ChatGPT as Therapy: A statistical and network-based thematic profiling of shared experiences, attitudes, and beliefs on Reddit

Large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT have exponentially grown in their utility over the past few years. For example, LLMs have frequently been endorsed as a suitable alternative or adjunct for traditional therapies for persons who experience mental health problems and are seeking help. Given the existing barriers to receiving adequate mental health services, LLMs provide a unique tool that may be used as a precursor, adjunct, or alternative to traditional therapy. Moreover, prior work has indicated that LLMs may have the capability to generate therapeutic or empathetic human-like responses to users. Although there is potential for LLMs to provide benefits for persons seeking help with their mental health, relatively little is known about the views and attitudes of LLMs by persons who have endorsed using them for their mental health. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to provide a deeper investigation into the positive and negative views endorsed by persons who reported using LLMs, including ChatGPT, for their mental health.