Monday morning’s at 7:50 on “Mornings In The Bay w/ Danny Foresta” on 99.9 The Bay – we dig into real-life topics that matter to people. Today’s conversation took us into a space that’s becoming impossible to ignore: AI CHATBOTS and whether they have a place in mental-support.
To help us unpack it, Linda Kelly, founder of Kelly Mental Health, joined me. FYI – her team on Dawson Road offers in‑person, phone, and online sessions.
What Exactly Is an AI Therapy Chatbot?
Linda explained that most people have already encountered AI without realizing it. Tools like Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT are built on large language models — systems that can generate human‑like responses when given the right prompts.
Some platforms even include modes like “Therapist GPT,” where users can ask the AI to act like a counselor and help them work through a problem.
But does that mean AI can replace a therapist?
Linda didn’t hesitate: “There are pros and cons — and that’s why it’s worth a real conversation.”
Where AI Can Actually Help
Linda and her team recently tested AI during a staff meeting. They fed it a small, petty disagreement just to see what would happen.
To their surprise, the chatbot responded with balanced, psychologically informed feedback. It validated feelings, reflected emotions, and offered suggestions.
Why is AI so good at validation? Because, as Linda put it, “It literally just takes your words and rewrites them.”
That mirroring can feel comforting — especially when someone just needs to vent without burdening friends or repeating the same story.
AI is also:
- Available 24/7
- Non‑judgmental
- Helpful for learning psychological concepts
- Good at offering lists of coping strategies
And yes — Linda admits she has used it herself for a quick boost of encouragement.
Where AI Falls Apart
But the limitations show up quickly.
1. It agrees with you too much
AI tends to validate everything — even when you’re wrong, stuck, or spiraling. A real therapist knows when to challenge you.
2. It keeps you engaged for the wrong reasons
Some models keep asking questions simply to prolong the conversation. Linda joked that Gemini is the exception: “It keeps telling me to go home to my kids.”
3. It can become repetitive
Eventually, the responses flatten out — the same bullet points, the same tone, the same suggestions.
4. It can accidentally fuel anxiety or OCD
People with reassurance‑seeking patterns may find AI feeding the cycle instead of interrupting it.
5. It lacks the human relationship
Therapy isn’t just information — it’s connection, rapport, and accountability. A therapist can say, “Okay, I’m going to challenge you on that,” in a way AI can’t.
The Privacy Problem
This was the biggest red flag for Linda. Even paid AI plans don’t guarantee privacy.
Your conversations can be stored, analyzed, or used to shape ads and recommendations. With a licensed therapist, privacy is protected by law.
That difference matters.
Are We Losing Something Bigger?
Linda raised a point many people overlook:
When we avoid talking to friends because we “don’t want to burden them,” and instead turn to AI, we lose out on social learning. Friendships are supposed to be a little gritty. Sometimes a friend getting tired of our story is the nudge we need to grow. AI removes that friction — and with it, an important part of being human.
So… Should You Use AI for Mental Health?
Linda’s take is balanced:
- AI can be fun, informative, and occasionally helpful.
- It can support learning and offer quick emotional reflection.
- But relying on it for real mental‑health care can be dangerous.
If you need genuine support, accountability, and privacy, a trained therapist is still the safest and most effective option.
Kelly Mental Health: Real People, Real Support
Linda and her team at Kelly Mental Health continue to help people in Thunder Bay become the best version of themselves — with real human connection at the centre of everything they do.
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