Who's willing to lay on the virtual couch? Attitudes, anthropomorphism and need for human interaction as factors of intentions to use chatbots for psychotherapy

Abstract Background The rising demand for psychotherapy exceeds therapist availability, often due to financial or physical proximity constraints. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly through chatbots, presents a promising solution, having shown efficacy in enhancing mental health. Aims This study investigated the psychotherapeutic relationship in the context of using chatbots for psychotherapy, in which the intimate and emotionally involving nature of the relationship might render the need for human interaction a strong deterrent to people's acceptance of anthropomorphised chatbots. Methods This study included four hundred ninety‐four participants, aged 15 to 69 years ( M = 22.77; SD = 8.43); 75.1% of them were females. They completed scales that measure attitudes towards the use of chatbots in psychotherapy, AI and seeking professional psychological help, need for human interaction in psychotherapy, importance of anthropomorphic qualities and intentions to use chatbots in psychotherapy. Results Individuals' engagement in using chatbots in psychotherapy is related to their attitudes towards chatbots and towards AI in general, not only to the importance that they place on chatbots having anthropomorphic traits, but also to the strength of their needs for human interaction in the psychotherapeutic relationship. Conclusion Technology can enhance the psychotherapeutic process, but should not replace therapists entirely for people who seek psychological assistance.