What AI and ChatGPT Can—and Can’t—Do in Therapy and Sex Therapy

By a tech-savvy Certified Sex Therapist and licensed therapist offering online therapy in CO

You’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about AI, especially ChatGPT, being this cool new helper in the world of mental health and even sex therapy. Sounds futuristic, right? But before you start imagining a robot shrink or a digital love expert, let’s talk honestly about what AI can actually do (and what it definitely can’t) when it comes to those deep, personal conversations. This includes the kinds of things that come up around intimacy, identity, relationships, and emotional well-being.

The Good Stuff AI Can Do 💡

1. Always Here When You Need to Vent: Got something on your mind at 3 a.m.? AI is available. It’s like that friend who never sleeps and never judges, even when you are feeling overwhelmed or just need to get something off your chest.

2. Your Pocket Encyclopedia for Mental Health and Sex Ed: Need to understand what anxiety looks like? Curious about how consent works? Want to know if your experience with desire is typical? AI can offer quick explanations that are easy to understand and accessible whenever you need them.

3. Ask Yourself Some Deep Questions: AI can help you reflect by offering prompts like “What am I really needing right now?” or “How do I feel about this situation?” These questions can encourage self-awareness and help you prepare for deeper work in therapy.

4. Make Talking About Sex Less Awkward: Let’s face it, conversations about sex can be uncomfortable. Whether it’s exploring pleasure, boundaries, or shame, AI can offer a neutral space where you can start putting words to things that might otherwise feel hard to express.

5. Practice Difficult Conversations: Whether you're trying to talk to a partner about intimacy or bring up a boundary with someone new, AI can help you rehearse. Practicing with AI can lower anxiety and help you find your voice before you take it into the real world.

But Here’s What AI Can’t Do 🚫

1. It’s Not a Human or a Trained Therapist: AI doesn’t feel empathy, and it hasn’t completed years of clinical training. A helpful comparison might be thinking of a doctor who only read textbooks and never worked with real patients. That’s not someone you would trust with your health, and the same idea applies to mental and sexual health. Experience, training, and human connection matter.

2. No Diagnosing or Treating: AI cannot diagnose conditions or provide treatment. Even human therapists often need multiple sessions to fully understand a client’s situation, and that happens through rich, real-time interaction that includes more than just words. When it comes to something serious, always reach out to a licensed professional.

3. Privacy Is Not Guaranteed: While AI platforms may promise to protect your data, they are not covered by the same legal and ethical rules as licensed therapists. Your most sensitive information—especially around sex, identity, or trauma—should stay in a setting that offers true confidentiality and legal protections.

4. It Can’t Handle Complex or Painful Issues: AI cannot help you process trauma, abuse, grief, or deep emotional pain. These experiences require attuned, trained, human support. If you're struggling with something serious, a real therapist can provide the compassion, structure, and guidance you need.

5. It Might Be Wrong, Even If It Sounds Right: AI can sound very confident, even when it is giving incorrect or outdated information. It is trained on a wide range of sources, not all of which are reliable or accurate. This is especially important in areas like sex therapy, where language, research, and best practices are constantly evolving. Always double-check information with trusted professionals or up-to-date resources.

Using AI for Therapy and Sex Therapy: Friendly Tips 🎯

• Think of AI as a helpful assistant, not your therapist.

• Don’t share your deepest secrets or anything that could identify you.

• Use it to explore topics, practice conversations, or prepare questions for a therapist.

• When something feels heavy or confusing, talk to a licensed mental health or sex therapy professional.

  
  

The Ethical Stuff (Because We Need to Keep It Real) ⚖️

Your Data Is Precious and Powerful: In the digital age, your data is incredibly valuable. Some platforms use your input to improve their systems or build future tools. The scariest part is that companies see it as a resource to collect, analyze, and sell -- some even go so far to say that "data is the new oil."

That is why it is so important to understand the terms and settings before using any AI platform. Think of your data like a digital fingerprint, or like your DNA material. It is unique, personal, and worth protecting. Make sure you know where it is going and who might have access to it.

Know What You Are Signing Up For: AI is powerful, but it is not magic. It is a tool that can assist with small tasks, not a replacement for human support. Make sure you understand what the AI is offering and where its limitations are.

Bias Can Show Up in AI Responses: AI reflects the data it was trained on, and that data comes from our world, which includes societal biases. That means it may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes or give advice that does not fully consider diverse identities or experiences. Always think critically about the responses you get, especially around topics related to gender, sexuality, race, or culture.

It Can’t Feel What You Feel: AI might use warm or compassionate language, but it cannot feel what you are feeling. It does not understand the experience of being ashamed, confused, angry, or grieving. Empathy is something that only humans can truly offer, and when it comes to therapy, that emotional connection is everything.

One More Thing: Let’s Talk About the Planet 🌍

Using AI comes with an environmental cost. Running and training large language models requires massive amounts of electricity. Most of that energy still comes from fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change. As AI becomes more widely used, its carbon footprint continues to grow.

Mental health and sexual well-being are closely tied to the state of the world around us. Climate stress affects our bodies, our moods, and our sense of safety and future. If we care about mental health, we should also care about the sustainability of the tools we use. Pushing for greener technology and using AI responsibly is part of that bigger picture.

Bottom Line: AI Is Cool, but People Are Cooler 😎

AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful for learning, reflecting, and preparing for deeper conversations. They can support you in small ways and offer guidance on things you might be curious about.

But when it comes to real therapy, especially when you're dealing with identity, trauma, relationships, or sexual health, nothing replaces a human being who is trained to help you navigate those experiences with empathy and care.

So go ahead and explore what AI has to offer, but keep your therapist’s number handy. Stay curious, stay safe, and remember that you deserve real support from people who truly understand.

If you're curious about sex therapy and what working with me is like, learn more about me here or if you're ready to take a chance on yourself: schedule a free phone consultation.

Just a heads up: This blog is for informational purposes only and isn’t meant to be taken as medical or mental health advice. Always talk with a licensed provider about your specific situation.