Mental health is a complex issue that most people deal with at some point in their lives. There are many different therapies available to help people manage their mental health, but one new therapy that is growing in popularity is AI therapy.
AI therapy, or artificial intelligence therapy, uses computers or robots to help patients communicate and understand their mental health. While there are still some concerns about the efficacy of this type of therapy, early results look promising. Read on to learn more about AI therapy for mental health and whether it might be right for you.
Please note that there is a discipline of AI therapy. Still, AI Therapy is the name of one specific solution developed in early 2007 by Dr. Fjola Helgadottir and Dr. Ross Menzies.
The initial use of AI Therapy developed by Dr. Fjola Helgadottir and Dr. Ross Menzies was to help treat and diagnose social anxiety. However, it has now expanded to help millions of people worldwide who suffer from mental illnesses.
The success of Dr. Fjola Helgadottir and Dr. Ross Menzies solution now gives more people access to mental healthcare. In addition, AI therapy has changed how treatment plans are developed.
This is because mental health treatment plans for various disorders, like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse-related, can be personalized for patients based on a patient’s historical data.
AI therapy also offers ease of access. For example, people who need mental health treatment but are restricted for health, financial or personal reasons can now conveniently book an appointment with an app on their smartphone or tablet.
AI therapy technology rose to popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic when mental health illnesses became more prevalent, and access to mental health care was restricted.
How Does AI Therapy Change The Landscape Of Psychology?
The technology has been shown to more accurately diagnose and provide better treatment plans to patients than traditional therapists. As a result, AI therapy keeps the standard of care high. In addition, it ensures high-quality control, as opposed to conventional treatment, where the standard of care depends on the therapist.
The development of AI therapy has enabled technology firms to provide clinics with the ability to better understand the language used in sessions. In turn, therapists can improve their skills and better understand their patients.
Furthermore, the use of natural language processing (NLP) uniquely processes transcripts from sessions to provide feedback to other therapists and trainees.
AI therapy technology has also detected mental illnesses earlier than traditional doctors. It can also recommend accurate treatment plans. This enables patients to be paired with well-suited doctors who can treat patients faster and better
In addition, AI therapy has proven to significantly improve the treatment of mental health illnesses and how patients live their lives.
The Broader application of AI For Mental health diagnosis and treatment
AI therapy enables doctors and researchers to analyze larger mental health data sets accurately. This had to be manually completed in the past and can be inefficient and time-consuming. As a result, AI and machine learning have vastly improved how mental health care can be practiced.
AI also goes one step further and can monitor patient progress and suggest alterations to the treatment plan if needed. This is an incredible advantage as it allows patients to access the correct care quickly.
Understanding the patient’s language is vital to providing accurate and effective care. This is where AI aims to bridge the gap between therapists and their patients. M. P. Ewbank and his team at the Clinical Science Laboratory at Ieso strive to understand patient language through an approach to code session transcripts automatically.
The team at Ieso has created a study to determine if clients are using common negative statements such as “I don’t want to live this life anymore.” Ieso has determined that if these statements are absent, it could be a red flag that therapy isn’t working.
This is because negative statements such as these show that the patient is exploring how they can change their life when they are unhappy with their current circumstances. Being able to accurately analyze and study the language used between patients and therapists is revolutionary. It will propel the mental health care industry forward.
The need for therapists and clinical psychologist is growing as the stigma around mental health is lifting, and more people are becoming aware of the symptoms of mental health illnesses. In addition, the face of therapy has quickly evolved to enable technology to reach more people accurately, while helping to ensure that applied treatment techniques work.
AI Therapy makes Makes mental health treatment more accessible.
AI mental health care therapy is becoming more accessible to people who previously could not or would not attend traditional therapy for several personal reasons. One such case is that of Kevin Cowley, a man who has experienced PTSD for almost 30 years following the horrifying accident at Hillsborough stadium in 1989, where there was a crowd stampede.
Kevin Cowley did not have success with traditional therapy sessions. In fact, he abandoned it after only a few sessions. However, since finding AI therapy, he has been able to overcome his debilitating PTSD.
