prompts for your own thinking, not as advice you must follow.
Side by side
| Therapy | Coaching | AI coaching (psyarea) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Treat mental health conditions | Goals, habits, everyday stress | Self-reflection and everyday wellbeing |
| Who | Licensed professional | Coach (training varies) | Software; you stay in charge |
| Diagnosis | Yes, where needed | No | No |
| Regulated | Yes — professional law and ethics | Usually not | Not a medical device; transparent about being an AI |
| Good fit when | Problems last, weigh on daily life or frighten you | You’re generally well and want to grow | You want structure, practice and a calm space to think |
What experts say
In November 2025 the American Psychological Association published a health advisory on generative AI chatbots and wellness apps. Its message, in short: these tools lack the evidence and regulation to be relied on for psychological treatment; some tools built for a narrow purpose, such as lowering stress, may help, but the research is still limited. We agree with that boundary — it is why psyarea is designed as a wellbeing and coaching tool and says clearly what it isn’t.
Using ChatGPT as a therapist: what to know
- It isn’t built for this. General-purpose chatbots are not designed or tested for mental health support and have no crisis protocol you can rely on.
- Privacy. Check what happens to your conversations — whether they are stored, reviewed or used to train models.
- It agrees too easily. Chatbots tend to validate what you say, which can feel good but isn’t always helpful.
- It can be wrong. Treat answers as ideas to think about, not as advice or a diagnosis.
- Watch for dependence. If talking to an AI starts replacing people in your life, take that as a signal.
Can you use both?
Yes. Many people use self-help tools alongside therapy. If you are in therapy, tell your therapist which tools you use, so they support your treatment rather than pull in a different direction. An AI coach should never be a reason to delay or stop treatment.
Where psyarea stands
psyarea is an experimental AI coaching tool for self-reflection and everyday wellbeing for adults. Aura guides structured conversations, suggests small exercises and shows crisis lines when a conversation suggests you may be in danger. It is not therapy, not a medical device and it does not diagnose. We are preparing a beta.
When to talk to a professional
See your GP or a licensed mental health professional if low mood, worry or sleeplessness lasts for more than two weeks, gets in the way of work or relationships, or frightens you. In the UK you can also refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression. If you think about harming yourself, call 112 or a crisis line now.