12/29/2025
AI & Mental Health: Help, Harm Or A Dangerous Middle Ground?
Artificial intelligence is now part of the mental health conversation whether clinicians like it or not. Patients are using AI chatbots to vent, problem-solve and self-diagnose. Some report feeling understood. Others feel falsely reassured. The reality sits somewhere in the middle.
AI can provide immediate access, language support, journaling prompts and basic psychoeducation. For individuals who feel isolated or hesitant to seek care, that accessibility can feel life-saving. However, AI does not assess risk accurately, cannot read nuance and does not carry legal or ethical accountability when advice goes wrong.
The danger is not that AI exists. The danger is when it replaces professional evaluation, delays treatment or reinforces distorted thinking without correction. Algorithms do not recognize suicidality, mania, trauma responses or medication side effects the way a trained clinician does.
AI should be viewed as a tool, not treatment.
Used correctly, it can support reflection and skill-building. Used incorrectly, it creates false confidence and clinical blind spots.
Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatments Still Matter
• Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations
• Medication management with monitoring
• Psychotherapy (CBT, trauma-informed
approaches)
• Treatment for depression, anxiety, ADHD &
mood disorders
• Advanced interventions for treatment-resistant
depression when indicated
Technology will continue to evolve. Human judgment, clinical experience and accountability remain irreplaceable.
If symptoms are impacting daily functioning, AI is not enough. Care should involve a licensed professional who can assess risk, diagnose accurately and treat appropriately.
Reference:
Torous, J., Bucci, S., Bell, I. H., et al. (2021). The growing field of digital psychiatry: Current evidence and the future of apps, social media, chatbots, and virtual reality. World Psychiatry, 20(3), 318–335.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Send A Referral Or Make A Patient Appointment:
Call: 800.461.9533
Email: admin@benchmarkpsychservices.com
✅Medication Evaluation & Management
✅Genetic Testing For Ideal Med Therapy
✅Individual Psychotherapy
✅EsKetamine Nasal Spray For Treatment
Resistant Depression
✅TMS For Treatment Resistant Depression,
OCD, Smoking Cessation - COMING
MARCH 2026
✅GLP-1s/Peptides Infused With B Vitamins For
Weight Management & Wellbeing
✅Mental Skills For Athletes
Professionals, Entrepreneurs & Students:
🎯Join Our Weekly Mentorship Group For
PMHNPs:
info@benchmarkpsychservices.com
🎯PMHNP Student Preceptorships:
admin@benchmarkpsychservices.com
https://benchmarkpsychservices.com/continuing-education
🎯Hiring, Apply For A Clinical Professional
Position (Therapists & PMHNPs):
admin@benchmarkpsychservices.com
🎯Our CEO’s FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16YjExKBj3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🎯Our Facebook Group For PMHNPs:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DpHpUbRNY/?mibextid=wwXIfr
More Information:
benchmarkpsychservices.com
benchmarksportpsych.com
Outpatient Offices:
🧭Orland Park, IL
🧭Boca Raton, FL
🧭Sioux Falls, SD
Telehealth appointments available in:
📍Illinois
📍Florida
📍South Dakota
📍California
📍Arizona
📍Washington
COMING SOON:
💪Colorado
💪Wyoming
💪Montana