Most Psychologists Say Their Patients Use AI for Mental Health Support – Recommendations on Chatbots and AI from the APA
By Jane Sarasohn-Kahn on 17 June 2026 in AI, AI and health, Anxiety, Artificial intelligence, Augmented intelligence, Behavioral health, Bioethics, Chatbots and health, ChatGPT, Connected health, Consumer experience, Consumer-directed health, Depression, Design and health, Digital health, Empathy, Health access, Health at home, Health engagement, Health literacy, Health privacy, Health social networks, Healthcare access, Healthcare DIY, Loneliness, Mental health, Patient engagement, Patient experience, Popular culture and health, Psychologists, Psychology, Retail health, Robots, Robots and health, Self-care, Social health, Social isolation, Stress, Techquity, Telehealth, Trust, Wellbeing
Three in four licensed psychologists in the U.S. report that their patients have spoken about using AI — with at least one-third reporting use for self-diagnosis, help with self-discipline or behavioral reminders, or as an assist in therapy. This is the top-line finding in the 2026 Chatbots and Mental Health Survey from the American Psychological Association (APA). This is among the first such study into patients’ use of AI for mental health support. APA conducted the survey among 1,242 licensed psychologists in the U.S. in April 2026, In this early phase of patients adopting
Jane joined host Dr. Geeta "Dr. G" Nayyar and colleagues to brainstorm the value of vaccines for public and individual health in this challenging environment for health literacy, health politics, and health citizen grievance. Click onto the Pfizer Value of Vaccines site and you can watch four episodes covering the challenges with adult vaccination, the employer and health plan member's journey to vaccination, reimbursement, and collaborating for proactive prevention.
I'm grateful to be part of the Duke Corporate Education faculty, sharing perspectives on the future of health care with health and life science companies. Once again, I'll be brainstorming the future of health care with a cohort of executives working in a global health care enterprise.
Jane will be working with EU- and UK-based clients in September and October 2026, collaborating with stakeholders in digital health, public/community health, retail health, and growing opportunities for health-at-home. Stay tuned to her updates here on Health Populi on-the-ground as she lives the digital nomadic work-life in Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and in London.