TechnologyAI AwardsTherapists’ digital doubles could ease mental health waiting listsA “Clinical Twin” aims to provide help after hours or between human sessions, without the well documented dangers of generic chatbots.Marika Conomos, founder and CEO of Ecko Health, says off-the-shelf chatbots are being relied on for mental health help without the necessary guardrails. Louie DouvisRuby Prosser ScullyJun 2, 2026 – 5.00amAustralia is in a mental health crisis, with people often stuck on long waiting lists to see a psychologist. Some now turn to chatbots to plug that gap.The result? Headlines about “AI psychosis” and legal action resulting from users’ suicides.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Latest In TechnologyFetching latest articles