Artificial Intelligence Based Psychological Support Applications: Opportunities, Limitations, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

This study examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-supported psychological support applications in the field of mental health through a multidimensional approach. The historical development and technological evolution of AI applications are presented, focusing on various tools such as chatbots, gamified therapies, avatar-based systems, and virtual reality exposure therapy. These systems have been observed to be effective in treating common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, while their impact appears to be limited in more complex cases like severe psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and substance addiction. The study also discusses in detail the clinical validity of AI-based therapies, user satisfaction, ethical risks, and data security concerns. Furthermore, it highlights the distinction between subjective well-being and clinical recovery, emphasizing the differences between short-term relief and long-term treatment success in digital therapies. The functional independence of current applications from human therapist support is questioned, and the necessity of hybrid models for sustainable digital therapies is emphasized. With the increasing prevalence of AI-supported psychological interventions, the study proposes that ethical, legal, and clinical standards be redefined and offers recommendations for the balanced integration of human expertise and technological support within therapeutic processes.

Keywords

• Artificial Intelligence Supported Therapy
• Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
• Gamified Digital Therapies
• Avatar-Based Psychological Support
• AI-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Yapay Zekâ Tabanlı Psikolojik Destek Uygulamaları: Olanaklar, Sınırlılıklar ve Gelecek Perspektifleri

Abstract

Bu çalışma, yapay zekâ (YZ) destekli psikolojik destek uygulamalarının ruh sağlığı alanındaki kullanımını çok boyutlu bir yaklaşımla incelemektedir. Tarihsel gelişim süreci ve teknolojik evrimi aktarılan YZ uygulamaları; sohbet botları, oyunlaştırılmış terapiler, avatar tabanlı sistemler ve sanal gerçeklik maruz bırakma terapisi gibi çeşitli araçlarla ele alınmıştır. Özellikle depresyon, anksiyete ve travma sonrası stres bozukluğu gibi yaygın ruhsal sorunlarda etkili olduğu gözlemlenen bu sistemlerin; ağır psikotik bozukluklar, kişilik bozuklukları ve madde bağımlılığı gibi karmaşık vakalarda sınırlı etki gösterdiği vurgulanmıştır. Çalışmada, YZ tabanlı terapilerin klinik geçerliliği, kullanıcı memnuniyeti, etik riskler ve veri güvenliği konuları da detaylı biçimde tartışılmıştır. Ayrıca, subjektif iyilik hali ile klinik iyileşme arasındaki ayrım ortaya konarak, dijital terapilerin kısa vadeli rahatlama ile uzun vadeli tedavi başarısı arasındaki farklara dikkat çekilmiştir. Mevcut uygulamaların insan terapist desteğinden bağımsız olarak ne derece işlevsel olduğu sorgulanmış; sürdürülebilir dijital terapiler için hibrit modellerin gerekliliği vurgulanmıştır. Ayrıca YZ destekli psikolojik müdahalelerin yaygınlaşmasıyla birlikte, etik, yasal ve klinik standartların yeniden tanımlanması gerekliliği üzerine terapötik süreçlerde insan uzmanlığı ile teknolojik desteğin dengeli bir şekilde bütünleştirilmesi yönünde öneriler sunulmuştur.

Keywords

• Yapay Zekâ Destekli Terapi
• Sanal Gerçeklik Maruz Bırakma Terapisi
• Oyunlaştırılmış Dijital Terapiler
• Avatar Tabanlı Psikolojik Destek
• Yapay Zekâ Tabanlı Bilişsel Davranışçı Terapi

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