Employed of artificial intelligence applications in mental health and psychotherapy: Reality and challenges

Abstract

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) and psychotherapy. It focused particularly on impact of AI on remote therapeutic relationships, professional roles between therapist and patient, digital monitoring methods, and the transmission of emotional and sensory cues in psychotherapeutic processes. Simultaneously, it identifies potential challenges to ethical clinical integrity in this field. Moreover, it highlighted the benefits of AI applications, confirming previous studies that demonstrate it as a complementary technological tool that enhances, rather than replaces, human therapeutic practice in diagnostic, preventive, counseling, and therapeutic interventions. The researcher recommends the urgent need to strengthen human oversight of AI use in mental health and psychotherapy. This is a crucial step to harnessing its full positive potential and minimizing its negative impacts while upholding the ethical values and standards of the psychology profession, especially in the digital age.