While we’re not short on divisive topics in 2025, there are valid reasons as to why
we’re turning to chatbots for emotional support – and why people are also very
much against it. So how willing are you to embrace this new form of therapy?
With the technology developing and evolving faster than the academic community can study and publish evidence based studies on it, there’s nonetheless a
growing body of expert commentary surrounding AI large language models
(LLM) and their ability – or lack thereof – in replacing real, human, trained
psychologists.
Much like the broad reasons people use chatbots, employing them as a digital
therapist is also multifaceted. In-person therapy is prohibitive, often to the segments of society that need it most – a session costs between US$100-$300 and wait times to even see someone and hope they’re a good fit can be months, something that’s worsened following the pandemic.
Online counseling with a human on the other end of the phone or laptop is
somewhat more accessible, but a monthly subscription can be in excess of $400.
For many, however, a chatbot offers an outlet for raw, honest discussion and
reflection, which – for now – may be more beneficial than nothing.
“Chatbots can provide a sense of anonymity and confidentiality, which can
foster trust among individuals who may be hesitant to seek in-person help for their
mental health concerns,” noted researchers in this 2023 paper. “Furthermore, these
chatbots can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and make it
easier for individuals who experience anxiety when visiting therapists.”
therapist /ˈθerəpɪst/ 治疗师
While “尽管、虽然”，引导让步从句
short on 缺乏
divisive /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/ adj. 分裂的；引起分歧的；造成不和的
valid /ˈvælɪd/ adj. 合理的；认可的；有根据的；确凿的；符合逻辑的；系统认可的
as to 引出 “原因所涉及的具体内容”，比 “about” 更正式，
against 反对
therapy /ˈθerəpi/ n. 治疗；疗法
embrace /ɪmˈbreɪs/ 接纳、拥抱
evolving /iˈvɑːlvɪŋ/ v. 进化；逐渐演变；
academic community /ˌækəˈdemɪk/ /kəˈmjuːnəti/ 学术界
evidence 证据
publish… on it “发表关于它（技术）的（研究成果）
nonetheless /ˌnʌnðəˈles/ “尽管如此、然而”
a growing body of 日益增多的、越来越多的 ，比 “more and more” 更书面化
expert commentary 专家评论 /ˈkɑːmənteri/
lack thereof /ˌðerˈʌv/ “（相应能力的）缺乏”，thereof 指“ability”
trained psychologists 受过专业训练的心理学家
Much like 和…… 很像、与…… 类似”，比 “Like” 更强调 “相似程度高”
broad reasons “普遍原因、广泛原因”
multifaceted /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ 多面的、复杂的
employing them 利用、使用 他们
In-person therapy 面对面治疗
prohibitiv /prəˈhɪbətɪv/ adj. 禁止性的
segments of society /seɡˈments/ “社会群体”
session （一次）治疗课程”
a good fit：“（双方）适配、合拍
worsened /ˈwɜːrsnd/ 情况变更糟
Online counseling “线上咨询”
with a human on the other end “另一端是真人”
somewhat more accessible 稍微更容易获取 somewhat 稍微 accessible 易获取的
in excess of /ɪkˈses/（超过）替代 “more than”
offers an outlet for：“为…… 提供渠道 / 出口”，，“outlet “释放情绪、缓解压力”
raw, honest discussion and reflection “坦诚的交流与反思” raw”（未经修饰的）强调 “真实不伪装”，
more beneficial than nothing：“聊胜于无”， “有总比没有好”
anonymity /ˌænəˈnɪməti/ 匿名性、匿名状态
confidentiality /ˌkɑːnfɪˌdenʃiˈæləti/ 保密性
foster trust /ˈfɑːstər/ 培养信任、建立信任
hesitant /ˈhezɪtənt/ 犹豫的、迟疑的 , 不情愿的
individuals /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəlz/ n. 个人
seek in-person help for their mental health concerns 为自身心理健康问题寻求面对面帮助
furthermore 此外
stigma /ˈstɪɡmə/ 污名（负面标签与偏见）
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