Can AI Take Over Eating Disorder Treatment? Spoiler Alert: Not Quite.
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now, from writing your emails to recommending your next Netflix binge.
Sometimes I even wonder: Could AI take over eating disorder treatment too? Is the future made of robot psychologists? How are we supposed to feel in a world where our reality is often questioned?
Here’s the truth I found through many doom-scrolling nights: AI is clever, but it’s not your therapist. At least not a good one.
Fact: Eating disorders are complex. They’re not just about food or numbers; they are often tangled up in emotions, identity, relationships, and life experiences. While AI can send reminders, track habits, or dish out quick tips, it can’t look you in the eye (even over Zoom), sit with your fears, or truly “get” you the way a human psychologist can.
That said, AI isn’t useless. It can actually be a handy sidekick. Think of it like:
A pocket-sized coach that notices patterns you might miss
A late-night resource when your brain won’t switch off
A data geek helping your therapist to fine-tune treatment or help them track your progress and provide insights
But when it comes to healing, empathy, and creating lasting change, humans win every time. Eating disorder recovery takes compassion, nuance, and connection. The kind you’ll find in therapy, not in an algorithm.
Why Human Connection Matters in Therapy
Human connection is the foundation of effective treatment. It builds trust, creates a safe space to be truly seen and heard, and allows for compassion, empathy, and real-time support that no app or AI can replicate. In eating disorder recovery, especially, that genuine relationship is often what makes healing possible.
So, will AI take over eating disorder treatment? Not today. Not tomorrow. Probably never. But it might just make therapy smarter, more accessible, and more personalised.
If you’re searching for real, human support, we offer online eating disorder psychology sessions. We are based in Melbourne (but offer support beyond). We strive to bring warmth, expertise, and yes, the occasional bad joke, to the therapy room.
Because recovery deserves more than just code.
Reach out to see if we may be the right fit for you.
