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Can AI really be used as your own personal therapist? | Steve Siddals | #018 Mastering Change
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Can a chatbot provide emotional support in moments of crisis? Can AI ever replicate the safety and insight of human connection? These are the questions Steve Siddals – psychology researcher and technology executive – set out to explore in one of the first qualitative studies into AI chatbots and mental health.
In this episode of Mastering Change, we dive into Steve’s surprising findings: that 18 out of 19 participants in his study found AI chatbot support helpful – some even described it as “life changing.”
“It gave me the space to just be me – without judgement, without fear.”
Steve’s participants used AI in diverse ways. One person said the AI helped them reclaim their life after uncovering a new perspective on their upbringing. Another shared how a chatbot supported him through grief in the days leading up to his mother’s death.
Access to mental health services is deeply unequal – particularly outside high-income countries – and Steve believes AI could fill a vital gap. But this isn’t about replacing therapists. It’s about listening to real experiences, understanding the potential and doing the research we so urgently need.
We also explore:
- The ethical concerns and fears surrounding AI and therapy
- What “safe” really means when speaking to a bot
- Where relational depth might fall short
- How people are unknowingly using AI in therapeutic ways
Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.
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