The British Affiliation for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is warning concerning the rising dangers of youngsters utilizing AI instruments reminiscent of ChatGPT for psychological well being recommendation.
Its new survey revealed that greater than a 3rd (38%) of therapists working with below 18s have purchasers searching for psychological well being steering from AI platforms. And virtually one in 5 (19%) therapists reported youngsters receiving dangerous psychological well being recommendation.
Therapists have advised the BACP that some AI instruments are offering probably dangerous and deceptive data together with encouraging youngsters to self-diagnose circumstances reminiscent of ADHD and OCD, reinforcing avoidance behaviours and mechanically validating their emotions no matter what they specific. There have additionally been tragic circumstances the place AI instruments have given dangerously misguided recommendation and even inspired suicide.* Therapists are additionally significantly involved about AI’s incapacity to supply real-time assist or intervene in disaster conditions.
Ben Kay, Director at BACP, which is the biggest skilled physique for counselling and psychotherapy within the UK and has greater than 70,000 members, mentioned:
“It’s alarming that youngsters are more and more having to show to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for psychological well being assist, typically unable to inform whether or not the recommendation they’re getting is protected and even true. Some have already suffered devastating penalties. And that is possible simply the tip of the iceberg, with many extra youngsters struggling in silence, with out entry to actual remedy.”
“We would like mother and father, carers, and younger folks to grasp that utilizing AI for psychological well being assist isn’t the straightforward, protected, or fast repair it would look like, there are actual dangers concerned, and it should be approached with warning. Whereas AI is accessible and handy, it may’t replicate the empathy, connection, or the protection of remedy delivered by an actual individual educated to grasp complicated psychological well being challenges and assess dangers. Youngsters in misery might be left with out correct skilled assist. The knowledge shared with AI additionally doesn’t have the identical protections as remedy. “
“Too many younger individuals are turning to AI as a result of they’ll’t get the psychological well being assist they want. That’s unacceptable. The federal government should step up and make investments now in actual, skilled remedy by the NHS, faculties, and neighborhood hubs. No younger individual ought to ever be compelled to show to a chatbot for assist. AI would possibly fill gaps, however it may by no means change the human connection that adjustments lives. Younger folks deserve greater than algorithms, they deserve professionally educated therapists who pay attention.”
New survey findings
The BACP’s annual Mindometer survey, which gathered insights from practically 3,000 practising therapists throughout the UK, exhibits that greater than 1 / 4 (28%) of therapists – working with each adults and kids – have had purchasers report unhelpful remedy steering from AI. And virtually two-thirds (64%) of therapists mentioned that public psychological well being has deteriorated since final 12 months, with 43% believing AI is contributing to that decline.
Senior accredited therapist Debbie Keenan who works at a secondary college and has her personal non-public apply in Chepstow, added:
”I’m positively seeing extra youngsters and younger folks turning to AI to hunt remedy recommendation and self-diagnosis circumstances reminiscent of ADHD and OCD. This raises actual considerations for me. As superior as AI is, it merely can not do that. It additionally can not inform if a toddler is distressed, dysregulated or in peril. If a toddler was telling me that they had been going to harm themselves, or that they had suicidal ideation, assist can be in place for that little one earlier than they left my room- however would AI do that?
“Moreover, I’m additionally involved concerning the present threat of youngsters isolating and disconnecting from actual human relationships – this may result in an over reliance on Al for emotional assist and improve emotions of loneliness, making it tougher to succeed in out for ‘actual life’ assist.
“I imagine youngsters are more and more turning to AI for remedy as a result of it’s obtainable 24/7. It feels non-judgemental and affords a way of privateness. Nevertheless, AI remembers knowledge, it isn’t certain by moral or confidentiality requirements, and it lacks regulation or accountability. Whereas it might fill the hole in entry to psychological well being assist, it can not change human connection or recognise delicate emotional cues like a educated psychotherapist can.”
Amanda MacDonald, BACP registered therapist who gives assist for youngsters, teenagers and adults mentioned:
“AI remedy bots are likely to undertake one among two approaches: providing validation or offering options. Each lack the nuance of actual remedy and threat giving recommendation that contradicts finest practices for emotional misery. For instance, some AI instruments have suggested people with OCD to proceed their compulsions, mistaking short-term aid for progress. Others have inspired avoidance of tension triggers, which can really feel useful initially however can worsen anxiousness over time by reinforcing avoidance behaviours.
“There have additionally been well-documented, tragic circumstances the place AI instruments have given dangerously misguided recommendation and even inspired suicide – outcomes which can be each devastating and deeply alarming.
“Mother and father and carers must be conscious that their youngsters could also be turning to AI for steering and recommendation. Whereas it’s essential to maintain applicable parental controls in place, open and trustworthy communication at house is simply as important. Speak to your youngsters with curiosity and share your considerations in an age-appropriate means.
“Youngsters and adolescents aren’t but outfitted to completely assess threat, so mother and father play a vital position in protecting them protected. Balancing privateness with security is rarely simple, however with out that stability, younger folks can change into overly reliant on what’s in the end a really good algorithm; one which lacks the moral and safeguarding requirements present in helplines, remedy, or school-based assist.
“Reaching for his or her telephones once they’re upset feels pure for a lot of younger folks, particularly as AI instruments can appear supportive and validating. This creates a beneficial alternative for households to speak about their relationship with telephones and expertise. Mother and father may help by modelling wholesome behaviour – setting shared screen-free instances and recognising once they themselves instinctively flip to their telephones. In any case, telephones had been designed to attach us, but when we’re not cautious, they’ll begin to change actual human connection.”
References:
All figures are from BACP’s annual Mindometer survey of its members. The full pattern measurement was 2,980 therapists, and fieldwork was undertaken between 3 – 17 September 2025. The survey was carried out on-line.