Artificial intelligence is no longer just a workplace tool or a way to get quick answers online. People are turning to chatbots for emotional support, relationship advice, coping strategies, and even help understanding their mental health. For behavioral health professionals, that means AI may already be influencing what clients believe about themselves before they ever walk through the door.
A 2026 American Psychological Association survey of more than 1,200 licensed psychologists found that 77% had patients who discussed using AI, while 39% reported patients using it to self-diagnose. More than one-third said patients were turning to chatbots as an additional mental health resource.
Those numbers make this more than a passing technology trend. It’s a conversation the field needs to be prepared to have.
A client might arrive convinced they have a particular diagnosis because a chatbot suggested it. Another might bring in an AI-generated explanation of a relationship conflict, a list of coping strategies, or advice that contradicts the treatment plan. Some may find these tools reassuring because they’re available at any hour, don’t require an appointment, and can feel surprisingly validating.
The challenge is not simply deciding whether AI is good or bad. It’s understanding how a client is using it, what needs that use may be meeting, and whether the information is helping or complicating their progress.
Start with curiosity, not criticism. Asking, “Have you used AI to help work through anything we’ve discussed?” can open the door without making clients feel judged. From there, professionals can explore what the client found helpful, what they believe the response means, and whether it changed their decisions or expectations.
A few practical considerations can guide the conversation:
- Explore the purpose. Is the client looking for information, reassurance, companionship, validation, or an answer they haven’t found elsewhere?
- Check the source and the claims. AI can sound confident while providing inaccurate information or reinforcing a person’s existing assumptions. Encourage clients to verify mental health guidance with qualified professionals.
- Look at the impact. Is the tool supporting healthy coping and reflection, or contributing to anxiety, dependence, avoidance, or distorted thinking?
- Reinforce privacy. Clients may share highly personal details with chatbots without understanding how their information may be stored or used. Encourage caution with identifying and sensitive information.
- Keep the relationship central. Use the conversation to strengthen trust, clarify treatment goals, and help clients evaluate advice rather than accepting it automatically.
AI is becoming part of the environment in which people make sense of their emotions and experiences. Ignoring it can mean missing an influence on a client’s beliefs, choices, and expectations. Treating every use as a problem, however, may discourage clients from being honest about it.
Why This Matters
Behavioral health professionals don’t need to become AI experts overnight. They do need to remain curious, recognize potential risks, and help clients distinguish convenient answers from sound guidance. Technology may be part of the conversation, but thoughtful human connection remains at the heart of meaningful care.
Suggested Resource: Discussing AI Use in Therapy: Read the APA resource.The American Psychological Association offers practical guidance to help clinicians discuss clients’ use of AI, explore potential benefits and risks, and navigate this evolving part of behavioral health care.