Mental Health Coach Uses AI to Tackle Emotional Challenges

As emotional challenges often intensify during the holiday season, mental health coach Tiffany Skidmore has found an innovative strategy to navigate these tough moments: utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent reflection, she describes how AI tools, such as Claude and ChatGPT, have become essential allies in managing feelings of stress and overwhelm.

Many individuals experience heightened emotions during family gatherings, particularly around holidays like Thanksgiving. Skidmore recounts a personal experience where she felt “invisible, unseen, and unheard,” a sentiment that resonates with many facing similar situations. While she possesses various techniques to self-regulate, she acknowledges that even the most equipped individuals can struggle to take effective action during emotionally charged moments.

In a world where human support is not always readily available, Skidmore advocates for experimenting with AI as a tool for emotional exploration. She emphasizes that AI should not replace human connection or professional therapy, but rather serve as a “high-tech journal” to gain insights into one’s thoughts and feelings.

The process begins with crafting an effective prompt. For instance, Skidmore recommends asking AI to act as a relationship expert, inviting it to ask questions that facilitate self-understanding. This interactive approach has yielded several benefits:

1. AI can identify patterns and themes in the user’s narrative, highlighting factors contributing to stress.
2. It poses thoughtful questions that prompt deeper reflection on emotional drivers.
3. The AI offers a broader perspective and potential strategies to mitigate stress.

This method resembles interactive journaling, allowing users to emerge with a clearer mindset, a broader outlook, and a focus on what is within their control. While Skidmore prefers human interaction when possible, she acknowledges the uniqueness of AI in maintaining a focus solely on the individual’s experience without defaulting to common human responses like “cheer up” or “look for the silver lining.”

As mental health continues to gain prominence in discussions around well-being, the integration of technology into self-care practices raises questions about the future of emotional support. Skidmore encourages others to consider using AI in similar ways and invites feedback from those who try it.

For anyone interested in seeking compassionate and practical guidance on their emotional journeys, Skidmore welcomes inquiries. More information can be found on her website, tiffanyskidmore.com, or through her anonymous submission link at tinyurl.com/thelifecoach.