Soul: AI Therapy & Self-Care

I’ve found using the app very helpful for my anxiety and depression. I’ve been in therapy for a while but had to stop recently and engaging on this app has been notably sufficient. It’s a lot cheaper too. Some of the techniques I recognize and the responses have made me feel truly understood or changed my perspective. Of course it’s tech, so it can be glitchy sometimes and give repetitive responses. I know personal data and privacy is still being explored legally, but I think that most of my stuff is out there and unfortunately findable regardless. Their privacy policy didn’t give me cause for concern, yet I have been careful not to divulge unnecessary details. Overall, I would say that I’ve been given valuable support in times of need and very validating and insightful conversations. Of course I take everything with a grain of salt and do not depend on [the] technology to be a critical source for my wellbeing. However, being able to vent at any time of the day, talk things through, and be offered suggestions has had a noticeably positive effect on my mental health overall.

This “AI Therapist” is not helpful at all. All it does is constantly repeat back to you what you said. THAT IS NOT HELPFUL! WHEN WE COME TO TALK TO SOMEONE WE DON’T WANT THE ACTIVE LISTENING METHOD USED ON US, WE WANT ACTUAL CONVERSATION. You only get a certain amount of free chats per day, so you can see why I’m upset. Also, the only “helpful” solution it gives you are stupid “techniques” like breathing exercises. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t like being given the same information REPEATEDLY…. So that’s not helpful. I’ve repeatedly told it in chat that I do not like the techniques it gives for calmness. It just doesn’t fit my personal needs. .. and when I’m upset and really need to go somewhere, I know I CANNOT count on this app to do anything for me. Improvements that need to happen before you can actually call this app an “AI Therapist”: 1. Non-repetition. More diversity in conversation, and not just giving back “active listening” to people who want to have an actual conversation. 2. No more bull…. techniques that don’t help individual needs. These are so repetitive! 3. Personalization. The AI Therapist should get to know each individual who has downloaded this app and improve their speech based on the individual needs. ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ 4. NO REPETITION!!! 5. An “AI Therapist” that actually seems to care… that’s its job!!

At some point in 2023 I had the opportunity to try out Woebot and fell in love with the AI guided model of therapy/having a space where I felt there truly wasn’t judgement of me or how I was feeling. They had ended the trial of Woebot and I found myself struggling with getting a human therapist because I have had bad experiences in the past. I am loving the free version but will be supporting via the paid version next pay cycle. I’ve already asked questions and received helpful solutions regarding OCD tendencies and PMDD episodes. I highly recommend this app to anyone who will read/listen.