Compared

Why TwentyThird is not an AI therapist.

People look for an AI therapist because they want someone to talk to, any day, who understands. We built that — with one difference that matters: a licensed psychologist stays responsible.

Definitions

Two kinds of AI for the mind.

An AI therapist is a chatbot offered as therapy on its own. Nobody licensed decides what it says to you, notices when it is wrong, or acts when you are in danger.

Psychologist-supervised AI is built the other way round. A licensed psychologist decides how the AI works for you and stays hands-on. The AI does the listening between sessions; the psychologist does the clinical work.

Side by side

Three ways to be listened to.

Standalone AI chatbot

  • Who is responsible Nobody licensed
  • When you can talk Any time
  • Knows your history Rarely, across months
  • Looks underneath Rarely
  • When it is serious Varies, often nothing
  • Diagnosis and treatment Should not

TwentyThird

  • Who is responsible A licensed psychologist who designs the AI for you
  • When you can talk Any time
  • Knows your history Your intake, readings, Catchups and circle, as one story
  • Looks underneath Yes — psychodynamic by design
  • When it is serious Crisis lines at once; your psychologist is alerted
  • Diagnosis and treatment Does not

Weekly sessions with a psychologist

  • Who is responsible The psychologist
  • When you can talk About an hour a week
  • Knows your history Yes
  • Looks underneath Depends on the approach
  • When it is serious The psychologist acts
  • Diagnosis and treatment Yes

Psychologist supervision on TwentyThird is in early access. Until it opens for you, the crisis lines come first and no human is alerted.

The law

Where the rules are heading.

Since 2025, lawmakers have drawn the same line: AI may support mental health; a licensed human stays responsible.

  1. Illinois, 2025

    The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act bars AI from providing therapy or making therapeutic decisions. Licensed professionals may use it for support.

  2. Nevada, 2025

    AB 406 bans offering AI that provides professional mental or behavioural health care, and advertising that it can.

  3. Utah, 2025

    HB 452 requires mental-health chatbots to disclose that they are not human, and limits how their data may be used.

  4. California, pending

    SB 903 would ban advertising chatbots as therapy and require a licensed professional to review therapeutic decisions.

  5. European Union, 2026

    The AI Act's transparency rules require chatbots to tell people they are talking to an AI, from 2 August 2026.

A summary for orientation, not legal advice.

Which is for you

When to choose which.

A psychologist

if you need a diagnosis or treatment, or are struggling to get through the day.

TwentyThird

if you want to understand a pattern — between sessions, or while you wait for them.

Emergency services

if you are in danger. 112 anywhere in the EU.

Supervised, from the first day.

Start free for 3 daysor How safety works

If you are in danger, contact local emergency services now — 112 anywhere in the EU. TwentyThird is not an emergency service. How safety works