Prototyping a chatbot for training in cognitive distortion recognition

Cognitive distortions are systematic errors and biases in human thinking that negatively affect emotional well-being and can ultimately contribute to various mental health problems. Although counseling and psychotherapy are generally effective in addressing these biases, access to therapy may be limited depending on the region and the individual's financial situation. This paper explores the potential of chatbots as an accessible tool for teaching cognitive biases and describes the process of developing and usability evaluating a chatbot prototype. Preliminary results of user testing showed that the audience needs independent control over the speed of learning the material, the ability to consolidate knowledge on practical materials, and the ability to return to learning at any time. To successfully learn the concept of cognitive biases, users need to know what characteristics each one has. The study contributes to the growing field of technological interventions in mental health and suggests promising opportunities for using chatbots to work on mental well-being.