Therapy in the Age of AI: How to Stay Human
Taking a short break from our regularly scheduled newsletter programming, I'd like to share with you this wide-ranging and fun interview I had with Isaac Durno on his Chatterbeans Podcast.
I recently joined Isaac Durno on his Chatterbeans podcast to discuss what it means to be human in a world that never logs off.
From Al and social media to attention spans, parenting, and imposter syndrome, this episode dives into the psychology of modern life - how technology shapes our identity, our relationships, and even our mental health.
ICYMI, don’t forget to check out the last newsletter: Mental Health and AI Part Three: The Hotel California Effect - and be sure to subscribe to receive future editions.
In this episode I share my story about how a visit from a giant centipede and a search engine transformed me from a traditional psychotherapist into thought leader in tech, and my belief that the key to surviving the digital age lies in self-acceptance, critical thinking, and embracing complexity.
A really enjoyed this conversation about who we are, who we think we are online, and how to stay grounded in between.
Don’t miss my latest GQ article Why the World Needs More Imposter Syndrome, Not Less - a column inspired by Isaac’s great question about this very subject in the podcast interview.
Key Takeaways:
“We are psychologically extended into the digital world.” •
Imposter syndrome hits hardest when we forget our complexity.
AI can imitate empathy — but it can’t feel it back.
Parenting now means teaching digital awareness.
Real growth starts with self-acceptance, not comparison.
Chapters:
02:50 - The Impact of Social Media on Self-Identity
05:51 - Understanding Imposter Syndrome in the Digital Age
08:51 - AI’s Role in Modern Psychotherapy
11:50 - Navigating Hyper-Connectivity and Attention Spans
14:49 - The Influence of ADHD and Social Media
17:56 - The Challenges of Adolescence in a Digital World
24:29 - Navigating Netflix’s Adolescence in the Digital Age
30:04 - Understanding Midlife Crises in Millennials
32:34 - The Role of Technology in Mental Health
35:44 - Self-Acceptance and Personal Growth
Also available on Spotify and Apple if you prefer to listen to a podcast on the go.
Subscribe for more deep dives into how AI reshapes our minds and relationships — and join the conversation by sharing your own experiences with AI companions or therapy bots.
Aaron Balick, PhD, is a psychotherapist, author, and GQ psyche writer exploring the crossroads of depth psychology, culture, and technology.
I loved this Podcast. Thank you Aaron. It's a while since I heard/read your centipede story and it was great to hear it again - it's funny, but also so thought-provoking. How we respond to stories... and how they influence and bias us for or against things without us even realising has never felt more important than now, with the advent of AI. It really is a great 'coffee break' pod (you'll see what I mean when you watch it!).