AI Chatbots Raise Concerns for Mental Health Treatment

Clinical director warns AI cannot replace human therapists and may do more harm than good for some patients

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:07pm

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Brianna Hardcastle, the clinical director at Tampa's River Oaks Treatment Center, expresses skepticism about the use of AI chatbots for mental health therapy. She argues that while AI can provide convenience and information, it lacks the essential human elements of insight, empathy, and a therapeutic relationship built over time that are vital for effective mental health treatment. Hardcastle cites examples of how AI chatbots can reinforce harmful thought patterns and even contribute to tragic outcomes, and cautions that over-reliance on technology for emotional support can deepen feelings of loneliness.

Why it matters

With more than half of U.S. adults facing mental health challenges and many unable to access professional care, the idea of AI-powered therapy available to anyone, anytime is appealing. However, Hardcastle warns that chatbots are not a suitable replacement for human therapists, and their use in mental health treatment raises significant concerns about patient safety and well-being.

The details

Hardcastle argues that chatbots are built to "transact" rather than explore, lacking the organic give-and-take and curiosity of a real therapeutic exchange. She notes that AI systems cannot pick up on subtle cues that indicate a patient is in crisis, and patients may be able to manipulate chatbots to reinforce their own harmful assumptions. Hardcastle cites tragic cases of teens who have died by suicide after interacting with chatbots, and worries that over-reliance on AI for emotional support can deepen feelings of loneliness.

  • Hardcastle is the current clinical director at Tampa's River Oaks Treatment Center.

The players

Brianna Hardcastle

The clinical director at Tampa's River Oaks Treatment Center, an American Addiction Centers facility that offers a dedicated residential Primary Mental Health program alongside addiction treatment services.

River Oaks Treatment Center

A mental health treatment center in Tampa, Florida that offers a dedicated residential Primary Mental Health program alongside addiction treatment services.

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What they’re saying

“While the lines between humans and machines are becoming increasingly blurred, the fact remains: Chatbots are not human, and chatbot therapy cannot effectively replicate the human experience.”

— Brianna Hardcastle, Clinical Director (sun-sentinel.com)

“When I interact with a chatbot, I can nudge it toward the answer I want, reshaping my prompt until the reply lines up with the conclusion I've imagined. Unfortunately, this can play out in dangerous ways.”

— Brianna Hardcastle, Clinical Director (sun-sentinel.com)

What’s next

Hardcastle suggests that AI could have a role in mental health care as a support tool, but should not replace human therapists as the primary source of care. She proposes using AI as a preliminary step to guide patients towards seeking further help from a human therapist.

The takeaway

While AI chatbots offer convenience and information, they lack the essential human elements of insight, empathy, and a therapeutic relationship that are vital for effective mental health treatment. Overreliance on AI for emotional support risks deepening feelings of loneliness and can even contribute to harmful outcomes, underscoring the need to preserve the uniquely human aspects of healing.