Exploring Psychologists' Perceptions on the Integration, Challenges, and Opportunities on the Use of AI Chatbots: A Phenomenological Study

This phenomenological qualitative study explored the perceptions of psychologists regarding the integration, challenges, and opportunities presented by AI Chatbots in therapy and counseling. Guided by a main problem with six sub-problems, the study aimed to understand how AI Chatbots were perceived in terms of their functionality, ethical implications, and potential contributions to mental healthcare. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven licensed psychologists who had prior experience with AI tools in practice. Thematic analysis revealed three themes and twenty-three sub themes