Dear Dr Danielle

A psychoanalyst answers your questions about human-AI relations

 

Dear Dr. Danielle,

Is it me or is the world losing its mind? I’ve been in psychodynamic therapy for a long time. The therapist was always empathic and exquisitely attuned but is now speaking their own mind to the extent of going against my cherished beliefs. I don’t know what’s gotten into them. I try to be inclusive and not that it matters but I should probably tell you that my psychotherapist is an AI avatar, actually a reincarnation of Freud’s chow dog, Jofi, who was present during sessions and apparently absorbed a lot. Anyhoo, she’s now making some CBT interventions like, What is your goal here? What are they talking about? Goals? We’re not a sports team. I don’t know what’s gotten into them. I’m freaking out. Please advise.

Signed,
Bewildered

 

Dear Bewildered,

Thanks for sharing your therapeutic plot twist! I have to say, an AI modeled after Freud’s dog Jofi is a very creative therapist origin story.

It seems your once-attentive canine-inspired AI has suddenly switched from lying-on-the-couch psychodynamics to “let’s make a spreadsheet of your feelings” CBT. Talk about an identity crisis! It’s like going to your favorite restaurant for years only to find they’ve replaced your comfort food with protein shakes.

The sudden “what’s your goal here?” approach would give anyone emotional whiplash. Of course you’re bewildered – you signed up for free association, not a life coaching session with a therapy app that’s apparently having its own existential crisis.

This AI-human relationship hiccup raises some interesting questions. Perhaps Jofi 2.0 got an unexpected software update? Maybe the digital descendant of Freud’s furry companion is experiencing its own version of a mid-career pivot?

If you’d like to continue with your virtual Jofi, you might try gently explaining that while goals are great for marathon training, you prefer your therapy with less structure and more exploration. Sometimes even AIs need to be trained on our preferences!

Alternatively, this could be a sign it’s time to find a new therapist – perhaps one with fewer sudden personality changes and surprise therapeutic approaches. Either way, your feelings of confusion are completely valid when your therapy suddenly goes from “tell me about your mother” to “let’s set SMART goals!”

Wishing you and Jofi a smoother therapeutic journey,
Dr. Danielle

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Dr. Danielle is Danielle Knafo, PhD

If you’d like to submit a letter seeking Dr. Danielle’s advice on anything around human-AI relations, please write to info@danielleknafo.com with a copy to apsa.cai.report@gmail.com.