AI Therapists Are Here: 14 Groundbreaking Mental Health Tools You Need To Know
There are many fields where generative AI is proving to have truly transformative potential, and some of the most interesting use cases are around mental health and wellbeing.
While it can't provide the human connection and intuition of a trained therapist, research has shown that many people are comfortable sharing their worries and concerns with relatively faceless and anonymous AI bots.
Whether this is always a good idea or not, given the black-box nature of many AI platforms, is up for debate. But it's becoming clear that in specific use cases, AI has a role to play in guiding, advising and understanding us.
So here I will look at some of the most interesting and innovative generative AI tools that are reshaping the way we think about mental health and wellbeing today.
Headspace
Headspace is a hugely popular app that provides calming mindfulness and guided meditation sessions. Recently, it's expanded to become a full digital mental healthcare platform, including access to therapists and psychiatric services, as well as generative AI tools.
Their first tool is Ebb, designed to take users on reflective meditation experiences. Headspace focused heavily on the ethical implications of introducing AI to mental healthcare scenarios when creating the tool. This is all part of their mission to make digital mindfulness and wellness accessible to as many people as possible through dynamic content and interactive experiences.
Wysa
This is another very popular tool that's widely used by corporate customers to provide digital mental health services to employees, but of course, anyone can use it. Its AI chatbot provides anonymous support and is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and dialectical behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Wysa's AI is built from the ground up by psychologists and tailored to work as part of a structured package of support, which includes interventions from human wellbeing professionals. Another standout is the selection of features tailored to helping young people. Wysa is one of the few mental health and wellbeing AI platforms that holds the distinction of being validated clinically in peer-reviewed studies.
Youper
This platform is billed as an emotional health assistant and uses generative AI to deliver conversational, personalized support. It blends natural language chatbot functionality with clinically validated methods including CBT. According to its website, its effectiveness at treating six mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, has been confirmed by Stanford University researchers, and users can expect benefits in as little as two weeks.
Mindsera
This is an AI-powered journaling app designed to help users manage their mental health by providing insights and emotional analytics based on their writing. It provides users with a number of journaling frameworks as well as guidance from AI personas in the guise of historical figures. It aims to help users get to the bottom of the emotional drivers behind their thought processes and explore these through the process of writing and structuring their thoughts. Chatbot functionality means that journaling becomes a two-way process, with the AI guiding the user towards different pathways for exploring their mental wellbeing, depending on how and what they write about. Mindsera can even create images and artwork based on users' journaling, to give new perspectives on their mental health and wellbeing.
Woebot
Woebot is a 'mental health' ally chatbot that helps users deal with symptoms of depression and anxiety. It aims to build a long-term, ongoing relationship through regular chats, listening and asking questions in the same way as a human therapist. Woebot mixes natural-language-generated questions and advice with crafted content and therapy created by clinical psychologists. It is also trained to detect 'concerning' language from users and immediately provides information about external sources where emergency help or interventions may be available. Woebot seems to be available only to Apple device users.
The choice of tools and platforms dedicated to mental health and wellbeing is growing all the time. Here are some of the other top choices out there:
Calm
Alongside Headspace (see above), Calm is one of the leading meditation and sleep apps. It now uses generative AI to provide personalized recommendations.
Character.ai
Although this is not a dedicated mental health app, therapists and psychologists are among the AI characters this platform offers, and both are available free of charge 24/7.
EmoBay
Your 'psychosocial bestie', offering emotional support with daily check-ins and journaling.
HeyWellness
This platform includes a number of wellness apps, including HeyZen, designed to help with mindfulness and calm.
Joy
Joy is an AI virtual companion that delivers help and support via WhatsApp chat.
Kintsugi
Takes the innovative approach of analyzing voice data and journals to provide stress and mental health support.
Life Planner
This is an all-in-one AI planning and scheduling tool that includes functions for tracking habits and behaviors in order to develop healthy and mindful routines.
Manifest
This app bills itself as 'Shazam for your feelings' and is designed with young people in mind.
Reflection
Guided journaling app that leverages AI for personalized guidance and insights.
Resonance
AI-powered journaling tool developed by MIT, which is designed to work with users' memories to suggest future paths and activities.
