The AI Will See You Now: Why Millions Are Turning to Chatbot Therapists

Algorithms and Empathy – the World is Hiring a New Wave of Therapists, and They’re All Robots

By Jess Wight | June 16, 2026

“Sometimes I cried really hard during the process… and it listened and just we figured out a lot of feelings… after a few months, when I go to school I felt a difference. Like wow. Like my body’s belongs to me… I really felt so liberated”  

Sheng, 17, China, describing their deep connection with an AI Chatbot for support

There is no denying that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now deeply embedded in today’s society. From personal companionship to professional use, the trajectory continues to climb. The increase in use of AI has been unprecedented: according to the Stanford University Human-Centred AI’s 2026 report, AI has been deeply embedded into everyday life by the public quicker than both the PC and the internet.

Globally, 58% of employees now report using AI at work, marking a substantial shift in how we handle daily tasks. This trend is fueling a growing fear that AI will eliminate jobs over the next couple of decades, with nearly two-thirds of Americans expecting jobs to be replaced by automation.

It is a striking paradox: while more than half the global population reports feeling anxious about the rise of AI, the mental health field is embracing the technology to provide emotional support. From the use of AI scribes among therapists to using technology to interact with patients, AI is becoming seamlessly integrated within the industry.

One catalyst for this shift was the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2025 report, teletherapy (videoconferencing with a therapist instead of in-person) is now the most common form of mental health intervention. Teletherapy is becoming increasingly enhanced by AI, with new algorithms able to assess a patient’s emotional state in real time during video sessions by analyzing subtle changes in facial expressions, voice tone, and speech pattern. Therapists can use platforms like Kintsugi to receive instant feedback during sessions to increase their understanding of the patient and adjust their therapeutic approach.

Limited access to mental health services is a long-standing obstacle for many seeking support. There are many barriers standing in the way for individuals in need of care in todays society; the Pan-Canadian Health Inequalities Reporting Initiative identify three main obstructions:

o   Access: Individuals who don’t live in large metropolitan areas face a lack of availability of services.

o   Cost: Financial constraints often play a role as access to publicly funded resources is limited and often involve significant wait times.

o   Stigma: Many individuals experience stigma and discrimination (based on age, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and culture) when seeking help.

Although addressing these challenges have been a focal-point in psychological literature for well over a decade, emerging AI-driven advancements are beginning to narrow the systemic gaps.

Leading this wave of change are AI chatbots. A 2026 scoping review of more than 20 studies across 11 countries found that these chatbots are used to address a range of conditions, most frequently anxiety and depression, as well as wellbeing domains such as stress and loneliness. The majority of studies reported chatbots utilizing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to aid their intervention, along side other methods like self-help exercises and emotional support.

Globally recognised and widely practiced, CBT is a highly robust therapeutic approach backed by over 250 meta-analytic studies supporting its efficacy in treating numerous mental health conditions. Most chatbots are text-based, however some incorporate voice or multimodal approaches to create a more realistic interaction.

 “Chatbots are empowering individuals to take charge of their mental wellbeing”

Omarov and colleagues, describing the positive outcomes of using AI to deliver CBT

Chatbots are directly addressing the three main hurdles to mental health care, starting with geographic limitations. Due to their 24/7 availability, chatbots vastly outperform in-person therapy regarding accessibility, convenience, and ease of use.

Canada’s vast geography leaves many residents in rural and remote areas isolated from care. As a result, healthcare professionals are stretched thin in attempts to cover large territories. This strain impacts the wellbeing of caregivers as well residents. Thanks to AI chatbots, individuals in more remote or under-resourced areas can have the same opportunities as those living in better connected urban areas, significantly alleviating the burden on healthcare professionals.

The benefit of instant access is particularly notable in crisis situations when connecting with a real-life therapist may not be immediately possible. Now, you can receive evidence-based CBT and crisis intervention at the click of a button, with crisis help-lines using chatbots to provide immediate, scalable support. This demonstrates just how life-changing the growth of AI is becoming.

“I don't know where to reach out to. I don't have health insurance to cover it after retirement. It’s hard… where does somebody go to who feels like me?”

Male, 66, Ontario, explaining his financial fears when attempting to reach out for help

Addressing the financial barrier to treatment is an ongoing battle for healthcare systems across the world. Between underfunded public mental healthcare and the current cost-of-living crisis, the system is fueling more mental health crises than it is preventing.

The Canadian Mental Health Commission report 39% of adults “feel financial pressures are affecting their mental health”, and that 29% are not accessing mental healthcare due to an inability to fund treatment. These statistics are deeply concerning, revealing a critical gap in access to affordable, quality care – a gap that chatbots are uniquely positioned to bridge.

The final factor inhibiting individuals from seeking mental health support is more troubling: the issue of stigma and discrimination.

A 2023 systematic review indicates many people suffering with mental health conditions are deterred from reaching out for help due to previous experiences of discrimination, most commonly racism and homophobia.  One Native American client explained that accessing support for a second time was more difficult because they “already had this preconceived notion… I came in like ‘you don’t understand me’. I was cautious, I already had a wall up.” – this apprehension was a direct result of previous experiences being influenced by their ethnicity.

Another patient shared a similar sentiment regarding cultural disconnects:

"Because as a white woman, first of all, she didn’t understand where I was coming from. So, to me, it’s a waste of time-I totally hated it! White women always had a stigma against Black women."

Female, US, describing her experience in the traditional mental healthcare system

Mental health stigma is nothing new, but it remains a powerful barrier. Many people continue to suffer in silence, avoiding the care they need because they fear judgement from healthcare providers, peers, and even friends and family.

“I think most individual could go to therapy and it would probably be a good thing for them, but there is a social stigma around being male and going to therapy. Or rather men don't talk to men about their issues or anything like that.”

Male, 35, Ontario, discussing deep-rooted stigma he feels surrounding men’s mental health

Consequently, the anonymity provided by chatbots has emerged as a critical factor in their success. Combating both stigma and discrimination, chatbots provide a judgement-free space, allowing users to seek help without the fear of exposure or bias.

A 2024 study reports several participants’ positive experience of the anonymous nature of AI. Jane, a 24-year-old chatbot user from the US, described her experience as providing emotional sanctuary: “compared to friends and therapists, I feel like its safer”. Providing a private and discreet platform for individuals to access support whenever they need could transform the lives of many who are hesitant or fearful of seeking help.

By facilitating free, anonymous, 24-hour support, chatbots show great promise in overcoming the key barriers to accessing mental health resources. As these advancements continue to integrate into our daily lives, we should expect to see a profound shift in the delivery of mental health services - and ultimately prepare ourselves for a new era of technology-driven, accessible care.