Latest news with #BetterHelp
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NEWS OF THE WEEK: Lewis Capaldi reveals therapy helped pave his way back to music
Last month, the Scottish hitmaker made a triumphant return to the Glastonbury stage, two years after announcing his break from the music industry to focus on his mental and physical health. Just days before announcing his hiatus in 2023, Lewis performed on the Pyramid Stage but was unable to complete his set as he was struggling to manage his Tourette syndrome symptoms. In a new campaign with the online therapy platform BetterHelp, Lewis opened up about the impact of his mental health on his performance at Glastonbury in 2023.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Psychotherapist reveals the secret to relaxing on holidays
Many people struggle to transition from busy daily life to holiday mode, often trying to cram too much in rather than truly resting. Senior psychotherapist Dr. Michael Swift and BetterHelp therapist Joanne Saulter say to ease into holidays, physically slow yourself down by taking slower walks or eating more intentionally, which helps calm the nervous system. Avoid the pressure to do numerous activities; instead, focus on enjoying just a few things each day to properly relax and destress. Prioritise self-regulation and understand your holiday values, setting boundaries like limiting phone use to ensure quality time and rest. Catch up on sleep by allowing lie-ins and moderating alcohol, and engage in new activities to break routine and stimulate your mind.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BofA Remains a Hold on Teladoc Health (TDOC), Sets a PT of $8.75
Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) is one of the 13 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy Under $10. Bank of America Securities analyst Allen Lutz reiterated a Hold rating on Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) on July 3 with a price target of $8.75, justifying it with the company's current and future performance. A doctor wearing a face mask and lab coat providing remote medical advice via video chat. The analyst reasoned that Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) is experiencing a growth slowdown, especially in its Livongo and BetterHelp segments, which underwent a drop in app downloads and monthly active users. Lutz attributed this deceleration to a rise in customer acquisition costs and a cautious consumer spending environment. However, the analyst also acknowledged that Teladoc Health, Inc.'s (NYSE:TDOC) recent acquisitions, Catapult and Uplift, are paving the way for future revenue growth despite these challenges. Lutz further stated that these initiatives are in their early stages and would require time to materialize. Similarly, other strategic initiatives, such as international expansion and insurance coverage, will also take time to make an impact, according to the analyst, supporting the cautious near-term outlook and potential for long-term growth. Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) provides virtual healthcare services and operates through two segments: BetterHelp and Teladoc Health Integrated Care. The BetterHelp sector covers its direct-to-consumer (D2C) mental health platform. Teladoc Health Integrated Care comprises a range of global virtual medical services, including specialty medical, expert medical services, general medical, mental health, chronic condition management, and more. While we acknowledge the potential of TDOC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
The AI therapist will see you now: Can chatbots really improve mental health?
Texas: Recently, I found myself pouring my heart out, not to a human, but to a chatbot named Wysa on my phone. It nodded - virtually - asked me how I was feeling and gently suggested trying breathing exercises. As a neuroscientist, I couldn't help but wonder: Was I actually feeling better, or was I just being expertly redirected by a well-trained algorithm? Could a string of code really help calm a storm of emotions? Artificial intelligence-powered mental health tools are becoming increasingly popular - and increasingly persuasive. But beneath their soothing prompts lie important questions: How effective are these tools? What do we really know about how they work? And what are we giving up in exchange for convenience? Of course it's an exciting moment for digital mental health. But understanding the trade-offs and limitations of AI-based care is crucial. Stand-in meditation and therapy apps and bots AI-based therapy is a relatively new player in the digital therapy field. But the US mental health app market has been booming for the past few years, from apps with free tools that text you back to premium versions with an added feature that gives prompts for breathing exercises. Headspace and Calm are two of the most well-known meditation and mindfulness apps, offering guided meditations, bedtime stories and calming soundscapes to help users relax and sleep better. Talkspace and BetterHelp go a step further, offering actual licensed therapists via chat, video or voice. The apps Happify and Moodfit aim to boost mood and challenge negative thinking with game-based exercises. Somewhere in the middle are chatbot therapists like Wysa and Woebot , using AI to mimic real therapeutic conversations, often rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy. These apps typically offer free basic versions, with paid plans ranging from USD 10 to USD 100 per month for more comprehensive features or access to licensed professionals. While not designed specifically for therapy, conversational tools like ChatGPT have sparked curiosity about AI's emotional intelligence. Some users have turned to ChatGPT for mental health advice, with mixed outcomes, including a widely reported case in Belgium where a man died by suicide after months of conversations with a chatbot. Elsewhere, a father is seeking answers after his son was fatally shot by police, alleging that distressing conversations with an AI chatbot may have influenced his son's mental state. These cases raise ethical questions about the role of AI in sensitive situations. Where AI comes in Whether your brain is spiralling, sulking or just needs a nap, there's a chatbot for that. But can AI really help your brain process complex emotions? Or are people just outsourcing stress to silicon-based support systems that sound empathetic? And how exactly does AI therapy work inside our brains? Most AI mental health apps promise some flavor of cognitive behavioral therapy, which is basically structured self-talk for your inner chaos. Think of it as Marie Kondo-ing, the Japanese tidying expert known for helping people keep only what "sparks joy." You identify unhelpful thought patterns like "I'm a failure," examine them, and decide whether they serve you or just create anxiety. But can a chatbot help you rewire your thoughts? Surprisingly, there's science suggesting it's possible. Studies have shown that digital forms of talk therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially for mild to moderate cases. In fact, Woebot has published peer-reviewed research showing reduced depressive symptoms in young adults after just two weeks of chatting. These apps are designed to simulate therapeutic interaction, offering empathy, asking guided questions and walking you through evidence-based tools. The goal is to help with decision-making and self-control, and to help