Psychotherapist Bots: Transference and Countertransference Issues

Abstract

There is a rapid advancement in the development of psychotherapist bots that are based on artificial intelligence. Chatbots and robots may facilitate treatment by reducing barriers and increasing accessibility. Researchers have shown that psychological bots play an effective role similar to traditional face-to-face psychotherapy in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. Due to the rapid advancement of psychotherapy technology, therapeutic chatbots are likely to become widely used in the near future. In this context, it is essential to consider both the ethical and clinical aspects of bots and chatbots as mental healthcare improvement assistants. The first part of this abstract outlines the concept of transference and countertransference in human-psychotherapist bot interactions. In this novel form of therapy, topics like transference and countertransference need to be discussed, as well as concepts such as empathy, acceptance, judgment, and safety in therapeutic relationships. We attempt to draw attention to the need to revisit clinical and ethical issues related to the interactions between humans and psychotherapist bots.