As more people turn to artificial intelligence for emotional support and advice, a Brooklyn psychologist is warning that using chatbots to navigate relationship conflicts may do more harm than good. David Tzall, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist, issued the caution in response to new national data showing that a majority of psychologists have patients who use AI for mental health purposes.
The American Psychological Association's 2026 Chatbots and Mental Health Survey, which polled more than 1,200 licensed U.S. psychologists, found that 77% have spoken with patients who have used AI for support, engagement, or other reasons. Nearly two in five psychologists (39%) reported patients using AI to self-diagnose, and 35% said patients were turning to AI as an additional mental health professional. The survey also found that 22% of psychologists reported patients using AI for friendship, and 13% reported patients engaging in intimate relationships with chatbots.
Clinical concerns were widespread: 97% of psychologists felt that chatbots may inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors or delusional beliefs, and 94% said current chatbots cannot treat conditions with appropriate nuance. More than a third (36%) said they had noticed patients developing a dependency on a chatbot.
For couples, the risk is especially acute, according to Dr. Tzall. "When someone brings a conflict to a chatbot, they bring one side of it," he said. "The response tends to reinforce what that person already believes rather than challenge it. That can feel supportive in the moment, but it limits the kind of problem-solving that relationships actually need."
Dr. Tzall, who helps couples work through relationship conflict in his practice, noted that progress in a relationship typically comes from hearing a partner's experience, especially when it differs from one's own account. "A tool that only hears one person's version can't offer that," he said. "The conversation that matters is still the one between the two people involved."
He has previously written about the risks of over-reliance on AI for emotional support, noting that it may reinforce existing beliefs and limit real growth. The APA survey's findings point to a growing gap between how people use these tools and what clinicians believe they can responsibly provide. Alongside the survey, the APA released a guide on using AI for mental health information safely.
Dr. Tzall is a clinical psychologist based in Brooklyn and licensed in New York and New Jersey. He provides individual therapy, couples therapy, parent coaching, and parent coordination through in-person and virtual sessions. He earned his Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, and his clinical experience includes work in civil and forensic hospital settings. His practice serves adults, couples, and parents, with clinical focus areas including trauma, addiction, mood disorders, and attachment and relationship concerns.
As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, Dr. Tzall's warning highlights the importance of professional guidance for relationship issues. For more information, visit David Tzall, Psy.D. or his media room.
