Chatbots have proven to be efficient when it comes to addressing any business related job roles. But their capabilities are so much. Incorporating bots in business activities is just the beginning. They have great potential to be the future of therapy and create awareness about mental health.

Numerous therapy chatbots have already been launched. But there’s still a long way to go to achieve the fullest potential.

Here are a couple of reasons why Chatbots are a great way to address mental health problems –

Availability

Although, there are numerous psychologists and doctors who are available to help people with their mental needs, they’re not available 24×7. Most of the time, you can meet them only after you schedule an appointment. There is a huge mismatch when it comes to availability. Bots are readily available. They might be able to help the person out during their vulnerable times or alert the necessary authorities if its a serious situation.

Anonymity

People are often not comfortable with discussing their personal problems or issues with another person, even if its a qualified medical and health professional. And the truth is, it takes the professionals a certain amount of time to break down the patient’s walls and to gain their trust. But with chatbots, users feel secure about the anonymity. They do not think that they’re being judged about their problems. They do not feel any apprehensions while talking to a bot.

Cost Efficient

Visiting a mental health professional can be a very expensive process. And not everyone can afford to spend such money. Bots can be helpful because they are extremely economical. The cost to develop and optimize a bot is still minimal compared to the amount needed to visit a doctor regularly. And this is one of the reasons why people prefer talking to a chatbot.

Although, bots show great potential in the field of therapy and mental health, they are not the end game. However, they can act as first-line-tools and guide people into getting the proper help they need.

Do you have any other thoughts about chatbots in therapy? Let us know what you think!

It is no surprise that Chatbots are technology’s answer for reducing the human workload. The possibilities of incorporating a chatbot into your business are endless and so are its benefits. But care must be taken to ensure that these bots are not only created to join the fad but also adds some value to your business.

We know the one common complaint against the chatbots is the lack of personal touch. Users complain that the conversation with a bot seems robotic and repetitive. Once your customers start criticizing the performance of your bots, it is hard to bounce back. This might have a negative impact on your business.

But worry not, we’ve got some tips for you to consider before you develop your very own chatbot. These tips can ensure that your bot has got all the necessary ingredients to build an engaging conversation with the user :

Establish goals

Goals are important because it is the guiding factor for both the brand and its users. The purpose of a chatbot could be completely different, from providing online support, book orders for the customers, or help solve any customer issues or grievances. Once the goal is established, the company can work towards customizing the communication pattern of the bot.

Make the bot user-friendly and proactive

The chatbot must be easy to use and communicate with. Brands must avoid using complicated and technical jargons and keep the language simple. The customer is not expecting complex words but is only expecting responsiveness and answers to his/her questions.

It is also necessary for the bot to keep the conversation flowing and engaging. Bots can even add some value to the conversation by sharing some offers/discounts/other information that the user might find useful. Or if an user is looking for a particular product which is unavailable at your store, the bot must be able to offer some alternatives to the original one. This kind of value addition is what sets a chatbot apart from the others.

Incorporate Call-To-Action buttons

Sometimes, a customer does not want a long and interesting conversation with a bot but is rather looking for some quick answers. This is where the CTA buttons can help your business. Incorporating these CTA buttons in the right places can also help provide quick solutions to the customers. Some examples of CTA buttons include, feedback button, contact us button and links to certain webpages. These action buttons also track and measure the effectiveness of your bot.

Developing and maintaining a bot is a journey. With the above mentioned tips, you can ensure that your bot has got what it takes to build a conversation effectively and efficiently!