AI, therapy and the people in your life
Should I tell my doctor I'm using an AI mental health app?
By Siri Bandagiriye · Yes. Your doctor or counsellor should know what you use to cope. Notes from an app's journal can also help you remember what the past few weeks were really like, and you share only what you choose.
Yes. Your doctor or counsellor should know what you're using to cope, the same as they'd want to know about supplements or sleep habits.
It can also make appointments more useful. Notes from your journal can help you remember what the past few weeks were actually like.
You don't have to share private entries, just what you choose.
What the research says
The American Psychological Association's 2025 health advisory urges clinicians to proactively ask patients whether they use AI chatbots and wellness apps, so the tools can be discussed openly.1
The APA says AI chatbots and wellness apps should not replace a qualified provider, but may be appropriate as a supportive add-on to ongoing care with one.1
Written by Siri Bandagiriye
I've been a Buddhist monk and mindfulness teacher for 30 years, and for six years a chaplain with Correctional Service Canada, sitting with people in crisis. I built Saati in Halifax as a companion for the ordinary hard days. If you'd like to see what it's like, it's free to try.