<p>Daryl Gessner is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 10 years of experience specializing in trauma and behavioral addictions. He holds master's degrees in Professional Counseling and Psychology and is currently completing his PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.</p><p>In his clinical practice, Daryl works with individuals, couples, and families affected by digital dependencies, including pornography addiction, excessive screen time, and emerging relational challenges posed by AI companions—particularly among teens and young adults. Having observed how smartphones and social media intensified pornography use and eroded real-world intimacy, he identified early the unique risks of AI companions: hyper-personalized entities that provide constant listening, perfect adaptation, and on-demand emotional fulfillment—potentially reshaping human connections across all ages, with profound impacts on adolescent development.</p><p>As an avid AI enthusiast and lifelong science fiction fan, Daryl deeply appreciates technology's transformative potential. This passion, combined with his firsthand clinical insights into how digital tools can quietly undermine authentic relationships, inspired his writing on this timely issue. His aim is to equip readers with understanding and practical strategies.</p><p> </p>