calm the nervous system. The neuroscience behind cognitive behavioral therapy is solid: It's about activating the brain's executive control centres, helping us shift our attention, challenge automatic thoughts and regulate our emotions. The question is whether a chatbot can reliably replicate that, and whether our brains actually believe it. A user's experience, and what it might mean for the brain "I had a rough week," a friend told me recently. I asked her to try out a mental health chatbot for a few days. She told me the bot replied with an encouraging emoji and a prompt generated by its algorithm to try a calming strategy tailored to her mood. Then, to her surprise, it helped her sleep better by week's end. As a neuroscientist, I couldn't help but ask: Which neurons in her brain were kicking in to help her feel calm? This isn't a one-off story. A growing number of user surveys and clinical trials suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy-based chatbot interactions can lead to short-term improvements in mood, focus and even sleep. In randomised studies, users of mental health apps have reported reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety - outcomes that closely align with how in-person cognitive behavioral therapy influences the brain. Several studies show that therapy chatbots can actually help people feel better. In one clinical trial, a chatbot called "Therabot" helped reduce depression and anxiety symptoms by nearly half - similar to what people experience with human therapists. Other research, including a review of over 80 studies, found that AI chatbots are especially helpful for improving mood, reducing stress and even helping people sleep better. In one study, a chatbot outperformed a self-help book in boosting mental health after just two weeks. While people often report feeling better after using these chatbots, scientists haven't yet confirmed exactly what's happening in the brain during those interactions. In other words, we know they work for many people, but we're still learning how and why. Red flags and risks Apps like Wysa have earned FDA Breakthrough Device designation, a status that fast-tracks promising technologies for serious conditions, suggesting they may offer real clinical benefit. Woebot, similarly, runs randomised clinical trials showing improved depression and anxiety symptoms in new moms and college students. While many mental health apps boast labels like "clinically validated" or "FDA approved," those claims are often unverified. A review of top apps found that most made bold claims, but fewer than 22 per cent cited actual scientific studies to back them up. In addition, chatbots collect sensitive information about your mood metrics, triggers and personal stories. What if that data winds up in third-party hands such as advertisers, employers or hackers, a scenario that has occurred with genetic data? In a 2023 breach, nearly 7 million users of the DNA testing company 23andMe had their DNA and personal details exposed after hackers used previously leaked passwords to break into their accounts. Regulators later fined the company more than USD 2 million for failing to protect user data. Unlike clinicians, bots aren't bound by counselling ethics or privacy laws regarding medical information. You might be getting a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, but you're also feeding a database. And sure, bots can guide you through breathing exercises or prompt cognitive reappraisal, but when faced with emotional complexity or crisis, they're often out of their depth. Human therapists tap into nuance, past trauma, empathy and live feedback loops. Can an algorithm say "I hear you" with genuine understanding? Neuroscience suggests that supportive human connection activates social brain networks that AI can't reach. So while in mild to moderate cases bot-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy may offer short-term symptom relief, it's important to be aware of their limitations. For the time being, pairing bots with human care - rather than replacing it - is the safest move. (The Conversation)
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Olivia Roderigo offers 'free therapy' to crew after gruelling 17-month tour
Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is paving the way for mental health awareness after her guitarist revealed that the singer paid for therapy for the entire crew on tour. The 22-year-old's 'Guts World Tour' ran from February 2024 up until the final show in Manchester at the start of July 2025. In total, she performed 102 shows across several continents: a tall order for both her and her crew. But Rodrigo's guitarist Daisy Spencer has revealed that their mental health was a huge priority to the singer. Speaking to The Stage Left podcast, she revealed that professional therapy was on offer throughout the tour for all band and crew members. She said: 'Olivia and our tour manager, Marty Hom, made accessible and free therapy for all of the touring personnel.' She added: 'I have never had anything like that. And that reignited the importance of therapy to me because I had just kind of fallen off for so long.' The 'Vampire' singer is not the only star advocating for mental health, either. Lewis Capaldi recently teamed up with the online therapy platform BetterHelp to give his fans 734,000 hours of free online therapy – a reference to the 734 days the artist took to focus on his mental health after he experienced difficulties during a 2023 Glastonbury Festival set. Positivity and success coach Casey Paul believes celebrities being vocal about mental health can have a 'massive' impact. She says: 'When leaders speak openly about mental health, it gives everyone else permission to do the same and breaks the stigma that can often be attached to it. Instead of mental health being seen as a private issue, or a weakness it becomes part of normal culture – something human, and worth supporting.' Of course, while touring can be a particularly stressful environment, therapy can be beneficial in a wide range of workplaces. Lauren Baird is a psychotherapist at Inner Glow Therapy who has witnessed many people coming in with burnout. She reveals: 'So many people come to therapy struggling with their mental health, but terrified to say anything at work, scared they'll be seen as weak, unprofessional, or just not good enough. 'That kind of stigma has been around for years, especially when it comes to things like anxiety, depression or burnout. You'd never question someone taking time off for a physical illness, but when it comes to emotional health, there's still this fear it'll be judged as a character flaw." However, she says that she has been seeing a definite shift in attitudes. She says: 'More workplaces are starting to include therapy as part of their wellbeing offering — and culturally, we're beginning to understand that emotional regulation and resilience are just as important as physical health.' Plus, she points out that it's also beneficial for the employer too. She says: 'We also know from research that emotionally supportive workplaces have more productive teams and fewer cases of long-term sickness.' According to the Mental Health Foundation, poor mental wellbeing costs British employers an estimated £42 billion to £45 billion per year, through working while sick, sickness absence and staff turnover. Meanwhile, in 2022 and 2023 were an estimated 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
