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By Elizabeth Dosoretz, LCSW
Over the past few years, artificial intelligence has moved from something abstract to something woven into our everyday lives. It is changing how we work, communicate, learn, and make decisions. With innovation comes excitement, and there is no question that AI has the potential to improve efficiency and expand access in meaningful ways. At the same time, innovation also calls for responsibility, clear guardrails, and thoughtful oversight. Without those, even
well-intentioned tools can cause harm.
Mental health is one area where AI is gaining
significant traction. According to a recent American Psychological Association (APA) health advisory, millions of people around the world are engaging with general-purpose generative AI chatbots and wellness apps to find support they cannot access elsewhere. This trend reflects the very real mental health crisis we are facing, marked by rising rates of loneliness, anxiety, and disconnection. Many people want help but struggle with long waitlists, limited availability, financial barriers, or stigma. For them, accessibility is often the driving force.
As demand for mental health services continues to rise, the ease of access and relatively low cost of AI-based tools have made them an attractive option. For some, these tools feel less intimidating than reaching out to a provider. They can reduce certain barriers, such as shame, fear of judgment, or the challenge of fitting appointments into a busy schedule. For someone in distress who wants immediate support, turning to AI can feel like a logical step. At the same time, it is important not to lose sight of how new this technology actually is.
AI can feel as though it has been around for a long time, perhaps because of how quickly it has been adopted and integrated into daily life. In reality, these tools have not had the benefit of being tested and retested over decades in the way traditional clinical approaches have. Mental health care is not about efficiency metrics or spreadsheets. It is about providing care to humans, whether children, adults, or families, often at their most vulnerable moments. Mental health professionals rely on evidence-based practices, ethical standards, and clinical skills that have been studied, refined,
and proven over time. When we introduce new tools into this space, especially those that interact directly with vulnerable individuals, caution and humility are essential.
It is also critical to be clear about what these technologies are and what they are not. AI tools are not designed to provide clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Many are not grounded in scientific research, are not regulated or approved for mental health use, and do not operate within the ethical and legal frameworks that guide licensed professionals. This creates real risks, including misinformation, misinterpretation of symptoms, inappropriate reassurance, and
significant privacy concerns.
The APA advisory outlines several important recommendations for safer use of AI in mental health contexts:
• These tools should not be relied upon to replace psychotherapy or psychological treatment.
• There must be safeguards to prevent unhealthy emotional dependency, as constant availability and personalization can blur the line between using a digital tool and forming a perceived relationship.
• Privacy must be prioritized, particularly when platforms have unclear policies regarding data use, storage, or sale.
• Users should be protected from misleading or inaccurate information, built-in biases, and tools that appear more effective than they truly are.
• Additional protections are especially important for children, teenagers, and other vulnerable populations.
• Comprehensive AI and digital literacy education is also essential so individuals understand both the potential benefits and the limitations of these tools.
Very few things in health care are purely good or purely bad. What matters is how tools are used, how they are regulated, and whether people truly understand what they are engaging with.
Context matters. Every innovation introduced into the mental health space should be evaluated not only for its promise but also for its potential
consequences.
AI touches our families, our communities, and the future of care itself. With education, responsibility, and clear boundaries, we can make informed
decisions about when these tools may be helpful and when human connection, clinical expertise, and professional care are essential.
About the Author
Elizabeth Dosoretz, LCSW, is the founder and CEO of Elite DNA Behavioral Health. As a mother of three, her personal journey through the challenges of postpartum depression inspired her to found Elite DNA Behavioral Health in 2013 with a goal to provide accessible, affordable mental health care to everyone. Now one of the fastest-growing mental health providers in the Southeast, Elite DNA provides in-person and virtual behavioral health services from more than 40 locations across Florida, Virginia, and Alabama. For more information, visit EliteDNA.com.