Couples turning to AI chatbots for help with relationship conflicts may be getting advice that reinforces their own viewpoint rather than resolving the underlying issue, according to David Tzall, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Brooklyn. His warning comes as new national data reveals that a majority of psychologists have patients who use AI for emotional support, advice, and even companionship.
The American Psychological Association's 2026 Chatbots and Mental Health Survey of 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, and 35% said patients turned 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: almost all psychologists surveyed (97%) felt 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%) noticed patients developing a dependency on a chatbot.
Dr. Tzall, who provides couples therapy and helps partners work through relationship conflict, explained why AI falls short in disputes. “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,” Dr. Tzall said. “The conversation that matters is still the one between the two people involved.”
The implications extend beyond individual couples. As more people rely on AI for emotional support, a gap is widening between how these tools are used and what clinicians believe they can responsibly provide. The APA released a guide on using AI for mental health information safely alongside the survey, but the data suggests many users may not be aware of the limitations.
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. His practice serves adults, couples, and parents, with clinical focus areas including trauma, addiction, mood disorders, and attachment concerns.
For those seeking help with relationship conflict, Dr. Tzall's practice offers specialized couples therapy. More information about his work and media commentary is available through his media room.
