Artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health care has become a hot topic in recent years, providing alternative means to promote emotional well-being. AI chatbots are gaining popularity as one of the innovative tools for supporting mental health on a convenient and smartphone-based platform. Designed to offer humanlike conversation and without seeking assistance to users who might be stressed, anxious, or depressed, it also sends coping tools as well as therapists' tricks. AI mental health chatbots offer a handy 24/7 supplement to therapy that is otherwise lacking in regions with lower availability of mental health professionals, and ensure user anonymity. 

 


1. Woebot

Woebot is an AI chatbot developed by clinical psychologist Dr Alison Darcy and her team at Stanford University. First launched in 2017, uses the CBT methodology to help users with their mental health issues by having daily conversations, tracking moods, and coping strategies (Time)

Woeboot  


 Key Features:

  • CBT Techniques:  Leveraging both evidence-based CBT procedures, psychoeducational, and goal setting, and mood monitoring to identify and challenge negative thought patterns in users.
  • Accessibility:  Real-time smartphone support, 24/7, becomes accessible without the obligation to set an appointment.
  • User Engagement:  A prototype that is easy and fun to use, running interactions consistently is crucial for instilling good mental-health habits (JMIR Formative Research)
Research Evidence

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Woebot in college students aged 18–28 with symptoms of depression and anxiety (n = 70). They randomly assigned participants to one group of 32 who interacted with Woebot daily over the course of two weeks and another control group that received an informational e-book on depression. Results. This showed the Woebot Group experienced a significant reduction in PHQ-9 score (p = 0.005) when compared with the control group. The group exposed to Woebot, however, exhibited a quantitatively greater reduction in anxiety symptoms. It was concluded that Woebot is realistic, interesting, and suitable for delivering CBT among young adults 17- 19 years of age (Woebot Health).

Woeboot Impact


Limitations and Considerations:  

Woebot has shown potential to alleviate mild to moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety, but it should not take the place of therapy for anyone (especially those with serious mental health disorders). Remember, Woebot is not a substitute for crisis intervention or mental health emergency support.

A small but significant advancement within the realm of digital mental health support, Woebot affords people seeking ways to boost their mental well-being immediate, accessible, and evidence-based help.

Its application of CBT in conversational AI is something that will prove a useful early intervention and follow-through tool.

2. Wysa:  

Wysa is an AI-driven mental health app that aims to give users quick, science-backed resources for managing their mental well-being. Based on techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness, Wysa creates a conversational interface through which users can engage in therapeutic dialogues. The app tries to help people who are managing acute stress, anxiety, depression, and other problems on their own by using self-guided interventions.(humanfactors.jmir.org)

Wysa Chatbot


Key Features:

  • Evidence-Based Techniques:  Wysa uses modules from CBT and DBT to teach coping strategies & resilience to users.
  • User Engagement:  App is simple and easy to use, ensuring habitual use in order to train the brain for positive mental health habits.
  • Accessibility:  Wysa is available 24/7 through smartphones, and intervention is immediate fulfillment of mental health resources without appointments.

Research Evidence

A  study was performed with healthcare workers in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic

to determine the feasibility and efficacy of Wysato help supporting mental health. Results: Out of the 97 participants who entered the trial, 82 participants achieved at least two sessions and averaged 10.9 sessions over about 3.8 weeks. For sleep and anxiety management, the most interventions were used (Wong et al., 2024), suggesting that Wysa provides a feasible solution in addressing common mental health needs in professional health care workers.  

 Within another study examining people with long-term conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, the efficacy of the Wysa program on psychological outcomes was also explored. Over the following four weeks, Morris et al.(2024) showed that Wysa users reported reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety, implying the feasibility of this app for mental well-being compensation in individuals with chronic diseases.

 

    Limitations and Considerations:

     Wysa is effective at treating mild and moderate symptoms of mental health conditions, but not a replacement for face-to-face therapy with professionals, especially for people severely affected by their mental health. The work of Wysa, however, users must understand that it is not a place for emergency support or crisis intervention. Wysa is an impressive advance in the field of digital mental healthcare, providing an available and evidence-based solution for people interested in managing their mental well-being. The intersection of traditional therapeutic techniques in the conversational AI setting makes this a potent player for early intervention and long-term support.

