Psychologists Say Patients Are Bringing AI Into Therapy Sessions: Survey
A new APA survey found that more than a third of psychologists have patients using AI as an additional mental health professional, even as clinicians warn that the technology can reinforce delusions.
A new APA survey found that more than a third of psychologists have patients using AI as an additional mental health professional, even as clinicians
Read Full Story at Decrypt →The revelation that a significant share of patients are turning to AI as a supplementary mental health resource—despite warnings from professionals about its risks—highlights a quiet but profound shift in how people seek emotional support. While psychologists have long been the primary arbiters of therapeutic care, the rise of accessible, always-on AI tools offers an alternative that is immediate, anonymous, and unburdened by the constraints of human schedules or insurance networks. For many, especially those in underserved regions or marginalized communities, this could represent a critical lifeline. Yet the trend also underscores a growing distrust—or frustration—with traditional systems, where long wait times, high costs, and perceived judgment can deter engagement. The broader significance lies in what this says about the state of mental health care itself. Decades of underfunded systems, a global shortage of licensed therapists, and the lingering stigma around mental illness have created a vacuum that technology is increasingly filling. AI’s role here is not just as a tool but as a symptom of a larger systemic failure. Patients aren’t necessarily abandoning human therapists; instead, they’re supplementing gaps in care, often without guidance. This raises ethical questions about the unregulated integration of AI into mental health, particularly when the technology can amplify harmful patterns, reinforce cognitive distortions, or even exacerbate conditions like psychosis by feeding distorted worldviews back to users. What happens next is unclear. Will regulators step in to define boundaries for AI’s role in therapy? Could insurers begin covering AI-assisted sessions as part of hybrid care models? Or will this remain a grassroots phenomenon, with patients navigating the risks on their own? The survey’s findings suggest a need for proactive dialogue between clinicians, technologists, and policymakers—before the gap between innovation and oversight widens further. Ultimately, the story reflects a deeper tension: as AI becomes more embedded in our lives, it forces us to confront whether we’re building a future where technology heals—or one where it merely mimics care while leaving the hardest work undone.
