Validation Gone Wrong: Why AI Doesn’t Belong in Therapy

Validation can do wonderful things for us. It can help to improve communication and understanding in relationships. It can improve self-esteem and emotion regulation for us individually when we validate ourselves. Validation feels good, no wonder it can do amazing things for us.

Unfortunately, too much of a good thing isn’t always a good thing. Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay, however, many are turning to AI to meet therapy needs. While some have found this to be helpful, it can be problematic in a number of ways. Excessive validation is one of the ways that AI can be counterproductive, and even downright dangerous in some situations.

The Dangers of Too Much Validation

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 1000 times, validation can be an amazing tool. The goal is not to outlaw validation, it’s to use it when it’s helpful and healthy. The goal of most AI tools is to keep you coming back. Disagreeing with you could prevent you from wanting to use AI which is why agreeing and validating you can be at the top of their to-do list.

While we all want to be told that we are right and doing everything perfectly, this is not always the case. Sometimes we are wrong, sometimes we need to do better. A human therapist can listen for these nuances and point out when our behavior may be working against us or not inline with our values. A bot cannot.

How Can Working Toward Yes Be Bad?

I enjoy the idea of working toward yes. It can be great to go into things with an open mind and explore ways to make things happen rather than thinking of all the ways things can go wrong. This can lead to innovation and healthier thinking. Working toward yes rather than always going toward no is great in many cases, but certainly not all.

A new Stanford study reveals that AI therapy chatbots may not only lack effectiveness compared to human therapists but could also contribute to harmful stigma and dangerous responses. AI wants you to engage and wants you to come back. Because of this programming AI is far more likely to agree with us, even when we are wrong.

If our thinking is distorted and we need help challenging unhealthy beliefs, AI can cause some real damage. It is likely to tell us that we are right, we should cut off all our friends and disappear to another country. While this may sound appealing to fantasize about, it’s rarely helpful in real life. A skilled human therapist can provide healthy validation while challenging us to improve our thinking and do better.

Therapists Who Care

While a good therapist will want you to feel validated and supported in your process they are less likely to encourage you to make unhealthy choices for the sake of agreement. In counseling you can find a safe place to explore your thoughts and feelings, finding ways to change unhelpful thoughts and unhealthy patterns. AI cannot do this for you.

Carolina Counseling Services contracts with real therapists who can provide you with the care you need and deserve. Find healthy validation and work toward yes in a productive way. If you are looking for therapy in Cameron, NC call CCS today to get started!

Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.