     3. Replika

    Replika is an AI chatbot that was created by Luka, Inc. and launched in 2017. At launch, Replika was envisioned as a "friends bot," but over time, it became a platform for users to create a custom AI companion that they could talk to empathetically. According to its creators, the app is meant to uplift your spirits and help you bond with others through interacting with people who make you feel heard and less of a loner on a daily basis.  

    Replika


     Key Features:

    • Personalized Interaction: Replika learns from user interactions to create a unique conversational experience tailored to individual preferences.
    • Emotional Engagement: The chatbot is designed to simulate empathetic responses, allowing users to discuss their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental space.
    • Accessibility: Available 24/7 via smartphone, Replika offers immediate companionship without the need for appointments.
    • Customization:  The user can work on different Replikas and establish a relationship with one (either a friend, a partner as in a student narrative, or a mentor) based on his/her emotional requirements

    Replika

    Research Evidence:
    This study, published in npj Mental Health Research, involved assessments of 1006 students using Repliak with one questionnaire aimed at monitoring impacts on loneliness, together with perceived social support. Results showed that 90% of the participants felt lonely; 43% had severe loneliness. Participants indicated that while interacting with Repliak, they developed a companionship emotion and perceived emotional support, which buffers perceptive social isolation (Maples et al., 2024).      

    Further research has explored the psychological dynamics of human-AI relationships. A study by Chu et al. (2025) analyzed over 30,000 user-shared conversations with social chatbots like Replika, identifying patterns of emotional mirroring and synchrony akin to human relationships. While these interactions can offer emotional benefits, the study also highlighted potential risks, such as emotional dependency and blurred boundaries between artificial and human connections.  

    Limitations and Considerations:

    Replika can certainly help to offer emotional support and company, but it is definitely not a replacement for counseling or mental health treatment. The AI is not capable of really understanding full complex human emotion and therefore cannot provide crisis intervention or therapeutic services. Users need to be aware that they will likely get too attached to the chatbot for emotional support and should turn to a professional when they need help.

    Replika is an interesting model to combat loneliness and provide emotional support by pairing people with AI buddies. With personal comments and an empathetic design, it can be a great support for individuals looking for a touch of connection.

    That said, it should be used as a sidekick and not a replacement for human relationships or other kinds of professional mental health services you need.  

      

    4. Tess (X2AI)

    X2AI(Tess by Cass) generates Tess, a Psychological chatbot, and you think to upsell them first? Tess is a text-based, on-demand mental health coach built by X2AI (now Cass). Designed by clinical psychologists, Tess precisely engages users with individualized evidence-based interventions through text-based conversational interactions. It works on multiple platforms — SMS, or you can ask in Facebook Messenger and browse from thousands of mental health support providers like a web browser — there is no need for extra apps or devices.



     Key Features of Tess

    • Multilingual and Culturally Adaptable: Multilingual and Cultural Tailoring Developed to be multilingual and flexible for local cultural and contextual adaptations. It is flexibility that allows it to effectively serve several populations, while assuring users get pertinent help regarding their cultural backgrounds
    • Applications in Various Settings: Separation of Settings The system was used in education, Psychology crisis intervention, as well as elder care, for instance. They enable students who are stressed or anxious to have someone support them in educational environments. Senior citizen Tess has helped reduce feelings like loneliness and depression during the seemingly mandated worsened isolation that is present, especially due to the COVID-19 situation in general for older adults throughout.
    • Evidence-Based Interventions: The chatbot employs techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other integrative mental health approaches. Studies have shown that interactions with Tess can lead to reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety, demonstrating its effectiveness as a supplementary tool for mental health care. (JMIR Mental Health)
    • Ethical Framework: X2AI has developed an ethical code for Tess, aligning with guidelines from the American Psychological Association and principles from the UK Lord’s Report on AI. This framework ensures that Tess operates with a focus on user well-being, privacy, and safety. 

    Tess represents a significant advancement in the integration of AI into mental health services. Its ability to provide immediate, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based support makes it a valuable resource in various settings. While it is not a replacement for professional therapy, Tess serves as an accessible tool that can complement traditional mental health care, especially in areas with limited access to such services.

     5. Youper 

    Youper is an AI-powered mental health assistant designed to support emotional well-being through personalized, evidence-based interventions. Utilizing techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, Youper offers users tools to manage anxiety, depression, and stress effectively.

