Can AI Heal Trauma? The Importance of Human Connection in Recovery with Dr Andrew Smith

1 Discussion workshop. Approx 120 Minutes in length

27th October - 7pm - Forres

Dr Andrew Smith is a psychotherapist, educator, author, artist and musician with over twenty years' experience working with people affected by trauma, addiction, mental health difficulties, and relationship challenges.

He holds a Doctorate in Psychotherapy and has taught nationally and internationally on trauma, recovery, attachment, addiction, and therapeutic practice. His work integrates Gestalt psychotherapy, developmental trauma, neuroscience and contemplative practice, with a strong emphasis on helping people move beyond symptom management towards meaningful, connected and creative lives.

Andrew has worked across the NHS, independent practice, higher education and social care, supporting adults with complex trauma and supervising and training practitioners from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Alongside his clinical work, he is developing the Trauma Recovery and Connection Programme, an integrative model that brings together psychotherapy, community, creativity and purposeful living.

An accomplished portrait artist and classically trained harpist, Andrew has a longstanding interest in the role of the creative arts in health and wellbeing. He believes that creativity is not simply therapeutic, but a fundamental human capacity that supports healing, resilience, self-expression and connection. His workshops often explore how music, visual art and other creative practices can help people recover from trauma and build richer, more fulfilling lives.

Known for his engaging and down-to-earth teaching style, Andrew combines current research with clinical experience and personal insight, creating workshops that are practical, thought-provoking and immediately applicable to both professional practice and everyday life.

Can AI Heal Trauma? The Importance of Human Connection in Recovery

Welcome

  • Why this conversation matters
  • What AI can and cannot do

Why AI Feels Helpful

  • Always available
  • Never judging
  • Endless information
  • Emotional validation

The Risks of AI Becoming a Therapist

  • Reinforcing avoidance
  • Dependency on technology
  • Confirmation bias
  • The illusion of relationship
  • Missing challenge and accountability

What Trauma Actually Needs

  • Safe human relationships
  • Co-regulation
  • Embodiment
  • Community and belonging
  • Creativity and lived experience

AI as a Tool, Not a Therapist

  • Learning and education
  • Reflection and journaling
  • Planning and organisation
  • Finding resources
  • Supporting, not replacing, therapy

Building a Real Recovery

  • Choosing connection over isolation
  • Developing supportive communities
  • Creative expression
  • Purpose and meaning
  • Becoming less dependent on AI over time

Discussion and Questions

Key message: AI can inform recovery, but it cannot provide the human connection that developmental trauma disrupted. Healing happens in relationship, community and lived experience, not through conversation with a machine alone.

7.00 pm Tuesday, 27th October. Forres Town Hall, Forres

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