Teen Says Her School Counselor Pulls Out ChatGPT During Sessions to Generate Advice, and Now She Feels Like Her Problems Are Being Handed Off to a Bot

For most students, a school counselor is supposed to feel like a safe, human space.

Someone who listens, understands, and actually thinks through what you’re going through.

That’s why this story hit a nerve—because instead of getting that, one teen says her counselor is literally pulling out ChatGPT mid-session… and using it to generate advice in real time.

a person holding a cell phone in their hand — Photo by Solen Feyissa

It Started as a Normal Support System

The OP (15F) had recently returned to a school she didn’t like and was assigned a counselor to help her adjust.

At first, everything felt fine.

The counselor was kind, supportive, and checked in weekly. It seemed like exactly what she needed.

Until one session changed everything.

The Moment That Threw Her Off

During a conversation about stress, the counselor did something unexpected.

She pulled out her phone.

Then she opened ChatGPT.

Then she typed: “Things to do when stressed out.”

Right there. In the session.

Not as a side tool later. Not as prep beforehand. But in the middle of talking to a student who came for help.

And according to the OP, this didn’t just happen once.

It became a pattern.

Why It Felt So Wrong

For the OP, it wasn’t just about using AI.

It felt personal.

She thought she was opening up to someone trained to help her think through her emotions. Instead, it felt like her problems were being outsourced to a generic list generator.

She also believed AI tends to just validate people instead of challenging them, which made the whole thing feel even less meaningful.

So instead of feeling supported, she felt… dismissed.

Not intentionally, but still.

She Didn’t Say Anything—But It’s Been Building

Even though it bothered her, she didn’t speak up.

She didn’t want to seem rude or overreacting.

But now it’s gotten to the point where every session feels off, and she’s questioning whether this is even appropriate for a counselor to do.

So she asked the internet: Am I overreacting?

Why This Story Got People Talking

Because it hits on a bigger fear a lot of people have right now:

Are real human roles slowly being replaced—or diluted—by AI?

Especially in spaces that are supposed to be deeply human, like counseling.

People weren’t just reacting to the situation.

They were reacting to what it represents.

The Reactions Were Strong (and Divided)

A lot of commenters were immediately uncomfortable with it.

User Distinct-Date-4306 wrote:
“You literally have a degree for this why we outsourcing feelings to a robot rn.”

Others felt it crossed a professional line, especially because it was happening live during sessions instead of behind the scenes.

User hidingunderyourbed- said they would report it entirely.

But not everyone saw it as extreme.

One commenter who works in schools pointed out that some adults do use AI as a tool for reflection, and that it can offer helpful coping ideas.

The real issue, they argued, was how it was used—not necessarily that it was used at all.

The Real Problem Isn’t Just the AI

Even the more neutral takes agreed on one thing:

The way the counselor handled it matters more than the tool itself.

She didn’t ask if the student was comfortable with it.

She didn’t explain why she was using it.

She didn’t adapt when it clearly felt off.

And that’s where it starts to feel less like “support” and more like checking a box.

My Take

This isn’t really about whether AI is good or bad.

It’s about expectations.

If you go to a counselor, you expect human judgment, not a copied list—even if that list is technically helpful.

And especially at 15, when you’re already trying to figure out your emotions, it makes sense that this would feel dismissive.

At the same time, this doesn’t automatically mean the counselor is incompetent.

It might just mean she’s using a tool in a way that doesn’t land well—and doesn’t fit what the student actually needs.

The Bigger Question

This story leaves one uncomfortable question hanging:

If a tool can generate the same advice in seconds… what exactly are people seeking when they go to someone for help?

Because clearly, it’s not just the advice.

It’s the feeling of being understood.

And that’s the part no tool can fake if it’s not delivered the right way.

Willow and Hearth