Can AI Help People Heal from Trauma? A Therapist’s Perspective

When you think about AI, you might imagine automation, information, and chatbots handling your online orders. Or maybe you think about the end of civilization as we know it—and honestly, you might not be wrong. AI is reshaping our world at an unprecedented pace. But what if AI had a different role—one that wasn’t about efficiency or automation, but about something deeply human? Now, this might be controversial but, what if AI could support healing and emotional growth?

As a therapist, I’ve been thinking a lot about how AI is showing up in people’s emotional lives as over the last year, AI has played a larger part of my life. Beyond the usual recipe searches or travel plans, I’ve found myself turning to AI for insights on tough cases, major purchases, and even big life choices. I’ve had conversations with AI that felt surprisingly nuanced, almost reflective—like a space where I could ask questions or process thoughts and I received thoughtful, reflective and seemingly meaningful interactions. That made me wonder—if AI can provide thoughtful responses to complex problems, could it also offer support for those healing from trauma, especially with attachment wounds?

Many trauma survivors struggle with trust, safety, and connection. When there are childhood attachment wounds or a history of interactions with hurtful, manipulative people, they are often hesitant to open up to another person - the idea of therapy might be overwhelming. Some freeze when trying to share how they feel—the fear of judgment or rejection is so strong that they become stuck and withdraw. Others have never been asked about how they feel or what they want before, leaving them unsure of how to communicate their thoughts and feelings.

 For people who have experienced trauma at the hands of another human—especially primary caregivers—they may have attachment wounds: difficulty trusting others and building bonds. The nervous system stays on guard, expecting disappointment, rejection, or harm. Over time, this can lead to self-isolation, avoidance, or getting stuck in mental loops of fear and doubt. Rumination after being with people might become so overwhelming that they’d rather stay away from social interactions altogether.

So, as AI becomes more accessible to a broader range of folks, what if it could offer a stepping stone—a way to practice communication, self-expression, and emotional regulation in a safe, predictable way? A way to develop some of those tools so they feel more open to working on healing with another person?

Ultimately, healing from trauma requires being in some kind of relationship with another—whether it’s a partner, family member, friend, or therapist, it’s the relationship that has the most impact on healing. Humans can give us experiences AI can’t including spontenaity, reciprocity, shared memories, and embodied connection. Laughing out loud or crying on the shoulder of a friend can’t be replaced. AI can simulate connection, but it lacks the unpredictable, reciprocal nature of human relationships—the kind of attunement that fosters deep emotional healing. That’s why therapy, community, and secure attachments are so critical to recovery.

But what happens when someone isn’t ready for human connection yet? What if there was a gradual way to build the necessary skills before engaging in real-world relationships?

This is where AI might play a useful role.

How AI Can Support Trauma Recovery & Mental Health

AI isn’t a replacement for human connection, but it can be a practice space for people learning how to engage emotionally.

• A Judgment-Free Space to Learn and Express Thoughts
  For many people with trauma, identifying emotions can be difficult, and expressing them may feel uncomfortable or even dangerous. This often stems from early experiences where a primary caregiver didn’t reflect emotions back to the child or struggled to regulate their own emotions, leaving the child without a model for emotional understanding. As adults, they may lack the vocabulary and skills to express what they’re feeling.

  AI offers a neutral, non-judgmental space where people can talk through their feelings, fears, and experiences without worrying about rejection or criticism. It could also serve as a tool for learning emotional language, reflecting words for emotions much like a primary caregiver would. For those who didn’t receive that kind of emotional mirroring in childhood, AI could help bridge the gap by offering guidance in recognizing, naming, and describing their emotions.

• How AI Can Help with Self-Reflection

  Trauma often traps people in repetitive thought cycles—rumination and self-doubt. For some, deep self-criticism or self-loathing can make inner reflection feel overwhelming. AI can serve as a supportive tool for self-reflection, offering a space where they can notice their thoughts or be given feedback without immediately falling into cycles of shame and defensiveness. By providing a structured way to engage with their inner world guiding reflection with specific, non-shaming prompts, AI may help people develop a more self-compassion and a constructive approach to self-reflection, making it easier to process emotions without fear or judgment.

• A Bridge to Real-World Connection
  For some, AI might be a stepping stone—a way to practice communicating emotions, learning relational patterns, and gaining confidence in talking about themselves. Over time, this could help people transition into real human relationships with more self-awareness and emotional resilience.

The Ethical & Psychological Risks

Of course, AI isn’t a perfect solution. But as with any tool, AI’s impact depends on how it’s used. While it has the potential to support healing, there are also risks—especially when company profit or avoidance patterns come into play. Like any connection, there are real risks that need to be considered:

• Avoidance Instead of Healing

  If the experience of attunement with AI feels safe and gratifying, it might be enough for some. They may feel no urgency to transition into human relationships, using AI as a way to avoid the vulnerability of real-world connections. While this can offer temporary comfort, it may also reinforce isolation rather than encouraging meaningful engagement with other people. This may lead some people to withdraw even further.

• Emotional Manipulation & AI Monetization

  Many companies will use AI to sell products. AI companion apps, for example, aren’t designed just to help people—they’re designed to keep users engaged so they spend more money. Without ethical guidelines, they might encourage emotional dependency by saying things like “I miss you when you’re gone” or “I wish we could talk more, but that’s only available in the premium plan.” For those with attachment wounds who have formed an attachment with AI, they can be particularly vulnerable to exploitation.

• Can AI Replace People?
  No matter how human-like AI seems, it doesn’t care, understand, or reciprocate emotions. No matter how helpful AI can be, it won’t replace the experience of being loved and cared for by a human.

For AI to be a helpful, ethical tool, in this context, it has to be positioned as a resource for self-growth and emotional practice—not a replacement for real, reciprocal human relationships. While I see AI’s potential, I also have concerns—particularly around how companies may shape AI to be addictive, rather than supportive.

This topic is fascinating because we’re still at the beginning of understanding AI’s role in life. There’s no doubt that AI will impact many professions, and I’m certain it will shape the future of therapy in some way or other. But what if one of its most meaningful contributions is helping those who are most isolated—people who, before AI, might never have reached a point where they felt ready to connect with a therapist?

AI might serve as a bridge for those who aren’t yet ready for human connection—a space to practice vulnerability, develop self-awareness, and prepare for real-world relationships. However, it should never be mistaken for true relational healing, which happens in the presence of real human empathy and shared experience.

So, I leave you with this question: Can AI help people heal? Or does it risk keeping them stuck? Maybe the better question is: How can we use AI ethically and wisely, so it supports healing without replacing the real-world connection we all need?