Your clients are probably talking to an AI between sessions. Here’s what the emerging research says about how they’re using it and what it means for therapy.
How Clients Use AI Between Therapy Sessions: What Therapists Need to Know in 2026
Your clients are probably talking to an AI between sessions. Here’s what the emerging research says about how they’re using it and what it means for therapy.
Reading time: 6 minutes
Key Takeaway
Clients increasingly use AI chatbots for emotional processing, skill practice, and session preparation between appointments. Research suggests this supplements rather than replaces therapy, but therapists need to proactively address AI use to ensure client safety and treatment integrity.
The Rise of Between-Session AI Use
As generative AI tools become integrated into daily life, a growing number of therapy clients are turning to chatbots and large language models for emotional support, reflection, and coping strategies between scheduled sessions. This trend has accelerated significantly in 2025–2026, with major publications including *JAMA* now covering the intersection of AI chatbots and mental health [1]. For hypnotherapists and other therapeutic professionals, understanding how clients use these tools — and how they intersect with clinical work — is no longer optional.
What the Research Reveals
A 2026 study by Grub and Naab examined perceived credibility and social competence of chatbots in mental health apps, finding that users with higher algorithmic literacy reported more realistic expectations and better outcomes [2]. Meanwhile, Gbollie et al. (2023) surveyed university students and found high intention to use digital mental health solutions, with attitudes shaped by perceived usefulness and ease of use [3].
A landmark cross-sectional study by Bernaerts et al. explored real-world use of AI chatbots for mental health support, finding that users often turned to AI for reflection, journaling prompts, and crisis triage outside of therapist hours [4]. These findings suggest clients are not replacing therapy with AI, but supplementing it.
Common Ways Clients Use AI Between Sessions
Based on emerging evidence, clients use AI in several distinct ways between sessions:
1. Processing emotions — describing a difficult experience and asking for perspective or reframing
2. Practising techniques — asking chatbots to guide them through breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, or CBT-style thought records
3. Preparing for sessions — organising thoughts and identifying topics they want to raise with their therapist
4. Crisis moments — seeking immediate support when feeling overwhelmed (quality and safety of AI responses vary considerably)
5. Homework accountability — using AI as a check-in tool for between-session tasks
Clinical Implications for Hypnotherapists
For hypnotherapists specifically, between-session AI use presents both opportunities and concerns. On the positive side, clients who practise self-hypnosis techniques with AI guidance may deepen their skills between sessions. App-based self-hypnosis interventions have been shown effective in clinical trials [5].
However, AI-generated hypnosis scripts may not follow clinical best practices. It is important to discuss AI use openly with clients, establish guidelines, and provide vetted digital resources. A privacy conversation is also essential — most consumer AI tools are not HIPAA-compliant or equivalent.
What Therapists Should Do
The emerging consensus from digital mental health research is that therapists should proactively address AI use with clients:
– Ask about AI use during intake and periodic reviews
– Educate clients on the limitations of AI for crisis support
– Recommend specific, clinically-vetted digital tools where appropriate
– Maintain clear boundaries around the therapeutic relationship and the role of AI
– Document AI-related discussions in case notes
The goal is not to compete with AI, but to help clients use it wisely.
References
- Hswen, Y. (2026). AI chatbots and youth mental health. *JAMA*, 335(15), e2524027. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2025.24027
- Grub, M., & Naab, T. (2026). Perceived credibility and social competence of chatbots in mental health apps and the influence of algorithm literacy. *DIGITAL HEALTH*, 12, 1–14. DOI: 10.1177/20552076251413307
- Gbollie, E., Bantjes, J., & Jarvis, L. (2023). Intention to use digital mental health solutions: A cross-sectional survey of university students attitudes and perceptions. *DIGITAL HEALTH*, 9, 20552076231216559. DOI: 10.1177/20552076231216559
- Bernaerts, S., Buelens, B., & De Witte, N. (2026). When chatbots become confidants: Exploring real-world use of AI chatbots for mental health support. *Journal of Medical Internet Research*. DOI: 10.2196/preprints.104316
- Tran, N., Saperia, C., Neri, E., Jo, B., Kim, B., Zewde, N., et al. (2025). Effects of app delivered self hypnosis on stress management. *npj Digital Medicine*, 9(1). DOI: 10.1038/s41746-025-02182-0
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