AI therapy enabled him to speak to a therapist via text message when he needed to. Using talk therapy through technology was the key Cowley needed. In addition, AI therapy has changed how treatment plans are designed, as mental health professionals now have the tools to get better insight and personalize their approach to each patient.
What is an AI therapist?
Artificial intelligence, or AI, therapists are computer programs designed to provide counseling and other therapeutic services. While traditional therapy involves talking with a human therapist, AI therapy involves talking with a computer program designed to simulate the experience of talking with a real person.
AI therapists can provide various services, including mood tracking, coping strategies for anxiety and depression, and even relationship advice. Studies have shown that AI therapy can be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions.
For example, one study found that people who used an AI therapist for eight weeks experienced significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression. Therefore, if you are considering seeking therapy, an AI therapist may be a good option for you.
Does Mental Health Care need artificial intelligence?
Mental illness is a growing problem in today’s society. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in any given year. Mental health support is essential for those with mental illness, and artificial intelligence is starting to play a role in mental health therapy.
There are several ways that artificial intelligence is improving mental health services. First, AI can be used to create personalized treatment plans. By analyzing a patient’s historical data. AI can identify patterns and recommend specific treatment techniques.
Second, AI can be used to provide 24/7 support. For example, several alternative mental health apps use AI to provide users with immediate support and guidance, allowing patients to access their therapist at convenient times.
Finally, AI can be used to supplement human therapists. For example, some therapists now use chatbots to help patients practice CBT techniques.
Artificial Intelligent Mental Health Services and Patient Care
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that mental health issues will affect one in four people.
There is a lack of mental health professionals to care for the increasing number of patients. AI Therapy has been developed to help patients with mental health problems without needing a human therapist.
Artificial intelligence improves mental health therapy by providing new treatment techniques that are more effective than traditional methods.
For example, some AI-based mental health therapies use virtual reality to help patients confront their fears and learn new coping mechanisms. This can be a very effective way to treat mental illness, as it allows patients to practice in a safe and controlled environment.
Another way that AI is improving mental health therapy is by providing more personalized care. AI-based mental health support systems can provide highly personalized treatment recommendations by analyzing patient medical history, lifestyle, and social media activity data. This means that patients can get the specific help they need to recover from mental illness.
Finally, AI-based mental health care support systems can improve mental health therapy by providing more access to care. By providing mental health support online, these systems make it easier for people to get the help they need regardless of their location or schedule.
This can be a particularly valuable tool for people living in rural areas or with limited access to mental health support services.
Artificial intelligence is improving mental health therapy in many ways, making it more effective and accessible to those who need it most.
Machine learning contribution to mental health services
Machine learning algorithms are being used to develop applications that can detect the emotional state of prospective clients and provide personalized care recommendations.
In addition, these applications can also be used to monitor progress and track changes in patients’ emotional states over time. While there is still much to learn about how the long-term efficacy of applying artificial intelligence in mental healthcare, early research suggests that these applications have the potential to provide valuable support for those dealing with mental health issues.
Mental health professionals responded to artificial intelligence
In recent years, mental health care professionals have increasingly turned to artificial intelligence for help in diagnosing and treating mental disorders.
Proponents of this technology argue that it can provide a more objective perspective than human clinicians and can be used to identify patterns that would otherwise be difficult to discern.
However, some mental health professionals are skeptical of artificial intelligence, arguing that it could ultimately lead to the dehumanization of mental health care. Consequently, the use of artificial intelligence in mental health is controversial, causing mental health professionals to be divided on the issue.
Ultimately, only time will tell whether artificial intelligence will be embraced or rejected by the mental health community. In the meantime, mental health professionals will continue to debate the pros and cons of this potentially groundbreaking technology.
Is AI Therapy Accurate?
AI therapy is constantly evolving to include more accurate diagnoses. In addition, technology can continually learn faster than a human. So although trusting technology can seem scary, there is very little to worry about when it comes to AI algorithms.
