About this episode
Every day there’s a new story about how people are using AI chatbots for therapy – even ChatGPT, which was never designed for that purpose. But, as bad or weird as it sounds, could these chatbots fill a need for people who can’t afford mental health care? Dexter talks to journalist Ella Chakarian, who’s tested a bunch of these AI “therapists,” as well as a real, human therapist, Dr. Stephen Schueller, from the University of California Irvine, about the promises, dangers, and future of AI in therapy. Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc , or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky. Read + Watch: Ella’s article, Fake credentials, stolen licenses: Virtual therapists are lying like crazy to patients : https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/11/ai-chatbots-fake-therapists/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.