Recent surveys reveal that an increasing number of Americans are using artificial‑intelligence chatbots as a first step when dealing with emotional distress. According to John Torous, director of the Digital Psychiatry Division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, one in three people have tried an AI chatbot for emotional support.
National trends and barriers to traditional care
BetterHelp’s 2026 State of Stigma Report found that 15% of U.S. adults now use AI for mental‑health support, while 74% say society still discourages people from seeking help. The same report identified cost and stigma as major obstacles: 52% of respondents named expense as a barrier to therapy, and 27% pointed to fear of judgment.
These barriers help explain why many turn to AI first. Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, told CNN that chatbots are available at any hour and respond instantly, allowing users to type out feelings before a scheduled appointment is possible.
Privacy and affordability
Privacy is another draw. Dr. Wen noted that some individuals feel more comfortable typing about a problem than discussing it with a parent or counselor. Arthur C. Evans Jr., chief executive of the American Psychological Association, described general‑purpose chatbots as “readily available and easy to access without insurance,” highlighting their affordability for those who cannot afford out‑of‑pocket therapy costs.
How AI can assist between sessions
Beyond immediate relief, AI tools can help users organize thoughts and track mood changes. Penn State World Campus has described AI as a useful aid for compiling questions before a therapy visit. AI‑guided journaling lets people record events and reactions while details are fresh, a practice that research shows can make mood shifts easier to monitor.
Dr. Mona Barman, director of care transformation at BetterHelp, emphasized that responsibly used AI may help people reflect on experiences or document concerns between sessions, but it is not a substitute for licensed care.
Clinical evidence and limitations
A 2025 clinical trial at Dartmouth involving 106 adults tested a purpose‑built generative‑AI mental‑health chatbot. Participants reported a 51% average reduction in depressive symptoms and a 31% reduction in generalized anxiety. Study author Michael Heinz cautioned that no generative‑AI agent is ready to operate fully on its own, and safety and reliability questions remain.
APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr. warned that general chatbots are “supportive to a fault” and may miss warning signs that human therapists would catch, especially during crises. C. Vaile Wright, senior director of the Office of Healthcare Innovation at the APA, added that chatbots often simply validate existing thoughts rather than challenge harmful thinking.
Trust, responsibility and regulation
Public trust still leans heavily toward human professionals; BetterHelp’s report found 74% of respondents would never trust AI more than a licensed therapist. APA guidance states that psychologists remain responsible for final decisions, even when AI tools are used, and that users should be informed when AI is involved.
Regulators are considering new transparency and data‑use rules to ensure AI tools are tested fairly across diverse groups. BetterHelp’s report indicated that 46% of respondents believe AI works best when paired with a medical professional.
Looking ahead
While AI cannot replace the therapeutic relationship built over time, it can reduce barriers and provide a stepping stone toward professional care. George Nitzburg, an assistant professor of clinical psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, said technology “reduces barriers so people can get something rather than nothing,” with the goal of widening access before crises develop.
Among younger adults, 42% of Millennials surveyed by BetterHelp view AI as a supplement to human care, underscoring the growing role of technology in mental‑health support.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
