Brooklyn-based clinical psychologist David Tzall, PsyD, is urging couples to think twice before seeking relationship advice from AI chatbots. His warning comes in response to new national data from the American Psychological Association (APA) showing widespread reliance on artificial intelligence for mental health support, advice, and even companionship.
The APA'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 used AI for support, engagement, or other reasons. Nearly two in five psychologists (39%) reported patients using AI to self-diagnose, while 35% said patients turned to AI as an additional mental health professional. The survey also revealed that 22% of psychologists reported patients using AI for friendship, and 13% reported patients engaging in intimate relationships with chatbots.
Clinicians expressed deep concern about these trends. Almost all psychologists surveyed (97%) felt that chatbots may inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors or delusional beliefs, and 94% said current chatbots cannot treat conditions with an appropriate amount of nuance. More than a third (36%) said they had noticed patients developing a level of dependency on a chatbot.
Dr. Tzall, who is licensed in New York and New Jersey and provides couples therapy through his practice, sees a particular danger for romantic partners. "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."
He noted that progress in a relationship usually 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." For couples struggling to communicate, Dr. Tzall offers professional guidance to work through relationship conflict in a balanced, therapeutic setting.
The APA released a guide alongside the survey on using AI for mental health information safely. The findings point to a growing gap between how people use these tools and what clinicians believe they can responsibly provide. As a clinical psychologist based in Brooklyn, Dr. Tzall has previously written about the risks of over-reliance on AI for emotional support, noting that it may reinforce existing beliefs rather than challenge them, increasing bias and limiting real growth.
For those seeking credible mental health information or to learn more about Dr. Tzall's practice, his media room provides additional resources. The survey's results underscore the importance of professional guidance in navigating relationship challenges, especially as AI becomes more integrated into daily life.
