Schools Are Using AI for Therapy?

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Across the country, many teenagers are turning to Sonny when they feel they have no one else to confide in. Sonny is a hybrid chatbot—part AI, part human—designed to provide emotional support in schools where mental health resources are scarce.

Sonar Mental Health, the company behind Sonny, is rolling out this AI-enhanced "wellbeing companion" to school districts struggling to meet student mental health needs. With an increasing demand for mental health services and a shortage of counselors, schools are exploring innovative solutions.

A Hybrid Approach to Mental Health Support

As concerns rise over chatbots generating unreliable or even harmful advice, many schools hesitate to rely on AI-only solutions. Sonar's model sets itself apart by incorporating human oversight—mental health professionals, crisis support staff, and social workers review AI-suggested responses and engage with students directly when needed.

"Sonny acts as a co-pilot, assisting humans in responding to students," explains Sonar CEO Drew Barvir, who co-founded the company while studying at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

With youth anxiety and depression on the rise, Barvir believes engaging teens through their preferred medium—texting—could help address mental health concerns early. By adopting a conversational style similar to an older sibling, Sonny resonates with students in a way traditional support systems often do not.

Currently, the chatbot is available to over 4,500 students in nine school districts, many in rural or low-income areas with limited mental health services. The American School Counselor Association recommends one counselor per 250 students, yet the national average is one per 376. Alarmingly, 17% of high schools lack a counselor altogether, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

How Sonny Works

Sonny suggests responses to students' messages, which human staff members can modify or replace. Sonar’s team monitors 15 to 25 chats simultaneously, ensuring real-time human engagement when necessary.

If a student expresses thoughts of self-harm or harming others, Sonar immediately alerts parents, school officials, and law enforcement when needed. The AI also notifies staff when to follow up with students and helps tailor responses based on prior conversations. One key insight from interacting with teens? Simple smiley faces are considered "cringe"—expressive emojis like the melting face are preferred.

Providing Judgment-Free Support

Seventeen-year-old Michelle Herrera Rojas, a senior at De Anza High School in Richmond, CA, has struggled with depression for years and has occasionally seen a therapist. When her school introduced Sonny, she decided to give it a try.

Stressed about college applications and grieving a recent loss in her family, she turned to Sonny. After a few days of no interaction, Sonny followed up, asking about her progress. She confided about her cousin's passing and her struggle to stay on top of applications. Sonny reassured her that distraction is a normal coping mechanism while also encouraging her to stay focused on her goals.

That follow-up made a difference. "It felt like someone genuinely cared, and it pushed me to stay on track," Herrera Rojas says. She also appreciates that Sonny is always available to listen. "Sometimes I fixate on things and worry about annoying my friends. With Sonny, I don’t feel like a burden."

Expanding Access to Mental Health Tools

Sonny is available to students between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. Eastern Time. A team of six human moderators provides oversight across shifts, with plans for expanding to 24/7 availability. The chatbot has been trained in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques with guidance from researchers at Stanford and the University of California, Irvine.

Barvir was inspired to create the company after witnessing his mother's struggles with mental health. He lost her to suicide in his early 20s, a personal experience that drives his mission to make support more accessible. Sonar partnered with its first school in January 2024 and has since secured $2.4 million in pre-seed funding through grants, venture capital, and a Stanford fellowship.

AI as a Supplement, Not a Replacement

Bonnie Mitchell, a licensed clinical counselor researching AI in mental health, acknowledges chatbots' potential but emphasizes that they can’t replace in-person therapy. "Human therapists can pick up on subtle cues, like body language, which AI relies on being explicitly provided. That means AI can be misled," she explains.

To address this, Sonar makes it clear that Sonny is not a therapist. The AI frequently encourages students to seek human support and allows them to share social media accounts with Sonar for monitoring any concerning online behavior. If staff detect signs of distress, they work with parents and schools to connect students with professional help.

Student conversations remain confidential unless self-harm or violence is mentioned. If a student closes their account, Sonar retains their data for 60 days but allows deletion requests at any time. Schools receive aggregated data on student concerns, helping administrators develop better mental health initiatives.

A Growing Impact on Schools

At Berryville High School in Arkansas, where two counselors serve 565 students, Ashley Sharp saw a need for additional support. She introduced Sonny last fall as an experiment to bridge the gap. Since then, 175 students have signed up, with over half texting Sonny multiple times a month.

Sharp has observed a rise in messages during exam periods, prompting the school to offer additional stress-management resources. Notably, disciplinary incidents have dropped by 26% since Sonny was implemented.

"Students tell us they appreciate having a safe, judgment-free space," Sharp says.

Identifying Students in Need

Marysville Public Schools in Michigan, which adopted Sonny last month, has already seen its impact. When a high school student expressed suicidal thoughts through Sonny, school officials were immediately notified. The district was able to intervene, ensuring the student received necessary support.

"This tool is allowing us to identify students who might have otherwise gone unnoticed," says Karrie Smith, the district’s executive director of special education.

The Future of AI in Student Mental Health

With rising student mental health challenges and counselor shortages, AI-human hybrid models like Sonny may play a vital role in the future of school-based support systems. While not a substitute for traditional counseling, these tools are proving to be a valuable resource for students seeking help when no one else is available.

As the demand for mental health services grows, schools are increasingly looking to AI to supplement human support—ensuring no student has to struggle alone.