Talking therapies like CBT have long been understood to be effective methods of looking after our mental health, and AI chatbots offer a combination of accessibility and anonymity. As AI becomes more capable and deeply interwoven with our lives, I predict many more will explore its potential in this field. Of course, it won't replace the need for trained human therapists any time soon. However, AI will become another tool in their box that they can use to help patients take control of their mental wellbeing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Yes, biking can be a lot of fun. But is it good exercise?
Few summer activities are as popular as cycling. Whether you're going for a leisurely ride along a city bike trail, hopping on a mountain bike to practice stunts and explore nature or using your bicycle as a mode of transportation to and from the store or work, you're sure to spot other cyclists nearby. In fact, cycling is the third most popular recreational activity in the U.S. with more than 56 million Americans doing it in 2024 alone. But beyond being a lot of fun and good for one's mental health by improving social connections and spending time outside, is cycling actually good exercise? Here's how biking can be good for both your heart and your muscles, plus how to get the most out of a cycling workout. Biking – or cycling, as it is more commonly called – "is considered an excellent form of exercise due to its numerous health benefits," says Dr. Michael Fredericson, director of the physical medicine and rehabilitation division of Stanford University. As a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, it boosts cardiovascular health by elevating your heart rate, lowering your blood pressure, strengthening cardiac tissue, improving respiratory fitness and reducing your risk of heart disease. "It's also helpful in stabilizing blood glucose levels, lessening insulin resistance and lowering cholesterol by improving blood lipids," says Daryl Parker, emeritus professor of exercise science at Sacramento State University. Such benefits are among the reasons research shows "a strong relationship between commuter cycling and decreased all-cause mortality," says Fredericson. Cycling also builds endurance, releases feel-good hormones and improves flexibility and joint mobility. And the activity burns plenty of calories, with research from Harvard Medical School showing a 155-pound person burning 252 calories in just 30 minutes of moderate intensity cycling and close to 300 calories when doing so vigorously. The exercise also "enhances metabolic function," says Brad Schoenfeld, a professor of exercise science at Lehman College of the City University of New York, which means it's using more energy that other movements, leading to burning more fat stores for energy. This is why studies show that cycling can be helpful in preventing obesity and maintaining a healthy is aerobic exercise? And what are some examples? Along with such cardiovascular and weight management benefits, regularly riding your bike can also help you build muscle. While cycling involves muscle groups throughout most of the body, most growth occurs in the lower body and hip flexor muscles. "The quadriceps muscle group is particularly heavily engaged during pedaling," says Fredericson, "and the hamstrings are also activated." He points out that hip flexors are involved to aid with balance and stabilization and glute muscles are also strengthened. "And it's fair to say that upper body muscles such as the trapezius, latissimus dorsi and anterior deltoid are also engaged," he adds. Cycling accomplishes such growth through the force of resistance that propelling one's weight forward, but it also releases "chemicals known as metabolic stimuli in the muscle that can lead to an increase in muscle size," says Parker. What's more, the activity has the advantage of aiding in muscle growth and maintenance while still being a low-impact exercise – meaning it's unlikely to aggravate your bones and joints. At the same time, you're only likely to keep building muscle to a certain point before most of your time on a bike will be spent maintaining the muscles you already have. Because you're not able to keep adding more and more weight to the exercise, "cycling does not progressively overload your muscles," Schoenfeld says. "For continued increases in muscle size, a person would need to perform resistance training." Resistance vs. strength training? Learn how to build strength and muscle mass Capitalizing on the cardiovascular and muscle-building benefits of cycling means participating in the sport regularly. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. Cycling is one of many exercises that qualify, but meeting this recommendation means doing it or other similar activities for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. No matter how often you engage in cycling, it's important to do so safely. "To stay safe while bike riding, wear a helmet, be visible with bright clothing and lights, follow traffic laws, use hand signals and be aware of your surroundings," advises Fredericson. He also recommends inspecting your tires, brakes and other components often to ensure they are in good working order and making sure your bike frame is the correct size for your body. Parker agrees, noting that local bike shops can be helpful with fitting you to the best size of bicycle. "And don't neglect learning how to handle your bicycle effectively," he adds. "The knowledge of how to stop quickly and dismount and how to make quick turns to avoid obstacles, other riders and automobiles are all important skills in staying safe." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is biking good exercise? It's better for you than you might think.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Bill Gates' Top 5 Tips for Getting Richer
