I think that NOTHING can take the place of my psychiatrist. She asks me to really examine my own behavior and offers much insight that I often miss.
She doesn't just write prescriptions. We sit in her office and really work on my overall health.
She just squeezed me in today because I'm in a crises situation. It was my best friend that suggested that I call her.
So, while I believe there is certainly a need and a place for online support groups, I think that too much online time can be isolating and actually detrimental towards our health.
Also, we can trigger each other, which is never a good thing.

That article however, is about something entirely different. It's about a new sort of "app" if you will, to remind us to go to the gym or to see friends or take a walk if our computer or phone notices changes in our behavior.

Ultimately, imho, machines are NOT human, and shouldn't try to fool us into thinking they are human. Machines can not take the place of medicine or even a good friend.

Didn't need to read the article to know what you are talking about. My health insurance company offered me free access to test there depression software. They seemed to think it could replace a therapist. I never messed with it. Scary to think that one day you don't see a doctor but go to webmd, or a politician can reprogram your doctor's software.

IMHO...no app could ever replace the sound of a caring, human voice...I find such devices a bit scarey with all the hackers able to get into anything....how much personal/private stuff is going to end up going viral when these things hit the market???

How impersonal and cold... I was immediately reminded of the movie A.I. after reading that article... This "virtual coach" reminds me of the male robot prostitute in the movie.. Part of being depressed for me is feeling out of touch with the rest of the world...And supposedly a computer can solve this??? WTF

HUGS