By Denise Ingenito, LCSW, Director of Clinical Services at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center

Originally Published in Schneps Media on August 21st, 2025

As the Director of Clinical Services at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, I’ve been following the rise of AI in mental health with interest and caution. Apps like Wysa and Youper are getting more popular, especially with teens. They offer things like mood tracking and mindfulness tips, and since they’re free and available anytime, they can feel easier to use than talking to a real person.

But the question on everyone’s mind is:

Can AI take the place of therapy?

At the Guidance Center, we offer a wide range of services to support kids and families. We have a variety of therapy groups for children, teens, and caregivers that promote socialization; a Wilderness Respite Program that brings youth together to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature; and home-based services that foster healing directly in the home. All these services are grounded in real, personal connection that no app or AI can truly replace.

When AI therapy came up during a clinical team meeting, some staff were concerned about its role in mental health, while other clinicians saw limited value and simply used it for administrative tasks. The team’s biggest concern is that AI can’t challenge someone’s thinking or help them work through patterns in a meaningful way. That’s a critical part of therapy; it’s not just about being heard,  but being understood and challenged.

While some teens do use AI tools to journal or vent privately, there’s no real conversation or empathy. One-sided communication might offer a moment of relief, but it doesn’t create real change.

I am reminded of a student who texted a counselor during class, saying she was thinking of hurting herself. Because a trained professional was there, we were able to respond immediately and get her the help she needed. That kind of support can’t come from AI.

Some people wonder if AI could help communities that don’t have easy access to care. In theory, this is possible. But in practice, many of the families we work with don’t even have access to reliable devices or Wi-Fi, and many young people struggle to tell the difference between helpful tools and harmful content online. That’s why we’ve placed licensed clinicians directly in schools like Westbury High School, removing barriers to care and increasing the accessibility of our services. 

This is not a case against technology. Some of our clinicians use simple digital games with kids to help them express emotions, and that can open the door to meaningful conversations. There may be a role for tech in storytelling or trauma work down the line, but it should be used as a support, not a replacement.

So, can AI be a therapist? No, not really. It might help fill an immediate need or administrative task, but it can’t replace the empathy and human insight that real therapy offers.

The more important question is how we can use AI responsibly, without losing what matters most in mental health care: relationships, trust, and real conversations.