Digital Mental Health: Role of Artificial Intelligence in Psychotherapy

Global shortages of mental health professionals, combined with the surge in psychological distress after the COVID-19 pandemic, underscore the need for scalable solutions. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly applied in psychotherapy through chatbots and online counselling tools.

This systematic review screened 95 studies and included 13 based on eligibility criteria. Most interventions used conversational agents. Evidence suggests AI-based tools provide significant benefits in reducing symptoms of common mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. They also enhance accessibility by lowering costs and reducing stigma associated with care.

Findings support the integration of AI into traditional psychotherapy to expand mental health service delivery. However, successful adoption requires addressing challenges of personalization, data privacy, and therapeutic trust. AI is best positioned as a complementary approach, supporting but not replacing human clinicians in mental health care.