This is an early access version
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a novel tool in enhancing psychotherapy, particularly for adolescents. The integration of AI-based platforms into mental health care promises improved accessibility, personalized interventions, and support for therapeutic processes. We aimed to evaluate the usability, safety, and preliminary effectiveness of a novel AI-assisted psychotherapy intervention in adolescent populations, with a focus on ethical considerations, user profiles, and limitations. We conducted a theoretical analysis of AI integration in psychotherapy, focusing on its potential application among adolescents, current ethical debates, and user patterns, particularly in post-pandemic contexts. Adolescents aged 16–25 years, who are highly immersed in digital environments, appear to be most open to using AI platforms for psychological support. The use of AI may enhance therapeutic access; however, limitations include a lack of emotional intelligence, reduced therapist involvement, and vulnerability to unethical data usage. Concerns also arise regarding the commodification of mental health through commercially driven AI applications. AI-supported psychotherapy for adolescents holds great potential but must remain adjunctive and ethically grounded. Further empirical research is necessary to ensure the safety, therapeutic efficacy, and ethical integrity of AI technologies in psychiatric care.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.