David Tzall, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Brooklyn, is urging couples to think twice before turning to AI chatbots to work through relationship conflict. His warning comes as new national data shows growing reliance on artificial intelligence 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 or engagement. 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 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 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 dependency on a chatbot.
"When someone brings a conflict to a chatbot, they bring one side of it," said Dr. Tzall. "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, a clinical psychologist based in Brooklyn, has previously written about the risks of over-reliance on AI for emotional support. He notes that such reliance may reinforce existing beliefs rather than challenge them, increasing bias and limiting real growth. In couples therapy, where he works with high-conflict relationships, he sees this dynamic play out between partners.
"Progress in a relationship usually comes from hearing what your partner experienced, especially when it's different from your own account," Dr. Tzall said. "A tool that only hears one person's version can't offer that. The conversation that matters is still the one between the two people involved."
Alongside the survey, the APA released a guide 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.
Dr. Tzall is licensed in New York and New Jersey and 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 focus areas including trauma, addiction, mood disorders, and attachment and relationship concerns. He regularly provides expert commentary on psychological topics for consumer health publications, and his media room is available at https://www.davidtzall.com/media-room.
For couples, the takeaway is clear: while AI can offer momentary validation, it cannot replace the mutual understanding that comes from direct, honest communication. As more people turn to chatbots for emotional needs, Dr. Tzall's guidance underscores the importance of professional support and real human connection in resolving relationship conflicts.
