I’ve always considered myself a rational, evidence based person when it comes to mental health. As someone who’s navigated depression for years, I believed in traditional therapy, medication, and human connection. The idea of an AI mental health therapist chatbot free of charge seemed like science fiction at best, and at worst, a potentially dangerous replacement for genuine care. But when my depression symptoms intensified during a particularly stressful period, and I found myself between therapists, I reluctantly decided to try something I never imagined I would: a free AI therapist for depression support. What followed completely transformed my perspective on mental health technology.