    Youper


    Key Features of Youper

    • AI-Powered Emotional Support: Youper engages users in dynamic conversations to help them understand and manage their emotions. The AI adapts its responses based on user input, providing a personalized experience that mirrors interactions with a human therapist.
    • Integration of CBT and Mindfulness: The app incorporates CBT techniques to help users identify and challenge negative thought patterns. Additionally, mindfulness exercises are available to promote relaxation and present-moment awareness, aiding in stress reduction.
    • Mood Tracking and Journaling: Users can monitor their emotional states over time through mood tracking features. The journaling function allows for reflection, enabling users to recognize patterns and triggers in their emotional responses.
    • Progress Monitoring: Youper The app from Youper gives users a better idea visually of their mental health status quo by showing the improvements in all of the metrics associated with their growing well-being. This motivates and promotes good behavior change because of what it does.
    • Effectiveness of the Clinical Care: An Observational longitudinal study of 4,517 users showed that Youper was effective in decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms (Moidox Magazine, 2020). In just the first 2 weeks of using the app, participants saw average reductions of 24% in anxiety and 19% in depression symptoms. Those changes lasted for 4 weeks. It also discovered that when participants were more regularly using the app interventions, there was a corresponding increase in emotional regulation and symptom reduction. Users who engaged with the app's features most frequently showed more pronounced improvements in their mental health.(JMIR) There is also strong feedback across its user base. Youper has an average of 4.36 out of 5 stars.! A final indication of user satisfaction and retention reached with the app, 43% of users were still engaged four weeks after first signing up (Apple, JMIR)
    • Accessibility and Reach: Youper is available on both iOS and Android, and has been downloaded over 3 million times worldwide. A friendly interface, backed by evidence, is handy for people who want to treat their mental health without being in traditional therapy.(Plan)
    Youper exemplifies the integration of artificial intelligence in mental health care, offering accessible and effective support for emotional well-being. Its evidence-based design and positive user outcomes highlight its potential as a supplementary tool in the broader mental health landscape.  

    6. Mindstrong 

    Mindstrong Health was an AI/health pioneer of digital mental health, measuring and predicting a number of mental health conditions with the AI and smartphone usage patterns in place. Though it has been defunct since 2023, its pioneering methods paved the way for future AI applications in mental health care going forward. Mindstrong (founded by Dr. Thomas Insel, former director of NIMH) set out to transform mental health care in 2017, using commonplace interactions on smartphone screens. Users' typing speed, scrolling behavior, and app switching patterns were all analyzed via the company's technology: a technique called digital phenotyping, Mindstrong (2019) 



     How Did It Work?

    Mindstrong's app passively collected data from users' smartphones, focusing on:(STAT)

    • Typing patterns: Speed, errors, and rhythm
    • Touchscreen interactions: Swipes, taps, and scrolls
    • App usage: Frequency and duration 

    The AI was able to spot patterns that could mean mental health problems like depression or anxiety by studying these activities. Slower type speeds and more WPM errors—to point at cognitive decline or mood changes (Harvard Business School2018)

    Clinical Applications

    The technology of Mindstrong is mostly used by healthcare providers to track patients over a distance. Cognitive and emotional states of patients were available to clinicians in real time so that they could act early and develop personalized treatment plans. This method was particularly useful to people with severe mental illnesses, the continuous tracking even outside the traditional clinical environments (Pathlight Behavioral Health, 2024). 

    Challenges and Closure

    Despite its innovative model, Mindstrong faced significant challenges:

    • Privacy Concerns: Collecting sensitive behavioral data raises ethical and privacy issues.
    • Clinical Validation: Skepticism existed regarding the scientific validity of using smartphone data to diagnose mental health conditions (STAT News, 2018).
    • Financial Sustainability: The company struggled to monetize its services effectively.(STAT)
    In 2023, Mindstrong announced the closure of its headquarters and laid off 128 employees. Subsequently, mental health provider SonderMind acquired Mindstrong's technology assets to integrate into its own platform (Fierce Healthcare, 2023). 


    Legacy and Impact

    Mindstrong's method for digital phenotyping has influenced mental health care research, progressing into the future as we ground AI-powered mental health care to people (publishers)(2021). The methods were discovery-driven and showed that passively collected data can be leveraged to forecast shifts in mental health trends, setting the stage for future passive monitoring and care innovations (ScienceDirect, 2024). (Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard)

     

       “AI chatbots are revolutionizing mental health care by providing accessible, evidence-based support to millions, bridging gaps in traditional therapy while emphasizing the importance of ethical design and human connection💜.”