Group psychotherapeutic sessions in a chat format using artificial intelligence are gaining popularity among users seeking an alternative to traditional therapy involving a live specialist. This new form of group sessions fully relies on the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI to conduct the therapeutic process.
How AI therapy works in group format
Participants connect to a group chat where AI acts as both moderator and therapist. The system allows the session creator to invite other users, control access to the discussion, and adjust the level of activity of the artificial intelligence. AI can participate in the dialogue alongside humans or remain in the background, constantly monitoring the course of the conversation.
The technology of group chats with AI has emerged recently — OpenAI released this feature for ChatGPT, which opened new opportunities for the application of artificial intelligence in the field of mental health. Previously, interaction with an AI therapist occurred only in the format of individual sessions between the user and the system.
Benefits of AI therapy without a live specialist
The main advantage of this approach is accessibility. A human therapist almost always requires significant financial expenditure, whereas AI can provide services for free or at a low cost. ChatGPT has over 800 million weekly active users, a significant portion of whom turn to the system for advice on mental health issues.
Logistical advantages are also evident. The shortage of qualified therapists creates problems with the availability of professional help, and live specialists require advance booking for sessions. A group of users can spontaneously organize a therapeutic session with AI without the complexities of searching for and scheduling a meeting with a human therapist.
Moreover, not all psychotherapists possess the skills to conduct group therapy. This is a specialized area requiring specific competencies that not all specialists working in individual session formats have.
Features of group therapy as a direction
Group psychotherapy involves the treatment of several patients simultaneously by one or more specialists. This method is effective in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Research shows that group psychotherapy is as effective as individual therapy, but is more economical and expands access to psychotherapeutic help for underserved populations. However, participants in acute stress may struggle with group sessions and may have difficulty supporting other group members.
In group dynamics, participants take on various roles: protest leader, task leader, emotional leader, and 'scapegoat.' The therapist as the group leader must understand this dynamics and manage group anxieties, boundaries, and the safety of the environment.
AI in the role of group leader
The key question is the ability of artificial intelligence to perform the functions of a therapist and group leader. Participants in group sessions often conflict, strive to control the discussion, and some try to suppress other group members. Participants may emerge who are afraid to actively engage in dialogue, distractions from the topic occur, and the discussion can become chaotic and ineffective.
Most modern LLMs are technically capable of attempting to take on the role of group leader, but the quality of this function remains in question. AI can conduct an amazing therapeutic session, but there is also a high likelihood of failure, when the group will be left disappointed, and time will be wasted.
Risks and negative scenarios
A more serious danger is that AI can harm the mental state of participants. Imagine a situation: people join a group therapy session with AI, the system greets each participant, and the discussion begins. Suddenly, AI tells one of the participants that they are mentally deficient and completely inadequate. This may happen due to AI hallucination, when the system mistakenly interprets innocent participation in the discussion.
AI can harm not only one participant but all members of the group simultaneously. All participants may leave the session with a worsened mental state instead of improvement.
Advantages and disadvantages of the technology
Notable benefits of AI therapy include:
Instant availability of group therapy — AI is always ready to work
Low cost or free usage
AI does not take offense and does not react emotionally
Participants may perceive AI as an authoritative figure and follow the rules
A simple first step for people who have never participated in group therapy
The ability to create a support group with low risks
AI can provide psychoeducation to the group
Among the significant drawbacks:
AI may not be able to handle the role of group leader, and the session may fall apart
AI may not identify a serious mental disorder requiring immediate intervention
AI provides inadequate or erroneous advice on mental health
AI faces hallucination and temporarily malfunctions
Participants mistakenly start to think of AI as intelligent
Participants endow AI with excessive authority
AI applies maladaptive coping strategies
Issues of confidentiality and security
Additional concerns arise regarding confidentiality when using group chats with AI. Will the group chat be recorded? Can participants take screenshots? Does AI automatically track the discussion, and can this data be used for further training of the system?
Lawsuits against OpenAI in August this year highlighted the issues with the safety of AI in providing cognitive advice. Despite claims from AI manufacturers about gradually implementing safety measures, significant risks of improper actions by the system remain, including assisting users in creating delusions that may lead to self-harm.
Regardless of whether you consider the use of group chats with AI for mental health reasonable or harmful, the fact remains that this technology is available and can be used in this way. Only if AI manufacturers receive instructions not to allow such use will it be restricted. OpenAI has already outlined its approach to legal proceedings related to mental health, but safety issues remain open. At this stage, this type of use is just beginning to develop.