Bill Gates didn't just co-found Microsoft and become one of the richest people on Earth; he did it by thinking long-term, building smart habits and staying relentlessly curious. Read Next: Trending Now: And here's the good news: many of his most valuable money strategies don't require a billion-dollar business or a computer science degree. Gates has shared several principles that can help anyone, regardless of their salary, become wealthier over time. Below are five Gates-inspired tips to grow your wealth, build resilience and start thinking like a billionaire. Looking for more advice? Also here are Warren Buffett's top tips for getting richer. Gates is a lifelong learner, someone who reads dozens of books a year and still makes time for in-depth study. 'Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding,' Gates said in an interview with The New York Times. Check Out: He's particularly bullish on learning to code, analyze data or understand science and systems thinking. But it doesn't have to be technical. What matters is picking up skills that add long-term value and can grow with you, like writing, solving complex problems or leading a team. Gates is a long-term thinker. He's spent decades solving massive global problems, from eradicating diseases to rethinking energy and he's often said that believing progress is possible is the first step to making it real. 'Even in dire situations, optimism fuels innovation and leads to new approaches that eliminate suffering,' Bill Gates said during his 2014 commencement address at Stanford University. That same mindset applies to building wealth. If you're starting from scratch, it's easy to feel like you'll never get ahead. But optimism, paired with consistent action, is what keeps you moving forward. Wealth isn't built overnight. It's built by people who believe their effort matters and who keep going even when it doesn't feel flashy or fast. 'Save like a pessimist and invest like an optimist,' Gates said in an interview with CNBC. In other words, prepare for emergencies, but don't let fear keep you on the sidelines forever. He kept enough cash on hand to run Microsoft for 12 months without revenue, but he also invested in world-changing innovations like the internet, software and clean energy long before they were trendy. If you want to grow your wealth, build a safety net, but also learn how to recognize long-term opportunities and act on them. For years, Gates believed a packed schedule was the mark of a serious leader, until his perspective was changed by none other than Warren Buffett. 'I remember Warren showing me his calendar,' Gates said in a conversation with Buffett and Charlie Rose. 'There were weeks when there was nothing at all.' At the time, Gates had every minute booked and thought that was the only way to run a company. Watching Buffett, he realized that constantly rushing from task to task wasn't necessarily a sign of productivity. 'It's not a proxy of your seriousness that you've filled every minute in your schedule,' he later reflected. Since then, Gates has become much more intentional with his time, protecting space for reading, thinking and working on big problems without distraction. The lesson: business doesn't equal progress. If you want to grow wealth or make smarter decisions, prioritize quality time over constant activity. Throughout his career, Gates has stayed ahead by anticipating where the world is headed. He built Microsoft during the software revolution and later focused his philanthropy on global health threats long before pandemics made headlines. In a post on X addressed to college students, he said that if he were starting today, he'd study artificial intelligence, energy and biosciences. That's a clue for the rest of us: follow the future. If you're choosing a side hustle, investment or career path, don't just look at what's hot now; look at what's about to reshape the next decade. Bill Gates may have billions in the bank, but most of the ideas that built his fortune, like curiosity, discipline and long-term thinking, cost nothing to start. You don't need to launch a tech company to apply these tips. Start small. Think ahead. Learn constantly. Save strategically. That's how wealth gets built in real life, not just on the Forbes list. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard These 10 Used Cars Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle 7 Luxury SUVs That Will Become Affordable in 2025 This article originally appeared on Bill Gates' Top 5 Tips for Getting Richer Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
'CBT-I is the gold-standard treatment for insomnia' — an expert shares his go-to method for helping people with sleep disturbances
