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Made with for better mental health
v2.2.0

Woebot

Woebot is an evidence-based conversational agent that offers 24/7 mental health support using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mood tracking, journaling, and guided conversations. Designed to deliver instant, on-demand emotional support and self-help tools, Woebot has been studied in randomized trials showing reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms after short-term use.
digital tools
Reviewed by the HeyPsych Medical Review Board
Board-certified psychiatrists and mental health professionals
Medical Review Board
Published: December 25, 2025
Last Updated: November 28, 2025
Last Reviewed: January 9, 2026

In Plain Terms

Woebot is a chat-based, AI–powered mental health tool you can use any time for mood tracking, guided exercises, and emotional check-ins. It’s helpful for managing mild to moderate depression or anxiety, stress, and daily mental-health maintenance. It’s not a replacement for professional therapy if you have severe mental illness or crisis—use it as a supplement or stepping stone.

Woebot

Mental Health / Chatbot Therapy

Privacy Certified
4.7
200K reviews

Available On

iOS
Android
Web
Data Export
Free Tier Available
Last updated: 11/28/2025

How Well Does It Work?

Significant reduction or improvement
Depression symptom reduction (2-week RCT) + stress & resilience (8-week observational)
vs. Compared to control (information-only) or baseline

In Plain Terms

Many users say they feel less depressed, less anxious, and more capable of coping with stress after a few weeks of regular use. Consistent use seems to produce the most benefit.

In the first randomized controlled trial of Woebot, college students with depression or anxiety who used the app daily for 2 weeks reported a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to a control group. In an 8-week observational study (Woebot-LIFE), working adults reported significantly less perceived stress, lower burnout, and improved resilience.
Source:
Fitzpatrick KK et al.; Eltahawy L et al. (2017, 2023). Woebot RCT (2017) & Woebot-LIFE observational study (2023). JMIR Ment Health (2017), Digital Health (2023).View Study

Who Should Use This?

Best For:

Woebot is best for people who:

  • Experience mild to moderate depression or anxiety
  • Want an accessible, 24/7 self-help tool they can use from anywhere
  • Prefer flexible, conversational support instead of structured courses
  • Want to build daily mental-health habits like mood tracking or self-reflection
  • Need something private, low-cost, and easy to integrate into daily life

Not Recommended For:

  • People with severe mental illness (severe depression, active suicidal thoughts, psychosis)
  • Those needing formal therapy, medication, or crisis intervention
  • Users expecting long-term therapy or deep trauma work

Key Features Explained

Chat-based CBT Conversation

Daily or on-demand conversational check-ins where Woebot helps you examine thought patterns, challenge unhelpful thinking, and use CBT strategies to reframe and cope.

Evidence: Used in RCT and observational studies showing symptom reduction in depression and stress.

Mood Tracking & Journaling

Users can log mood, feelings, and thoughts. App tracks patterns over time and offers reflections or coping tips based on entries.

Evidence: Self-monitoring is a common element in many effective digital mental health interventions; helps increase self-awareness and adherence.

Guided Exercises & Psychoeducation

Includes breathing exercises, mindfulness prompts, emotion regulation skills, relaxation techniques, and psychoeducational modules about mental health.

Evidence: CBT, mindfulness, and psychoeducation are evidence-based practices for mild/moderate anxiety and depression.

On-demand, 24/7 Availability

Because Woebot is always accessible, you can use it whenever you need support—no appointment required.

Evidence: High accessibility and ease of use increase engagement and may improve adherence compared to traditional therapy in early stages.

Cost & Subscription

Woebot offers a free tier with core features; some advanced features may require subscription.

Free

$0

Users who want basic mood tracking, journaling, chat-based support, and guided exercises

Premium (if available)

$59.99/year (approx.)

Users wanting extra content, advanced features, or priority access

Free Features

  • • Chat-based CBT conversation
  • • Mood tracking and journaling
  • • Guided exercises and psychoeducation
Insurance

Not typically covered by insurance. Some employer wellness plans may subsidize access.

Platform Availability

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

4.7★ (App Store)

Full chat interface, mood tracking, journaling, guided exercises

Android

4.5★ (Google Play)

Full chat interface, mood tracking, journaling, guided exercises

Web Browser

Limited or read-only access (varies by subscription); chat typically via mobile app

Privacy & Data Security

B

Woebot follows standard privacy and security practices. Data is encrypted; app is GDPR/CCPA compliant. Users can export or delete data on request.

Data Collected

  • Email or login identifier
  • Usage data (conversations, mood entries, frequency)
  • Device and OS information
  • Subscription/payment data (if using paid features)
  • Optional self-report data (mood logs, journaling)

Data Shared

  • Aggregated and anonymized usage analytics with service providers
  • Payment data with payment processors
No Data Sales
Encrypted
GDPR Compliant
CCPA Compliant
Meets standard privacy and security practices (as described by Woebot Health)
  • Encryption of account and conversation data
  • Anonymized or aggregated analytics — no sale of personal data to advertisers
  • User control over optional mood journaling and data export
  • Does not claim HIPAA compliance — not suitable for formal clinical documentation
  • Safe-use policy: offers resources if user expresses suicidal ideation or crisis (but not a replacement for a crisis hotline or therapist)

How to Start Using Woebot

How to Get Started

  1. 1Download Woebot from the App Store or Google Play, or visit the official website.
  2. 2Create a free account with email/login credentials.
  3. 3Complete the onboarding mood assessment to help tailor conversation style.
  4. 4Start daily check-ins — even 5 minutes a day can help build a habit.
  5. 5Use mood tracking or journaling to log feelings, stressors, or trigger events.
  6. 6Try guided CBT exercises or mindfulness practices when feeling anxious, stressed, or low.
  7. 7If premium features exist and you find value in them, consider upgrading for additional content.

Pro Tips

  • • Use it regularly — consistency improves results more than session length.
  • • Be honest in moods and entries for better self-awareness over time.
  • • Treat it as a supplement — not a replacement for in-person therapy if you need it.
  • • Use the app as a tool, not a crutch — combine with healthy habits (sleep, exercise, social support).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Expecting instant dramatic change — mental health improvements often develop over weeks.
  • • Using only when feeling very unwell — regular check-ins help build resilience.
  • • Assuming Woebot can handle crises alone — seek professional help if in crisis.
  • • Ignoring data privacy—delete or export data if needed.

Similar Tools to Consider

Headspace

View

Structured meditation and mindfulness training — better for stress, focus, sleep, and building a meditation habit over time. Woebot is more conversational and CBT-oriented.

Calm

View

Great for relaxation, sleep stories, and guided meditations. Woebot is better for mood tracking, emotional support, and CBT-based conversation.

Related Mental Health Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder
supportive
moderate

Woebot has been shown in randomized trials to reduce depressive symptoms after 2 weeks of use. Can be used as a supplemental self-help tool for mild to moderate depression, but not a replacement for therapy or medication for severe depression.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
supportive
moderate

Conversational CBT and daily check-ins help reduce anxiety and stress symptoms. Helpful for mild/moderate GAD as part of a broader mental-health plan.

Stress Related Disorders
supportive
low

Regular use over weeks associated with reductions in perceived stress and burnout in observational use. Best combined with other stress-management practices (sleep, therapy, lifestyle).

Frequently Asked Questions