There is a particular kind of silence around counselling that is easy to overlook. It is not always the obvious stigma of believing that therapy is only for people who are weak, unstable or unable to cope. More often, it appears as a quieter thought: “I should be able to deal with this myself.”

Sometimes there isn't one dramatic moment when everything changes.

Artificial intelligence is already becoming part of how people think about their mental health. Some people use AI to organise their thoughts, journal, prepare for therapy, or find words for something difficult between sessions. Others are beginning to ask a bigger question: if an AI tool can respond at any hour and appear calm, available and non-judgemental, what role, if any, should it have alongside human therapy?

Starting counselling for the first time can feel a little daunting, particularly when you don’t know what to expect. You might wonder what you’re supposed to talk about, whether there will be lots of questions, or whether you need to arrive knowing exactly what you want help with.