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 12% of US adults are diagnosed with chronic insomnia, a disorder that makes falling asleep and staying asleep difficult. While treatment for insomnia can include medication, more and more people are turning to CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia). This form of therapy is designed to address the root factors contributing to insomnia, rather than just medicating symptoms. But how effective is it? We spoke to Dr Aric Prather, Sleep Advisor to wellness app Headspace, and the Director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Research Program at the University of California at San Francisco, to find out more following the launch of Headspace's new CBT-I sleep programme Finding Your Best Sleep. Here's what he told us... "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold-standard empirically supported treatment for insomnia, and should be the first line treatment for individuals with insomnia before embarking on pharmacologic treatment," says Dr Aric. CBT-I also addresses the anxiety that develops with unpredictable sleep "Unlike hypnotic medication, CBT-I addresses the perpetuating factors that drive insomnia, and provides the patient with science-backed strategies to improve sleep by consolidating sleep and entraining their circadian rhythm. "CBT-I also addresses the anxiety that develops with unpredictable sleep by incorporating relaxation techniques and psychological strategies like cognitive restructuring. "The goal is to help patients better regulate their sleep, find some success in sleeping, and build confidence and resilience." Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "CBT-I focuses specifically on sleep and insomnia symptoms. Unlike other CBT therapies, CBT-I is heavily behavioral. We know quite a bit about what regulates our sleep biologically, so that's where we start. "Focusing on standardizing someone's wake up time, implementing stimulus control to reduce cognitive arousal in bed, and tracking sleep behavior via a sleep diary followed by restricting their time in bed to increase sleep consolidation can go a long way towards increasing the predictability at nighttime and reducing anxiety prior to and during the night." "CBT-I can certainly improve anxiety symptoms. In fact, several clinical trials demonstrate that individuals randomized to CBT-I show significant reductions in anxiety symptoms compared to those randomized to control conditions. "This isn't surprising given that poor sleep often leaves people more 'on edge' and anxious. Headspace also offers a guided program specifically for anxiety and depression, the CBT for Anxiety & Depression program, which incorporates CBT techniques specific to improving anxiety and depression symptoms. "The course has been shown to decrease anxiety & depression symptoms, improve sleep quality and positively impact mental health and wellbeing (results currently being prepared for peer review)." "Some people tend to benefit more from CBT-I than others, though much more research is needed to clarify these differences. There is little downside [to CBT-I], and it's likely to provide you with a greater sense of control over your sleep "There is some evidence that shorter sleepers with insomnia- those sleeping less than six hours, for example- may struggle with CBT-I more than longer sleepers. "This is likely because one of the active mechanisms for why CBT-I is effective is through time in bed restriction, which may not be as powerful in those already getting little sleep. "In my clinical experience, CBT-I may also be less effective in individuals with complex psychiatric or medical presentations. "In some cases there may be conditions or medications that are impacting sleep where CBT-I may not completely resolve the sleep concern." "While CBT-I remains the gold standard for treating insomnia, it isn't always accessible. Headspace's sleep course 'Finding Your Best Sleep' was created to expand low-cost access to effective sleep support. Unlike sleep medications, CBT-I does not carry any long term risk "The course expands access to proven sleep support by offering expert-led, self-guided sessions that can be completed anytime, anywhere. Included with a Headspace membership, it offers flexibility and affordability—removing common barriers to care. "The course has been clinically proven to improve insomnia after practicing just 10 minutes a day over the course of 18 days. "I hope that anyone who is struggling with insomnia will consider a trial of CBT-I in any way that is accessible to them. There is little downside, and is likely to provide you with a greater sense of control over your sleep experience. "Unlike sleep medications, CBT-I does not carry any long term risk. Moreover, the strategies learned through CBT-I can be useful well into the future and sleep changes as our lives unfold." "My suspicion is that stress and feelings of uncertainty are the most likely culprits of insomnia. For so many- too many- we feel like we are in a state of hypervigilance, and this results in nights of disturbed sleep. In turn, we often lack the emotional resources to deal with the stressors the following day, leading to yet another night of poor sleep. Thankfully, programs like CBT-I can help provide a roadmap to better regulate our sleep, and when coupled with stress management strategies, can help us cope with this stressful world." "First, I would say that they are not alone. In fact at least 30% of adults, if not more, are not getting adequate sleep. The second piece of advice is to take stock of your sleep life. Is it that you are getting sleep but don't feel refreshed? At least 30% of adults, if not more, are not getting adequate sleep "Is something disrupting your sleep? Are you so pressed for time that you are not giving yourself enough opportunity? The answer to these questions will lead to different solutions. "If you are worried about your sleep, the first step could be to talk to your doctor to make sure that you don't have a sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, disrupting your sleep. "If not and you're looking for a personalised approach, consider trying CBT-I through a sleep specialist, I always suggest that people explore the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine directory to find someone in their region."
