Comment by josephg

And yet, studies show that journaling is super effective at helping to sort out your issues. Apparently in one study, journaling was rated as effective than 70% of counselling sessions by participants. I don’t need my journal to understand anything about my internal, subjective experience. That’s my job.

Talking to a friend can be great for your mental health if your friend keeps the attention on you, asks leading questions, and reflects back what you say from time to time. ChatGPT is great at that if you prompt it right. Not as good as a skilled therapist, but good therapists and expensive and in short supply. ChatGPT is way better than nothing.

I think a lot of it comes down to promoting though. I’m untrained, but I’ve both had amazing therapists and I’ve filled that role for years in many social groups. I know what I want chatgpt to ask me when we talk about this stuff. It’s pretty good at following directions. But I bet you’d have a way worse experience if you don’t know what you need.