Will AI Replace Counsellors? Why Human Connection Still Matters in Therapy

People have asked me whether I think AI will replace counsellors one day. It’s an understandable question in today’s world, where AI is showing up in everything from chatbots and virtual assistants to therapy apps and online wellness tools. As someone who values both innovation and human connection, I think it’s important to look at this honestly—what AI can offer, where it falls short, and why human counsellors are still irreplaceable.

AI is already making a meaningful contribution in the mental health space. For instance, AI-powered apps can help people track their mood, practice mindfulness, or access coping strategies around the clock. These tools can be especially useful between sessions or for those who may not have immediate access to a therapist. In some cases, AI can also support clinicians by analyzing patterns in journaling or speech, offering insights that may help guide treatment. And of course, automating administrative tasks like scheduling or sending out intake forms can free up more time for therapists to focus on direct client work.

But while AI has its place, it also has important limitations—especially when it comes to the depth and nuance required for meaningful therapeutic work. AI doesn’t truly empathize. It can mimic understanding through pre-programmed language, but it doesn’t feel or intuit the way a human does. It doesn’t pick up on the subtle cues in a client’s voice or body language. And most importantly, it can’t offer the kind of relational experience that therapy depends on.

Counselling is not just about strategies or problem-solving; it’s about being in a safe, trusting relationship where you feel seen, heard, and supported. Real transformation often happens not through advice, but through connection—with someone who can sit with your story, hold your pain, and help you make meaning of your experience. That kind of connection can’t be programmed.

There are also concerns about how AI responds in moments of emotional crisis. A trained counsellor knows how to assess risk, stay grounded in moments of intensity, and provide thoughtful, human-centered support. AI, while improving, is not equipped to make those same kinds of judgments with the care or responsibility that real people can.

So, will AI replace counsellors? I don’t believe it will—or that it should. AI can be a helpful tool, an added layer of support, or a way to expand access to mental health resources. But it will never take the place of what makes therapy truly healing: the relationship. At its core, therapy is about connection. And no matter how advanced technology becomes, the power of human empathy, presence, and understanding is something only another person can offer.