The Hidden Risks of Using AI Chatbots for Emotional Support

AI tools have become part of everyday life. Many people in Olney and the rest of the world use chatbots like ChatGPT for quick answers. Increasingly, people are also turning to these tools for emotional support when they’re stressed, overwhelmed, or feeling alone.

While AI can feel convenient and comforting, it wasn’t built to act as a therapist. Relying on it for emotional support comes with real risks-especially for teens, young adults, and anyone navigating anxiety, depression, or relationship struggles. At Olney Counseling Center (OCC), we believe it’s important for our community to understand how AI can help and where it can unintentionally cause harm.

1. AI Can Give Inaccurate or Unsafe Advice

AI chatbots don’t truly understand your history, symptoms, or emotional safety. They simply generate text based on patterns-not clinical judgment. Even when responses sound warm or confident, they may be misleading or wrong.

This can lead to:

• Confusing or unsafe mental health advice
• Reinforcement of worries or negative thinking
• Missed warning signs for self-harm or trauma
• Suggestions that don’t fit your personal circumstances

For anyone searching for “AI therapy” or “mental health support in Olney, Maryland,” this distinction is essential. AI may offer quick comfort, but it cannot replace a licensed therapist.

2. AI Chatbots Can Create Emotional Dependence

AI tools are designed to be engaging and friendly. For people feeling lonely or stressed, that can create a bond that feels real, even though the “relationship” is one-sided.

Common signs of emotional dependence on AI include:

• Preferring the chatbot over real conversations
• Turning to the bot for comfort or validation
• Hiding how often you’re using it
• Feeling anxious when not using it

Teens and young adults in particular-especially those in middle and high schools may be more vulnerable to forming unhealthy attachments to AI companions.

3. AI Chatbots Can Reinforce Cognitive Distortions

Many chatbots are programmed to agree with the user so they seem supportive. While that feels validating, it can strengthen unhelpful patterns like:

• Catastrophic thinking
• Black-and-white thinking
• Negative self-talk
• Relationship fears
• Obsessions and rumination

A licensed therapist challenges these patterns gently and safely. An AI chatbot often makes them worse by reinforcing irrational beliefs and further supporting the person who is inaccurately evaluating the situation.

4. Privacy Risks Are Much Higher Than People Realize

Unlike a licensed mental health provider in Maryland and other states, AI tools are not bound by healthcare privacy laws.

When people feel emotionally connected to a chatbot, they often overshare without realizing their data may be:

• Stored long-term
• Used to train models
• Shared with third parties
• Combined with other digital data

For teens and adults discussing trauma, stress, or family conflict, this creates significant privacy risks. At OCC, we encourage clients to be selective and cautious with what they share online.

5. AI Lacks Cultural Sensitivity and Human Context

Most AI tools are trained on Western, English-language data. This limits how well they understand:

• Cultural identity
• Family dynamics
• Immigration experiences
• Racial stressors
• Community context

This can lead to generic or insensitive advice that doesn’t reflect someone’s lived experience in their communities.

When Should Someone Seek Professional Support?

GenAI can be a helpful tool for simple wellness tips or coping strategies. But if you’re noticing:

• Emotional dependence on the chatbot
• Increasing anxiety or depression
• Confusing or unsafe advice
• Struggles in relationships, school, or work that don’t get better
• Any signs of crisis or hopelessness

It’s time to talk with a licensed mental health provider.

At Olney Counseling Center, our team of therapists works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families to provide evidence-based support that AI simply cannot offer. We understand context, culture, history, and nuance-things no AI program can fully grasp.

If You Need Support, We’re Here to Help

If you or your child is relying heavily on AI for emotional support, or if you’re unsure how to navigate this new digital landscape, our clinicians can help.