Meet Woebot, A Therapist In An App

Therapy can be a useful tool for a range of individuals of all different backgrounds. But in some cultures, therapy is attached to stigma, and people are intimidated to attend an in-person session. This fear is hindering their ability to self-help, so the internet came up with a solution: mental health chatbots.

Nowadays, apps are replacing the traditional therapist’s couch. Woebot is a mental health chatbot or “chatbot therapist,” which helps people with depression and other mental health issues while keeping users anonymous.

It was first tested on a group of college students who reported feelings of depression, and results were extremely promising, with those using Woebot experiencing a huge decrease in symptoms of depression.

Here’s how it works: first, the bot will message you and introduce itself. If you speak to Woebot about your insecurities, it might point out distorted thinking and encourage you to be more objective, or celebrate your small victories with gusto.