Someone looking for support with anxiety or depression might find it easier to open a chat than to work through online articles and exercises. Woebot was a conversational agent designed to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychological treatment, through chatbot interactions. section 9.5
A two-week comparison
In a study of 70 college students reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression, participants used either Woebot or an online mental-health resource. Both groups showed similar reductions in symptoms after two weeks. The researchers considered the chatbot an engaging way to deliver CBT, but the comparison did not establish that it worked better than the resource. section 9.5
Promise did not settle the question of clinical effectiveness. Limited evidence meant none of Woebot’s products received US Food and Drug Administration approval. Woebot shut down on June 30, 2025; its founder cited the cost and difficulty of obtaining authorization. section 9.5
