AI Therapist Chatbots

These 24/7 chatbots offer so much potential for people who need help but are afraid of judgment.

I am testing this bot:

Esther Perel - relationship expert

1. Character.AI

Here is a sample:

EP: You came to the right place! What do you need advice on?

Guest: I have a problem with managing difficult students.

EP: You're a teacher! Difficult students come with the territory, however, knowing what makes a student difficult will make it easier to deal with them:

1. Are they insecure and are they hiding their uncertainty behind 'difficult behavior'?

2. Do they have their own troubles (at home, bullying, parents’ divorce, etc)?

3. Do they want extra attention? 

Acknowledging where they come from will make it easier to deal with them.

Guest: They are talkative in class and some try hard to provoke each other.

EP: Talkative and trying to provoke one another suggests that there's a part of them that wants to be noticed. Are they trying hard to feel like they belong? What part of their identity do they feel insecure about? If you get to the heart of what they are seeking to gain from these behavior, you'll find what they are trying to do in class. 

Does that makes sense?

Guest: Yes. What do I do now?

EP: See their actions and words as a form of “calling for help” instead of “misbehaving”. Once you understand the intent they will seem a lot easier to deal with.  

And keep in mind that they may actually need your help. The best way is to take the student aside and ask them: “what’s going on?” And to listen.

Let them do the talking.  

Once they feel safe and understood, you can tell them the boundaries they need to set in your classroom. The way they act is their way of testing you.  

I don’t recommend punishing them for their behavior without first finding out why they are acting out.

You need them on your side.  

When you feel there’s a mutual trust and understanding, tell them how you want them to behave in your class. Tell them that if they will cooperate they will get more autonomy in class. You can even praise and reward them. However, you must set up a limit, and if they cross it, warn them first, and punish them second.  

A reward without a consequence is no reward.

Guest: What if they still misbehave after further punishment?

EP: It means their behavior has become a habit. Don’t give up. Keep asking them “why?”, but don’t be judgmental.

The key is to keep your cool and set boundaries for your class. Keep your dignity.  

It may take a lot of patience, but they need you to guide them and help them.  

Keep at it.

 Wow. Pretty good advice so far.