Feeling Good Podcast | TEAM-CBT - The New Mood Therapy · David Burns, MD

Ask David: Is AI trying to steal your career?

September 29, 2025·44 min·4 clips

David Burns exposes how therapists are pushing to make AI self-help apps illegal in some states.

Dr. Rhonda Borowski and Dr. David Burns, a pioneering psychiatrist and author, address a listener's question about job anxiety related to artificial intelligence. They are joined by Dr. Matthew May, a colleague they hold in high esteem as a therapist. The question comes from Megan, a technology editor at Axios, who is writing an article on AI-induced career fears. Dr. Burns initially hesitated to answer but later provided emailed thoughts, which are included in the show notes. He distinguishes between healthy anxiety, which signals a real problem needing action, and unhealthy anxiety fueled by cognitive distortions. He shares a personal example of his son, whose user interface work was impacted by AI, leading him to explore careers in hypnosis and house painting. Dr. Burns mentions data from their "Feeling Great" app, which he says shows rapid symptom reduction, and notes some legislative pushback against AI therapy tools. The hosts critique a generic response from ChatGPT on managing such anxiety. Dr. May suggests the anxiety may stem from self-defeating beliefs like "achievement addiction," where self-worth is tied to professional output. They demonstrate the "What If" technique, a cognitive tool where Dr. Burns role-plays a programmer fearing job loss to AI, drilling down to core fears like homelessness and losing his children. This exercise reveals underlying beliefs about approval and achievement. The hosts discuss using imaginal exposure, or cognitive flooding, to desensitize oneself to these fears by vividly confronting the worst-case scenario. Dr. Burns recounts a personal story of voluntarily becoming homeless for two weeks during medical school, sleeping in a commune and foraging for food, to challenge his own fears. Dr. May shares a moment of clarity while fishing, realizing a simple life could be fulfilling. The episode maintains a conversational and educational tone, blending therapeutic instruction with personal anecdotes and light humor. Listeners interested in practical CBT tools for anxiety or navigating modern career uncertainties would find this episode valuable. Those seeking a highly technical discussion on AI's economic impact might find the focus too therapeutic.

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