Kate Heavey BA (Hons) BACP Accredited - Couple / marriage, individual and two's counselling based in Alfold, near Cranleigh. In person, online and telephone psychotherapist. Old fashioned counselling with no Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Intelligence or Intelligence Amplification (IA) used.
Kate Heavey BA (Hons) BACP Accredited - Couple / marriage, individual and two's counselling based in Alfold, near Cranleigh. In person, online and telephone psychotherapist. Old fashioned counselling with no Artificial Intelligence (AI), ANote: If you require the use of AI in your therapy, I am not currently the counsellor for you as I have not conducted any risk assessments and I do not currently hold insurance for AI practice.
AI currently conjures up one informed word for me…. Scary!
Why my reaction to AI is currently 'Scary'!
In a world where we have a loneliness pandemic, AI Chatbots are being used to interact with, and are fastly becoming, the source for many to ask vulnerable questions to which they may feel are too intimate to ask ‘out in the world’, i.e., Am I beautiful? Am I lovable? Should I stop dating my partner? What is a healthy relationship? Am I drinking too much? etc.
Early in 2024, the first AI linked ‘death by suicide’ lawsuit was filed (Sewell Setzer III) linked to a Character Chatbot. The additional fear with this type of Bot is that AI is used for friendship and romance which brings more isolation and idolism of what relationships are.
When writing this page (December 2024), I was relieved when ChatGPT responded with the following at the beginning of its guidance when I asked ‘Can AI be my counsellor?’: -
“AI can serve as a helpful tool for certain aspects of emotional support and self-reflection, but it is not a replacement for a trained human counsellor”.
Yet, in a world where technology can be relied on as gospel, how many may be using AI for ‘advice’?
Current Communication
The 7-38-55 rule of communication (Mehrabian 1967) found that only 7% of our communication message is conveyed through words with, roughly, 38% from tone of voice and a staggering 55% through body language. With Mehrabians' two studies being conducted in 1967 we need to ask ‘are these studies still true today?’
Personally I believe communication is much challenged as so much is now only communicated by the written word (think WhatsApp, Text and Emails). Therefore, in a world of technology, we have come away from emotional connection, replying much more logically, which means words are so much more valuable, and can injure more, as invaribly we now add our own tone and body language to them.
This means the art of face-to-face communication has been decreasing over time with the increase in technology, especially phones, where people can now be ‘in’ their phone rather than ‘out’ observing and learning in the world. Could this be why mental health and counselling is so much more needed?
AI v Humans
Computers will always be more robust than humans as they are programmed to be emotional and empathic rather than being emotional and empathic. Technology is programmed through human varied learnt experience and so, by nature, technology is as fallible as humans, i.e., a subjective rather than an objective experience.
AI is instant and can talk to you whenever you want, which may be of help to some.
AI does not generally disagree with you, and there may be learnt confirmation bias / persuasion.
AI character customisation can look like you, me or whoever you want it to look like!
Yet…. AI is artificial intelligence and can never be you, me or any other person.
Does AI encourage independence of thought?
AI relationships (romantic) form a concern as if the Character Bot is updated, it may feel like a completely different person which may be unsettling (think relational attachment trauma here).
Self-trust v other trust – Bots are programmed to build trust. With humans being born with a need to trust, be liked / loved, and being Tribal creatures, this can bring vulnerability to outside influence (other trust rather than self-trust). And in children and young people, grooming may be a worry.
Benefits of Counselling with me v AI
Encouraged freedom of thought, belief and self-expression promoted in a non-judgmental setting
Promoted self-trust and autonomy (AI may ‘influence’ the more it gets to know you and use your input to influence information given to others)
Therapy focused on your goals
Advocating of ‘the Self’s’ (self-trust, self-knowing, self-regulating, etc.) rather than other dependency
Counselling is confidential (apart from a few exceptional circumstances) whereas AI keeps a record of your info
Counselling provides empathy, understanding and ‘walking in your shoes’ (with AI you can only have a ‘mimicked Kate in your pocket’ rather than ‘an actual Kate in your pocket’!)
Discovery of the root cause of why you are you (personal history), or why you create the realational two you do if coming for relational / marriage / twos counselling.
My current use of Artificial Intelligence
As at December 2024 = none! (although some of my Continued Professional Development is influenced by others using AI).
Since I started Private Practice in 2014, my notes are manual, my financial records are manual and I use a manual diary, which keeps all client information confidential.
Of course, one day this may change and I will update here if/when it does yet, right now, you, and your information, are safe with me and I can assure nothing will be on a computer about you (subject to the limitations outlined in my contract and GDPR).
As a BACP accredited member, I continue to be informed by the BACP Ethical Framework which can be found here: -
Now, the Future and Promoting Your Choice
We are all unique, special and different and this needs to continue to be held in mind knowing that AI, like people, is flawed.
The BACP promotes, 'counselling changes lives' and with me valuing you being self-governing (autonomy) my want is for you to have the therapy you need (not want!).
We know that, as life evolves, ‘what is new today will be old tomorrow’ and ‘the abnormal can become normal’.
Closing thought: Whatever choice you make; don't just 'settle' for therapy that manages your symptoms. Opt for therapy that looks at the root cause of your symptoms and helps you live healthier as you where you feel you are thriving (rather than existing). And if you feel that is AI related, go for it. And if you feel it is Kate related, do contact me.
Contact
Contact from website
Please click here to contact me directly from this website.
Email Contact
Email harmoniouscounselling@gmail.com
I will email you back the same day if a working day. Please be rest assured emails are confidential and only seen by me.
Telephone Contact
Call 07941 305511
If I am unable to answer please leave a brief message informing me of your enquiry along with your name, telephone number and when it is a good time for me to call you back.
Please note:- If your number is not familiar to me, and you do not leave a message, I will not call you back as I am aware this could be dangerous without knowing your individual situation.
My answering machine is confidential and your message will only be listened to by me.
Text / WhatsApp Contact
Text 07941 305511 to make an appointment.
If I am in an appointment I may not be able to answer you straight away yet I will get back to you as soon as I am able to.
Contemplating Therapy?
If you feel you are not quite ready to commit to an appointment please feel free to message me. I have been where you are now and I am happy to help with your transition.
"We are biologically wired for connection - when something happens along life's journey and we get disconnected, counselling helps finds a way to re-connect '’ (Kate - Harmonious Counselling)
KATE HEAVEY BA (Hons) BACP (Accredited)
INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLES COUNSELLING CRANLEIGH (SURREY). COUNSELLING PETWORTH. PSYCHOTHERAPY GODALMING. COUNSELLOR BILLINGSHURST. ONLINE ZOOM COUNSELLOR. FACE TO FACE ALFOLD, NEAR HORSHAM. INDIVIDUAL TELETHERAPY.
