Psychologists say patients use artificial intelligence in therapy sessions: survey

As generative AI becomes an essential part of everyday life, patients are increasingly introducing chatbot conversations into therapy sessions.

According to the new American Psychological Association reconnaissance Of the more than 1,200 US psychologists, 77% said they had patients who discussed using AI for emotional support, diagnosis, companionship, or other mental health-related purposes.

In the survey, 39% of psychologists reported that patients use AI to self-diagnose mental health conditions, 33% said patients use chatbots to assist in treatment, and 35% reported patients use AI as an additional mental health professional.

“Although a small number of psychologists reported that their patients used chatbots in unhealthy ways, more than a third (36%) said they had observed their patients developing a level of dependence on chatbots, and 15% reported or observed their patients developing distorted thinking or delusions related to chatbots,” the survey said.

Psychologists have also reported patients using chatbots for social purposes. 22% said that patients use AI for friendship, while 13% reported that patients engage in intimate relationships. Relationships With chatbots.

Among psychologists whose patients developed relationships with chatbots, 71% said patients discussed their mental health with the AI, while 68% reported that patients felt supported or validated through chatbot interactions. Nearly half reported positive communication with chatbots, and 41% said patients use them to promote healthy coping skills.

According to the survey, overall usage may actually be higher than reported because the survey only captured psychologists’ interactions with current patients.

The survey comes as AI companies expand chatbots and AI companions, while researchers continue to raise concerns about their effects on mental health. More than a third of psychologists reported that patients had become dependent on chatbots, and 15% reported cases involving distorted thinking or delusions.

These findings follow a recent study by the City University of New York and King’s College London which found that several leading AI models can promote delusions, paranoia and suicidal ideation, using AI x. Grok 4.1 is fast Worse performance.

“Psychologists’ attitudes toward using chatbots to provide mental health counseling are characterized by great caution regarding safety and privacy,” the previous study said. “Almost all psychologists (97%) felt that chatbots may inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors or delusional beliefs, and 94% said the current version of chatbots cannot handle cases with an appropriate amount of nuance.”

The survey also comes as AI developers face increasing legal scrutiny over the role chatbots may play in real-world harm. In recent months, OpenAI, Google and xAI have been hit with lawsuits, including a wrongful death suit against Google over allegations that Gemini fueled a Florida man’s madness. Delusions Before his suicide. This is in addition to the lawsuits filed against OpenAI related to Mass shooting In British Columbia and Accidental overdoseand a class action lawsuit accused xAI’s Grok software creates sexually explicit images of minors.

While the American Psychological Association has acknowledged that AI can help users organize their thoughts and complete professional care, it has warned that chatbots are not special and should not replace licensed mental health professionals.

“Many people — especially tweens and teens — may use AI as an affordable and accessible option for mental health counseling,” the survey said. “However, AI is not a safe or effective alternative to qualified mental health providers and must be used carefully.”