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Older adults are surprisingly open to testing AI-generated therapy

Therapists dedicate their professional lives to helping others through some of the most difficult moments — grief, anxiety, trauma and personal crises. It’s their human touch, their ability to read emotions and their skill in creating a safe space for vulnerability that makes them indispensable.

Beyond their training, therapists excel at recognizing the unspoken — through gestures, expressions or changes in tone. This heightened awareness creates an environment of trust, allowing clients to feel secure enough to open up and share their most personal thoughts.

Robust evidence shows that the therapeutic alliance — that essential bond of trust, empathy and collaboration between therapist and client — is the bedrock of effective therapy. It’s within this space that clients feel truly heard, understood and supported as they navigate their mental health challenges. The therapist's emotional attunement makes the client-therapist relationship so powerful, where they adjust their responses to meet the client's unique needs, offering deeply personal and tailored guidance.

However, with the rise of technology, we face a fascinating question: Can artificial intelligence (AI) replicate the role of a therapist?

What is AI therapy?

AI therapy refers to using AI systems, such as chatbots or virtual assistants, to provide mental health support. They use machine learning algorithms to simulate human conversation, offering users guidance, coping strategies and emotional support.

For some people, it would be impossible to replace the personal connection with a therapist, but according to a recent Yahoo-commissioned survey, many people are open to (or at least curious enough to think about trying) these AI alternatives.

The survey, conducted by a research team at AYTM, gathered responses from 750 people with direct experience in therapy, either at the time of the survey or in the past. The survey found that 20.9% of respondents were open to AI therapy — surprisingly, 45.3% of them are over 45. This statistic contests the assumption that digital advances are primarily for younger, tech-savvy folks.

Yahoo/AYTM Therapy Study stats indicate AI therapy has a long way to go before gaining widespread interest or acceptance.

So why are older adults drawn to AI-based therapy? Quint Boa, psychotherapist and company director at Synima, offered his expert opinion on the matter. "I think there's a generational shift in the attitude to therapy. The innate conservatism and reduced stigma in older generations may be shifting as part of the cultural shift driven by books, podcasts and television shows," he explains.

For those who have an interest in AI-generated therapy, a surprising number are over the age of 45.

Christopher Norman, board-certified geriatric nurse practitioner with the National Council on Aging, agrees, adding, "Older adults may be starting to accept AI therapy because technology is increasingly a regular part of health care and daily life. The privacy and availability of AI therapy may also attract those who feel uneasy about traditional therapy sessions due to stigma or judgment. It's also convenient, especially for people who may have functional or transportation limitations."

Curious about what shapes people’s opinions on AI-driven therapy? Keep reading to discover the factors influencing their attitudes.

Changing perceptions of technology

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed digital adoption among older adults, many of whom had to turn to telehealth and other digital platforms for the first time to maintain essential services.

Boa points out, "The pandemic made it technically easier for older adults to access therapy online." This shift, paired with the widespread need for telehealth, pushed older individuals to adopt virtual mental health tools. While they were once seen as unfamiliar and intimidating to some individuals, digital platforms have become a regular part of daily life for people of all ages.

Norman expands on this, adding, "Older adults may be starting to accept AI therapy because technology is increasingly a regular part of health care and daily life." In fact, many older adults now use a range of technologies, from video conferencing software to fitness trackers and other devices, to support their health. As AI tools become more familiar, they also offer privacy and ready availability, two factors that may appeal to older individuals.

The pandemic, therefore, didn't just push older generations to adopt digital health services temporarily — it also opened up new possibilities for their engagement with AI-based mental health care and challenged the assumption that older generations are less inclined to embrace technology. As Boa explains, "My mother is 93 and is very active on various online forums. There's a 'silver surfer' cohort that's very comfortable being online." This willingness to stay engaged with technology reflects a broader shift, with many older adults adopting a mindset of "lifelong learning" and curiosity.

This trend goes hand in hand with the growing activity and health of the over-65 demographic, which is now more integrated into the workforce and leading fuller lives well into retirement. As technology becomes central to daily life for all age groups, it's crucial to modernize perceptions of aging. Rather than assuming older adults face limitations, efforts should be focused on tailoring technology, such as digital health, to meet their specific needs.

Moreover, older individuals often value self-reliance, and tools like ChatGPT empower them to navigate complex medical information independently. As Boa adds, "It empowers them to figure out for themselves why they might be feeling a certain way without recourse to a therapist."

