On this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Ali Yilmaz, co founder and CEO of AITherapy.care, to unpack how an AI powered CBT coach is closing the access gap in mental health care. From long waitlists and high session fees to the confusion around what therapy actually is, Ali breaks down why the current system leaves so many people behind. He shares how his own anxiety, isolation and burnout as a young product manager in the United States pushed him to build the tool he could not find. This conversation goes deep into cognitive behavioral therapy, AI, negative thought patterns, self doubt, anxiety, depression and emotional resilience, framed in a way that is practical for busy professionals, students and high achievers. If you have ever felt like therapy is too expensive, too slow or too confusing to start, this episode gives you a clear, grounded look at how structured self help and AI can work alongside traditional therapy to support your mental health journey and not replace human clinicians.
About the Guest Ali Yilmaz:Ali Yilmaz is the co founder and CEO of AITherapy.care, an AI powered CBT support platform helping thousands of users challenge negative thoughts, manage anxiety and build emotional resilience in a private, affordable and on demand way. Originally an engineer and product manager who moved to the United States at 23, Ali struggled with loneliness, self doubt and anxiety in a high pressure tech environment. Traditional therapy felt expensive, slow and hard to access. Leaning on his background in AI and his curiosity about cognitive behavioral therapy, he built an experimental chatbot for himself that evolved into a global tool. Today, Ali and his team are focused on responsible mental health technology, transparent use of CBT frameworks and giving people an accessible first step into mental health support.
Key Takeaways:-
Access gaps are real Ali experienced long waitlists, high costs and scheduling friction when he first tried to find therapy. That frustration made it clear that many people who need help simply cannot access it in time.
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CBT works because it is structured Cognitive behavioral therapy offers clear frameworks to spot negative thinking patterns, question them and reframe them. Ali highlights simple but powerful tools like asking. “Do I have proof this thought is true.”
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Most anxiety is story driven, not fact driven His anxiety was not about being bad at his job. It was about self created narratives and catastrophizing. Once he started testing his thoughts against evidence, his feelings and behavior shifted.
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AI plus CBT can scale support, not replace therapists AITherapy.care uses static CBT structures inside an AI system to guide users through exercises. It is positioned as a self help and skills building tool that can complement therapy, not a substitute for clinical care.
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The best products start from real pain Ali did not start with a pitch deck. He started as a young immigrant trying to breathe again. The strong early pull from users showed that many others needed the same bridge into mental health support.
You can explore Ali’s work and connect with him through AITherapy.care.
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Visit: https://www.aitherapy.care/ The first email you receive from the platform will be from Ali personally. Reply directly to share your experience, ask questions or suggest improvements.
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From AITherapy.care you can also find links to:
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Ali’s Twitter X profile
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Instagram and other social channels for AITherapy Ali specifically invites feedback on what is working for you and what could be improved in the AI powered CBT experience.
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Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life. DM on PM Send me a message on PodMatch
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DM Me Here. https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik
Disclaimer. This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country or profession mentioned. All third party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.
About Healthy Mind By Avik™️Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it has become a sanc
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