The American Psychological Association was founded in 1892, partly as academic disciplines, such as psychology began to emerge, and culture embraced scientific methods to address social problems, as part of the progressive movement in American politics. This gave rise to the modern day psychotherapeutic industry, which accelerated after WWII.
Prior to this ascendance, society dealt with mental health issues in various ways, including guidance from pastors and religious leaders. Given the rise of anti-depressant usage around the world to heal mental health, it would be refreshing if people were to seek their pastors first before popping a Zoloft. I would argue that seeing a pastor may even be more useful than seeing a psychotherapist. Despite the rise in behavioral health services, such as psychiatric care, counseling and/or therapy, mental illness continues to rise.
While Bambi Francisco didn’t expect her interview with Joe Suh, founder and CEO of Pastors.ai, to focus on mental health, he brought up an interesting point: Millennials and Gen Z are turning to chatbots for therapy. She looked that up, and indeed, there are some reports out there suggesting this. Now tools, such as Pastors.ai, which are trained on sermons, are becoming equipped to provide that therapeutic counseling pastors aren’t always available to provide. Personally, she believes this is a much better path than going to a secular therapist trained on so-called evidence-based therapies.
In her conversation with Joe, they talk about a number of topics, not the least of which is the difference between human nature and tech nature. As a technologist trying to perfect the humanness of AI, Joe points out some of AI’s deficits and man’s inherent desire that AI will never care for.
Watch the full interview on our partner site: WeOverMe.
