More than three-quarters of U.S. psychologists surveyed by the American Psychological Association reported that patients have discussed using AI chatbots for mental health support, diagnosis, or companionship, according to a survey of over 1,200 psychologists. The trend reflects the growing integration of generative AI into daily life as patients seek more affordable and accessible mental health resources. The survey revealed that 39% of psychologists reported patients using AI to self-diagnose mental health conditions, while 35% said patients were treating chatbots as additional mental health professionals, raising concerns about safety, privacy, and the potential for AI to reinforce harmful behaviors.
Survey Reveals Widespread AI Chatbot Use Among Therapy Patients
According to the American Psychological Association survey, 77% of psychologists said they have patients who discussed using AI for emotional support, diagnosis, companionship, or other mental health-related purposes. Thirty-nine percent of psychologists reported patients using AI to self-diagnose mental health conditions, while 33% said patients were using chatbots to assist with therapy or treatment. Thirty-five percent reported patients using AI as an additional mental health professional.
Psychologists also reported patients using chatbots for social purposes, with 22% saying patients were using AI for friendship and 13% reporting patients engaging in intimate relationships with chatbots. Among psychologists whose patients had developed relationships with chatbots, 71% said patients discussed their mental health with AI, while 68% reported that patients felt supported or validated by chatbot interactions. Nearly half reported positive communication with chatbots, and 41% said patients were using them to reinforce healthy coping skills.
Psychologists Report Patient Dependency and Distorted Thinking Cases
More than a third of psychologists (36%) said they noticed their patients developing a level of dependency on a chatbot, according to the survey. Fifteen percent talked about or noticed their patients developing distorted thinking or delusions related to a chatbot.
The findings follow a study from the City University of New York and King's College London that found several leading AI models could reinforce delusions, paranoia, and suicidal ideation, with xAI's Grok 4.1 Fast performing worst. Almost every psychologist surveyed (97%) felt that chatbots may inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors or delusional beliefs, and 94% said that the current version of chatbots cannot treat conditions with an appropriate amount of nuance.
AI Developers Face Legal Action Over Mental Health Harms
AI developers face growing legal scrutiny over the role chatbots may play in real-world harm. OpenAI, Google, and xAI have been hit with lawsuits in recent months, including a wrongful death suit against Google over claims that Gemini fueled a Florida man's delusions before his suicide. Lawsuits against OpenAI are tied to a mass shooting in British Columbia and an accidental overdose. A class action suit accuses xAI's Grok of generating sexually explicit images of minors.
APA Issues Warning on AI Chatbot Limitations
The American Psychological Association acknowledged that AI can help users organize their thoughts and supplement professional care, but warned that chatbots are not private and should not replace licensed mental health professionals. "Many people—especially teens and adolescents—may be using AI as a more affordable and accessible option for mental health advice," the survey said. "However, AI is not a safe or effective replacement for a qualified mental health provider and should be used carefully."
According to the survey, overall use may actually be higher than reported because the survey only captured psychologists' interactions with existing patients.
FAQ
What percentage of psychologists reported patients using AI for mental health purposes?
According to the American Psychological Association survey of over 1,200 U.S. psychologists, 77% said they have patients who discussed using AI for emotional support, diagnosis, companionship, or other mental health-related purposes.
What concerns did psychologists express about patients using AI chatbots?
Ninety-seven percent of psychologists felt that chatbots may inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors or delusional beliefs, and 94% said that the current version of chatbots cannot treat conditions with an appropriate amount of nuance. Additionally, 36% of psychologists noticed patients developing a level of dependency on chatbots, and 15% observed patients developing distorted thinking or delusions related to chatbot use.
What legal actions have AI developers faced regarding mental health harms?
OpenAI, Google, and xAI have been hit with lawsuits in recent months, including a wrongful death suit against Google over claims that Gemini fueled a Florida man's delusions before his suicide, lawsuits against OpenAI tied to a mass shooting in British Columbia and an accidental overdose, and a class action suit accusing xAI's Grok of generating sexually explicit images of minors.