Financial and logistical considerations

AI-driven mental health care offers a more budget-friendly alternative to traditional therapy, which can be financially prohibitive and often lacks full insurance coverage. For older adults on fixed incomes, this affordability is especially appealing as it offers much-needed mental health care without the financial strain of regular therapy.

As Boa notes, "The combined costs of therapy and transportation really add up." AI therapy reduces many of these expenses by minimizing the need for frequent in-clinic visits and offering accessible support from the comfort of home. "AI therapy can provide essential mental health support without the financial burden," he adds.

Norman emphasizes this point further, explaining that "for many older adults with physical limitations, getting to a therapist’s office can be difficult." AI therapy removes this obstacle, providing instant access to care regardless of physical capabilities or geographic location. This convenience not only saves money but also makes consistent mental health care far more attainable for those who may otherwise struggle to get the help they need. By lowering the financial and logistical barriers, AI therapy can reach those who might otherwise forego treatment.

One survey respondent shared why he would consider trying AI-generated therapy.

Emotional comfort and anonymity

Research consistently shows that stigma is a significant barrier preventing older adults from seeking mental health support. The fear of judgment or concern over "what others might think" often deters people from accessing the help they need.

For many, AI therapy offers a unique sense of emotional comfort due to its impersonal and anonymous nature. Norman explains, "Many people might appreciate how AI therapy is impartial and anonymous, allowing them to talk about private matters without fear of bias or judgment from a human therapist."

Boa supports this idea, adding, "Shame and embarrassment are killers when it comes to mental health. Many presenting problems have components that people struggle to admit to themselves, never mind another person. They would rather 'stoically' carry on than admit to them." He further illustrates this with the example of substance misuse, noting that "it's not unusual to find the diaries of the deceased filled with self-recrimination and self-loathing around their behavior, but they dare not admit it even to their closest friends or family." This highlights how AI could be a safer outlet for discussing deeply personal issues.

"Furthermore, there may be events that they do not want to disclose," Boa adds. "Classically, veterans don’t speak to anyone about their experiences. It might be easier — and there's an argument to say it is actually therapeutic — to talk to GPT about past experiences."

For older generations, many of whom grew up in a time when discussing mental health was less accepted or even taboo, the anonymity of AI therapy offers a novel opportunity. It allows them to confront long-standing emotional concerns in a less intimidating environment than traditional therapy settings.

AI therapy doesn't appeal to everyone

Despite the growing interest in AI therapy, the majority of the survey respondents — 69.9% — said they wouldn't try AI or chatbot-based therapy. This reluctance could be due to several factors.

Firstly, the lack of human connection. Therapy is inherently relational, and people may feel that AI, no matter how advanced, simply cannot replicate the nuance, warmth and deep understanding that come with human interaction.

Trust is also a significant concern, especially with rising fears about privacy and data security surrounding personal mental health information. People may be hesitant to share intimate details with virtual platforms, worried that their data could be used for purposes beyond therapy or shared with third parties.

Fears of digital breaches and data leaks further fuel this hesitation. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged BetterHelp, a popular online therapy platform, with violating consumer trust by sharing sensitive client information, including therapy details, with advertising platforms like Facebook and Snapchat, despite assurances of confidentiality.

Then, there's also the issue of technical literacy. Complex interfaces, perceived or real technological challenges and fear of technical failures might make many feel excluded from or overwhelmed by the idea of digital therapy.

In the end, while AI therapy is gaining traction, it's clear that human connection and trust remain at the heart of the therapeutic process for the majority.

The take home

As technology reshapes health care, AI-driven therapy presents opportunities and challenges. For many older adults, the accessibility, affordability and privacy of AI-based mental health care offer a compelling alternative to traditional therapy. The rise in interest among this demographic defies common assumptions about technology adoption and signals a shift in attitudes toward mental health support.

However, the survey reveals that almost 8 in 10 people still hesitate to embrace AI therapy. This reluctance underscores the enduring value of human connection in therapy, where trust, empathy and the therapeutic alliance play an irreplaceable role. Privacy concerns, fears of data breaches and the potential loss of emotional depth in AI-driven interactions remind us that, while AI can offer support, it may never fully replicate the complexities of human understanding.

Thinking about exploring online therapy? Yahoo has gathered the leading choices for you, including best affordable online therapy providers, best online psychiatry platforms, best online therapy providers for anxiety, best online therapy for couples, best online therapy resources for the LGBTQ community and best culturally sensitive online therapy resources.

Content concerning mental health is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical or health advice. Consult a medical professional for questions about your health. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911, local emergency services, or 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).

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