248. Should You Use AI Instead of Therapy

AI is everywhere right now—and it’s starting to show up in the therapy room, too. In this episode, Aaron and Nathan zoom out and wrestle with a big question that therapists, clients, and everyday humans are increasingly asking: should you use AI alongside therapy… or instead of it? This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, focused more on the “big picture” and the philosophical/ethical tension points. We talk about why motivation matters (for both therapists and tech), how AI can become an echo chamber or a challenger depending on what you ask it to be, and why voice, tone, and attachment needs can shape how much we trust a tool. We also explore real-world ways people are already using AI to “double-check” their therapist, make predictions about relationships, and outsource thinking—along with the risks of losing critical thinking and personal responsibility when you hand too much over to a machine. We close with a practical framing: asking “Should I use AI?” can be like asking, “Should I hand this task to someone else, or is this something I need to do myself?” Next episode, we’ll get more practical about how to use AI wisely without replacing the human parts that actually heal. Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business. *Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/uGPQ-EC9tRs *Now on YouTube: @shrink-think *Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at: https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network https://psychcraftnetwork.com/