Artificial Intelligence in Psychotherapy: Opportunities, Risks, and Implications for Mental Health Care — A Literature Review

Abstract

This concept paper examines the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into psychotherapeutic contexts, with particular attention to its implications for the mental health of adults and young adults. Against the backdrop of a global mental health crisis characterized by insufficient therapeutic resources, rising demand, and persistent stigma, AI-assisted interventions — including chatbot-based tools, machine learning-supported diagnostics, and algorithmically personalized treatment pathways — have emerged as a promising yet contested field. The paper introduces key concepts such as AI-assisted psychotherapy, digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), and conversational agents, and situates them within current psychological and clinical frameworks. Drawing on recent empirical studies, theoretical analyses, and ethical debates, it investigates the potential of AI to democratize access to mental health support while critically addressing concerns around therapeutic alliance, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the irreducible dimensions of human connection in clinical care. The paper further examines the intersection of AI and established psychotherapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and supportive counseling. By identifying research gaps and unresolved tensions, this review advocates for an evidence-based, ethically grounded, and human-centered approach to AI integration in mental health — one that positions AI as a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, professional therapeutic relationships.

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