AI for Emotional Support? I Have Three Concerns

Dr. Lodge McCammon
2 min readJan 26, 2025

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As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, some have raised concerns about the risks of relying too heavily on it for emotional support.

While these concerns are valid, they are not inevitable. When used thoughtfully, AI can be an incredible tool for self-reflection, emotional clarity, and problem-solving.

Here are three common concerns— and how to guard against them:

1. Over-Reliance on AI

Some fear that turning to AI for emotional support might weaken human relationships, reducing the need for real-world connection. They worry that relying on AI could lead to social isolation or make people less inclined to seek support from friends, family, or professionals.

How to Guard Against It:

  • Use AI to process difficult emotions before discussing them with others, reducing the tension and stress of conversations.
  • Stay actively engaged in human relationships, using AI to improve and ease communication.
  • Be mindful of whether AI is making you more open to connection — or providing an excuse to withdraw.

2. Echo Chambers

AI can sometimes reflect back our own biases, reinforcing existing perspectives rather than challenging them. If left unchecked, this could lead to a more insular way of thinking.

How to Guard Against It:

  • Approach AI with curiosity, asking it to challenge your ideas rather than just confirm them.
  • Use it as a tool for exploration — actively seek perspectives that push your thinking.
  • Be open to discomfort. If AI offers an alternative perspective that feels unsettling, take time to sit with it, reflect, and explore why.

3. AI’s Limitations

While AI can process language, reflect emotions, and provide logical insights, it does not feel in the way humans do. It lacks the lived experience, empathy, and intuition that human relationships provide, which means it may offer responses that miss the depth of true emotional understanding.

How to Guard Against It:

  • Recognize AI as a tool for processing, not a replacement for human empathy.
  • Use it to help articulate emotions, but rely on trusted relationships for deep emotional connection.
  • Stay aware of the difference between AI-generated insights and human intuition. AI’s insights are logical and data-driven, while human intuition is shaped by experience and emotion.

Final Thought

AI, when used responsibly, can be a powerful ally in emotional processing, helping us gain clarity, reduce stress, and improve communication. The key is intentionality — using it to support growth rather than replace essential human experiences. By staying engaged with real relationships, welcoming diverse perspectives, and recognizing AI’s strengths and limitations, we can use this tool in a way that enhances our well-being without diminishing our humanity.

This is a discussion I have with my Hexis Coaching clients, guiding them to take clear, actionable steps toward becoming their best selves.

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Dr. Lodge McCammon
Dr. Lodge McCammon

Written by Dr. Lodge McCammon

I am passionate about designing creative solutions to complex social problems.

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