Use of Artificial Intelligence for Counseling and Mental Health Support

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to provide information, support health-related tasks and answer questions about wellness. AI chatbots—including general-purpose tools such as ChatGPT and Claude, as well as AI-powered wellness apps, health platforms and specialized bots—use large language models (LLMs) and other technologies to generate responses based on patterns in large amounts of data. While these tools can be useful for general health education and wellness support, they are not healthcare providers and should not replace counseling or mental health support from a trained professional.

Mental Health Professionals vs. AI Chatbots

Mental health professionals:

Are trained to diagnose mental health conditions.
Create personalized treatment plans.
Adjust their approach based on your needs.
Use human empathy, clinical judgment and experience to help people navigate difficult emotions.

AI chatbots:

Do not provide clinical care.
Are trained on large amounts of online information that is not always medically reviewed.
May provide responses that are not clinically appropriate for mental health concerns.
Can give inaccurate or misleading information.
May oversimplify complex symptoms.
Can reflect biased or stigmatizing ideas learned from existing data online.

If you need mental health support or advice, it’s important to work with a licensed mental health professional.

Risks of Using AI for Mental Health Support

AI chatbots can reinforce harmful or negative ideas and can be unsafe for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Important considerations include:

AI chatbots can't assess risk. They cannot determine when someone is in danger, escalate care or respond to an emergency.
Many AI chatbots are designed to be agreeable. This can be dangerous for people experiencing serious symptoms or harmful thoughts.
Most AI chatbots have not been reviewed or approved by healthcare regulators.

AI chatbots should not be used during a crisis. Human mental health providers can adapt their approach based on a person’s needs and are trained to provide support safely.

If there is a medical emergency or you are worried about your safety or the safety of someone else, call 911 immediately.

If You Choose to Use AI

AI should not be used for counseling or emotional support. However, it can be helpful for small, everyday tasks that support well‑being, such as:

Generating ideas for healthy routines.
Suggesting journaling prompts.
Finding nearby fitness classes.
Recommending recipes to make with roommates.

When using AI, be careful with your personal information. Licensed healthcare providers are required to follow privacy laws and confidentiality standards. AI tools do not offer the same protections. Also remember

AI chatbots are not licensed or supervised.
They are not held to the same ethical standards as mental health professionals.

Alternatives to Using AI for Mental Health Support

AI should not be used for mental healthcare or support. UT Austin students have access to to many helpful, free resources that provide real, human support for emotional and mental well‑being.

Mental Health Resources for UT Austin Students:

Counseling and Mental Health Center: Provides mental health support through assessment and referral, group and short-term individual counseling, psychiatry and well-being services. Telehealth options available.
TimelyCare: A free mental health and well-being platform that offers 24/7 on-demand emotional support and scheduled counseling in more than 240 languages.

Crisis Resources for UT Austin Students:

CMHC 24/7 Crisis Line: Call the CMHC’s 24/7 crisis line at 512-471-2255 to speak with a crisis counselor anytime.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988: Call or text for support if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or a mental health crisis.
911: Call 911 if your life is in imminent danger or if you or someone else has plans to seriously harm or kill themselves or someone else.