Artificial intelligence has dominated the headlines for the past two years. Every week seems to bring another story predicting that AI will replace professionals, eliminate jobs, or fundamentally change the workplace. Even on some Facebook groups or LinkedIn discussions I see those fears play out.
If you’re a counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist, or student entering the profession, it’s understandable to wonder what the future holds.
Fortunately, Deloitte Access Economics has delivered some encouraging news. In its latest Employment Forecasts report, Deloitte identified 82 occupations that are expected to experience the greatest disruption from AI. These are occupations where many core tasks can potentially be automated because they rely less on human judgement, empathy and interpersonal interaction. Importantly, Deloitte notes that the effects of AI are currently being seen more in reduced hiring than widespread job losses, suggesting AI is still largely augmenting work rather than replacing people.
Here’s the interesting part.
Counselling, psychology and psychotherapy are not among those 82 occupations.
That omission speaks volumes, I would say!
Human connection remains our greatest strength
According to Deloitte’s analysis, occupations most vulnerable to AI are those where routine cognitive tasks can be completed effectively by intelligent software. Counselling is fundamentally different. Every therapeutic conversation requires the counsellor/clinician to interpret subtle emotional cues, respond flexibly to changing circumstances, build trust, exercise ethical judgement, manage uncertainty and develop a genuine therapeutic relationship (and repair it when ruptured!). These are not simply technical skills; they are profoundly human skills.
The Deloitte report specifically distinguishes occupations that require human judgement, empathy and interpersonal capabilities from those that can be more readily automated. That should reassure every practising counsellor (and other therapeutic professional), is my firm opinion.
AI will become a helpful assistant, not your replacement
Does this mean counsellors can safely ignore AI? Not at all.
AI will almost certainly become an increasingly valuable tool within private practice and organisational settings. It can assist with administration, drafting documents, generating psychoeducational resources, organising notes, brainstorming interventions and improving efficiency. Used ethically, AI has enormous potential to reduce administrative burden. I wrote a little about that HERE.
But the therapy itself? That still depends on a real human sitting with another human.
Clients don’t seek counselling simply to receive information. They come because they want to feel understood, accepted, challenged appropriately and supported through experiences that often cannot be reduced to “data”, and to assistance from a LLM (Large Language Model). Technology can assist that process, but it cannot become that process.
A hopeful message for counsellors and other therapists
As a clinical supervisor, I often hear concerns from supervisees about the future of the profession. The Deloitte report offers a refreshing perspective. Rather than fearing AI, counsellors have an opportunity to strengthen the very qualities that make our profession valuable: empathy, presence, critical thinking, ethical practice and authentic human connection. Those qualities are becoming more valuable, not less, I would think.
As AI becomes better at performing routine tasks, the uniquely human aspects of counselling become even more distinctive. So. perhaps the future isn’t about competing with artificial intelligence. Perhaps it’s about becoming even better at being deeply, thoughtfully and compassionately human. And that’s something no algorithm has mastered.
Marc de Bruin is an ACA Level 4 counsellor, clinical supervisor (for both PACFA and ACA), university tutor, and former barrister-solicitor with over 20 years’ experience in counselling, supervision, and professional development. He is the founder of Counselling Supervision and Simplifying Life.