AI therapy has been shown to diagnose and treat patients more accurately than traditional therapists. This is because technology can analyze data quicker and better than a human mind or a team of scientists.
Furthermore, AI therapy can connect the dots between a patient’s symptoms and medical history more quickly than a traditional therapist can. And can also do this without biases or prejudices, whereas humans aren’t always able to be 100% impartial.
Ieso’s natural language processing technology quickly identifies conversations between patients and therapists. This, in turn, allows the technology, or a traditional therapist, to promptly place any disorder from which a patient may be suffering.
The NLP further allows AI therapy to understand the patients in a way that traditional therapists cannot always get right.
The development of AI therapy has pushed traditional psychology studies forward. For example, we now can understand why specific methods of talk therapies work while others fail to assist the patient. The technology can also detect a warning sign a patient may give off and recommend a course of action to a therapist.
AI therapy use cases have proven to significantly reduce depression and anxiety, according to Erin McNemar and a clinical study conducted by Stanford University.
Mental Disorders are the most costly condition in the United States
In 2017, the National Institutes of Mental Health reported that nearly a quarter of Americans have a mental illness. Mental illnesses reduce one’s quality of life and increase the cost of health care services.
The CDC estimates 73.8% of all healthcare spending in the U.S. According to data released in 2022, mental health became the US’s most cost-intensive service and surpassed heart diseases.
These disorders often require professional treatment and can lead to absenteeism from work, decreased productivity, and increased use of emergency services. In addition, mental illness can cause or worsen physical health problems.
For example, the British heart foundation identified that people with depression are more likely to develop heart disease. Furthermore, a team of researchers identified and published in science daily that those with anxiety disorders are at increased risk for gastrointestinal problems.
Treatment for mental illness can be costly, but it is often effective in reducing symptoms and improving functioning. With proper treatment, many people with mental illness can lead productive, fulfilling lives.
How Much Does AI Therapy Cost?
Another significant advantage of AI therapy is that the technology costs significantly less than traditional therapy. This now makes mental health care accessible to millions of people who may have had difficulty getting the help they needed because of the cost of conventional treatment.
Various AI Therapy pricing plans are available. The cost of the most common plan is about $150. This gives you six months of unlimited access to the technology and (WHO PROVIDES THIS) online assessments and exercises to help you grow through your therapy experience.
The Drawbacks Of using AI for patient TherapyÂ
Despite the overwhelming evidence that AI therapy can significantly improve the landscape of mental health care, there are still some drawbacks to the technology. For example, human monitoring is still essential to ensure the technology works correctly.
Therefore, mental healthcare professionals must understand the technology expertly, as healthcare professionals and tech experts will need to work together.
As AI therapy is a technology, it can overlook social variables affecting the patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan. For example, it’s possible for AI therapy to not take into consideration that the patient may not have access to the medicine that it is recommending.
Another limitation is privacy laws, which rightfully will restrict doctors’ access to a patient’s medical information stored on an AI therapy technology database. So again, this could be a factor limiting the technology’s ability to facilitate medical practices.
While AI therapy is drastically changing the face of mental health care, it can lead to unemployment and make several jobs redundant. In addition, as AI therapy is cheaper and more accessible, traditional therapists who cannot keep up with the times face the risk of losing their jobs.
Although, therapists who have established a loyal client base will not have to worry about this. There are still social consequences of introducing a technology that can do the job of thousands of people better and more accurately.
Another drawback to AI therapy is that personal and confidential data can be leaked through a cyber security breach. Despite massive improvements in cyber security, there is always a risk that hackers will be able to leak or hold personal information hostage.
Over time, cyberattacks can begin to use AI to create smarter, personal attacks. However, technology experts have been working tirelessly to reduce this risk.
Round Up
The rise of AI therapy is an exceptional feat of the 21st century that will forever change how mental health care can be accessed.
The technology has already been shown to decrease depression and anxiety disorders significantly. In addition, it has enabled millions more people than ever before to access the mental health care they need.
