1 in 3 psychologists say their patients use AI as a second therapist

1 in 3 psychologists say their patients use AI as a second therapist. Here’s what they want you to know

People are increasingly turning to AI for mental health support—but its design is “antithetical” to mental health care, experts say

People are increasingly consulting artificial intelligence for mental health advice . According a new survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), as many as 77 percent of U.S. psychologists reported that their patients are using AI . Some employ chatbots for fun or companionship, but many others use them to support their mental health care—from attempting to self-diagnose conditions to helping with self-discipline. Of the more than 1,200 psychologists surveyed, 35 percent reported having patients who use AI as an auxiliary therapist.

Most of the survey respondents said they worry about potential harms the technology could have on their patients: these possible negative consequences included encouraging self-harm, providing misinformation and causing dependence on the chatbots. The survey results reflect psychologists’ understanding that current AI chatbots aren’t up for the task of providing mental health support, says Arthur Evans, CEO of the APA, “and that using [AI] for that purpose has very serious risks.”

The survey data don’t reveal how often people turn to AI for mental health support in general; they only demonstrate how it shows up in established therapy relationships. But another survey published last year by George Mason University found that 54 percent of people across age groups reported using AI to manage stress, anxiety or mental health needs and that 15 percent reported doing so on a daily basis. Other recent surveys have found that around 12 or 13 percent of adolescents turn to AI for mental support.

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In the new survey, more than a third of psychologists whose patients use AI for therapy or companionship said these individuals had some level of dependency on the chatbots. And 15 percent reported that their patients developed delusional thinking associated with the AI use.

Marie Bragg, a psychologist and population health researcher at NYU Langone Health, who was not involved with the new survey, says that her patients who are college-age or younger frequently bring up how they are using AI. Often, she says, they ask it for input related to their relationships and mental health, including to get information about symptoms.