A beginner's guide to: AI therapy

digital therapy, online counseling, virtual therapy

AI therapy uses advanced technology to provide mental health support through interactive chatbots, structured programs and personalised interventions, making therapy more accessible and flexible.

In a hurry and don't have any questions?

  1. Check out our safety recommendations.

  2. Take some time to think through, clarify and write down your needs and goals.

  3. Look into different AI therapy platforms to find one that is reputable and aligns with your needs.

  4. Find a space where you can give your full attention to the session.

  5. When you are ready, head to our Practice Guides and get started.

Looking for detailed practice guides? Hang tight, they are coming soon!

What is AI therapy?

AI therapy leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver mental health support in various innovative forms. From interactive chatbots that simulate conversations to AI-assisted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programs, these tools provide users with accessible and flexible options for mental health care. AI therapy can offer continuous mental health monitoring, immersive virtual reality experiences for exposure therapy and even hybrid platforms that combine AI with human therapists. These digital solutions are designed to be available whenever and wherever you need them, making mental health support more personalised and accessible than ever before.

Why AI therapy is good for you

AI therapy offers evidence-based support that's accessible, personalised, and effective in promoting emotional health. It provides a judgment-free space, enables early intervention, and offers consistent monitoring—making it a valuable resource for mental wellbeing. Read on for more detailed research about this innovative approach to therapy.

Improved access to mental health care

Emotional well-being

Effective in managing anxiety and depression

Emotional well-being

Personalised interventions enhance engagement

Emotional well-being, Self well-being

Cost-effective mental health support

Emotional well-being

Anonymity encourages openness

Emotional well-being

People who love AI therapy

Stephen Fry

Actor

Ariana Huffington

Person

Kevin Love

Sports

"Upload" (TV show)

TV Show

Real people's experiences

Starting AI therapy? Read this first

You are probably ready to launch into your first AI therapy session. But before you do, there are some important things to keep in mind. These helpful tips will make sure that your first AI therapy session gets off to a great start.

Common styles

AI therapy offers different approaches to suit various needs. It’s worth understanding the differences so you can choose the depth and level of support that will work best for you:

AI chatbots

AI-assisted CBT

AI-driven monitoring

VR and AI exposure therapy

Safety

⚠️

Consult a healthcare provider before starting AI therapy if you have mental health conditions.

⚠️

Ensure the AI therapy platform you use is reputable and has privacy safeguards to protect your personal data.

⚠️

Ensure you have a support system in place, such as friends, family or a therapist, to discuss any difficult emotions that may arise.

⚠️

If you experience adverse feelings or worsening symptoms, discontinue use and seek immediate help from a licensed mental health professional.

What you might experience

🤔

"Is AI therapy really going to help?"

😊

"Ha, that response was actually helpful!"

😬

"What if it doesn’t get what I mean?"

😌

"This is easier than I thought."

💡

"I could really use this regularly."

Getting started guides coming soon...

Are you ready to try AI therapy?

We are busy working on detailed getting started guides and individual practice guides to follow.

What you need to know about Ai therapy

Wondering how you can get started with AI therapy? Explore the table below and discover everything you need to know to get your practice started, right now.

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Recommendation for first-timer

Availability

Average cost per session

Special equipment required

Potential for socialisation & community

Safety & skill building

Space or privacy required

Ease of scheduling

Setup time

Active practice time

Unexpected advantages

Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia

AI therapy has roots in a 1966 chatbot called ELIZA.

Some AI chatbots use Natural Language Processing (NLP) to understand emotions.

GPT-based models are now being used to simulate real-life conversations in therapy.

Which celebrity is known for promoting AI-based mental health apps?

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4 facts

Popular memes

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8 memes

Academic research we rate

Conversational Agent Interventions for Mental Health Problems: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

He, Y., Yang, L., Qian, C., Li, T., Su, Z., Zhang, Q., & Hou, X. (2023). Conversational Agent Interventions for Mental Health Problems: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e43862. https://doi.org/10.2196/43862

Feasibility and effectiveness of artificial intelligence-driven conversational agents in healthcare interventions: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Li, Y., Liang, S., Zhu, B., Liu, X., Li, J., Chen, D., Qin, J., & Bressington, D. (2023). Feasibility and effectiveness of artificial intelligence-driven conversational agents in healthcare interventions: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 143, 104494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104494

Application of Synchronous Text-Based Dialogue Systems in Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Review

Hoermann, S., McCabe, K. L., Milne, D. N., & Calvo, R. A. (2017). Application of Synchronous Text-Based Dialogue Systems in Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(8), e267. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7023

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7 research pieces

Introduction guides from around the web

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