Annapolis, MD, USA - March 5, 2026 - A new national survey commissioned by ICANotes, a behavioral health electronic health record provider, finds that a majority of U.S. mental health clinicians believe the growing use of artificial intelligence emotional-support tools may be contributing to delays in professional care.
In a February 2026 survey of 174 licensed U.S.-based mental health clinicians, 61.07% reported that patient use of AI emotional-support tools often (18.12%) or sometimes (42.95%) contributes to delays in seeking appropriate licensed mental health care.
The findings come at a time when access to mental health services remains limited nationwide. According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly half (47.9%) of U.S. adults with a mental illness did not receive any mental health treatment in the past year.
Clinician concern about AI-based emotional-support tools is high. Respondents rated their average level of concern at 3.58 out of 4. Nearly 44.83% say they are aware of clients in their caseload who are using AI-based tools, such as chatbots, mobile applications, or virtual assistants, for emotional or mental health support before, or alongside therapy.
Patient disclosure of AI use appears inconsistent. In the past 12 months, 9.83% of clinicians say patients regularly disclose using AI tools for emotional support, 28.90% report occasional disclosure, 20.81% say patients rarely disclose such use, and 40.46% report no disclosure at all.
AI use appears most concentrated among younger adults. Among clinicians aware of AI use, 55.46% identified patients aged 26 to 40, followed by 42.86% among those aged 18 to 25. Usage was also reported among patients aged 41 to 60 (32.77%), under 18 (19.33%), and 61 and older (5.88%).
Clinicians cited 24-hour availability as the most common reason patients turn to AI tools (64.24%). Other factors include affordability (37.75%), feeling less intimidated than speaking with a clinician (31.13%), easier access compared to scheduling therapy (30.46%), faster responses (29.14%), greater anonymity (27.81%), difficulty finding a provider (25.17%), insurance barriers (15.89%), and previous negative therapy experiences (9.27%).
Emily Mendenhall, Professor and Medical Anthropologist at Georgetown University, said the findings reflect broader structural challenges within the U.S. mental health system.
"Mental health care in the United States is only getting more difficult to access," she said. "Because of structural barriers and rapid shifts in AI, the low-cost immediate strategy of AI as therapist may seem like a replacement for people who are struggling and cannot access the care they need."
Dr. October Boyles, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN, behavioral health expert and clinical consultant at ICANotes, emphasized that AI tools are not a substitute for licensed clinical assessment.
"When individuals delay seeking professional care, especially for moderate to severe symptoms, opportunities for early intervention can be missed," said Dr. Boyles. "Technology can support clinicians and patients, but it must be implemented thoughtfully, with patient safety and evidence-based practice at the forefront."
The survey was conducted in February 2026 among 174 licensed U.S.-based mental health clinicians. Full survey results and methodology are available upon request.
About ICANotes
ICANotes is a leading electronic health record solution that is purpose-built for behavioral health. Thousands of mental health professionals across the U.S. use ICANotes to streamline documentation, maintain compliance, and deliver quality care. The platform offers menu-driven note templates, billing and practice management tools, powerful integrations, and AI-powered features to support every aspect of the clinical workflow. Visit https://www.icanotes.com.
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