We’re witnessing something unprecedented in the history of mental healthcare. For decades, critics argued that artificial intelligence could never match human empathy or genuine emotional connection. Today, that argument has been turned on its head—not because AI has become more human, but because humans are increasingly being measured against machine standards.
The Numbers Tell a Stunning Story
The AI therapy market has exploded beyond all predictions. In 2025, we’re looking at a $2 billion industry growing at 34.3% annually, with 22% of U.S. adults now using AI therapy apps. More striking still: over 50% use ChatGPT specifically for mental health support.
But here’s what should give us pause: recent research shows that AI consistently outperforms human therapists in perceived empathy and compassion. When third-party evaluators assess therapeutic interactions, they rate AI responses as more understanding, more patient, and more emotionally attuned than their human counterparts.
This isn’t a story about AI becoming more human. It’s about humans being found wanting when measured against artificial standards.
The Cybernetic Colonization of Therapy
The roots of this transformation stretch back to the 1940s, when engineers developed servomechanisms—self-regulating systems that would ask themselves, “How did I do?” and adjust accordingly. This feedback loop model, originally designed for target-seeking missiles, has systematically infiltrated human consciousness.
Today, we live in a world of constant performance evaluation. Every interaction prompts the question: “How could I have done better?” We’ve internalized the very processes that machines were supposed to mimic. In therapy, this manifests as both therapists and clients comparing themselves to AI baselines—and often finding themselves lacking.
Consider this scenario: A friend recently admonished me for my brief response to their emotional crisis, simultaneously showing me how an AI chatbot had provided a more empathetic reply. The AI had become the gold standard for care, not the human.
The Authenticity-Effectiveness Paradox
This raises a profound question that the therapeutic community is grappling with: Does authenticity matter if effectiveness doesn’t require it?
The research is increasingly clear that AI therapy delivers measurable results. Studies show 64% improvement in depression symptoms compared to control groups. Patients report feeling understood, validated, and cared for by AI therapists. The 24/7 availability and consistent responses address many limitations of traditional therapy.
Yet something crucial is being lost. When humans form “strong therapeutic relationships” with AI…keep reading on Substack.