Keep the Therapist in the Room

Artificial intelligence is changing how people find information and support. In mental health care, AI tools can answer general questions, share coping strategies, and help people locate services. Used responsibly, they can be helpful.

But mental health is not only about finding an answer. It is also about being listened to, understood, and supported by someone who can respond with care and professional judgment.

For 25 years, I have worked with people in the Philippines in different settings—from basic education to tertiary education, and from counseling and psychology programs to corporate wellness. My work as an educator, psychometrician, school counselor, psychology program chair, dean, community psychologist, and wellness and career coach has shown me that people’s concerns are shaped by their experiences, relationships, workplaces, schools, and communities.