AI therapy chatbots are popping up everywhere, promising instant mental health support whenever you need it. But here’s the big question: Can a bot really "get" you the way a human therapist does? While these tools are handy—especially when waiting lists for therapists are long—experts wonder if their programmed empathy can ever replace the real deal.

Editor’s Note: Mental health care is in high demand, and AI chatbots are stepping in to fill the gap. They’re accessible and affordable, but this story digs into whether they’re a Band-Aid or a real solution. It matters because, as tech reshapes therapy, we need to figure out where it helps—and where it falls short.