JMIR AI
Perceived Support Is Not Psychological Change: Reframing AI Chatbots in Mental Health Care
Abstract AI chatbots are increasingly used for emotional support, often outside formal care. Emerging evidence suggests that generative systems may produce modest reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Yet a change in symptoms alone does not clarify the nature of the process involved. This viewpoint argues that chatbot interactions may primarily operate through structured mirroring and self-reflection rather than through the intersubjective engagement that underpins therapeutic transformation. We propose …