Headspace is a mental health app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. It began with guided meditation and now covers mindfulness courses, sleep content, mental health coaching and online therapy that accepts insurance in the United States. It is sold to individuals by subscription and to employers and health plans as a benefit.
Its AI feature is Ebb, which Headspace describes as an empathetic conversational AI chatbot that helps members reflect on what they are feeling. Members talk to Ebb by voice or text, and it suggests meditations and activities from the Headspace library based on what they share. Headspace says mental health experts built and tested it, and that a proprietary safety system directs members to further care or crisis support when needed. Messages are encrypted and, according to the company, are not shared with unauthorized third parties or used for targeted advertising.
Headspace is clear about the limits: Ebb is not a substitute for human care, does not provide clinical mental health services and is not monitored by a human in real time. It is available to paid members aged 18 and over in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, in English only, and members who get Headspace through an employer may not have it yet. Annual, monthly, family and student plans are sold, with a 14-day free trial; prices were not confirmed and are not quoted here.
