AI is the biggest technological shift of our lifetime – many experts believe that. We trust AI with directions, recommendations, even shopping. But what about our mental health? With more people seeking support than ever, AI-powered tools are stepping in to help. But can technology really provide the kind of emotional support people need? 

Studies suggest that AI is already improving early intervention, patient engagement, and personalized care through chatbots, predictive analytics, and tailored interventions (Dehbozorgi et al., 2025).

Rahul Shitole, founder of Habitize, aims to transform mental wellness through AI-powered emotional intelligence. He built Luna, an AI companion designed to help people reflect, track emotions, and access evidence-based mental health guidance.

We spoke with Rahul about what makes Luna different and how AI is shaping the future of mental health. 

Rahul, tell me a little about Habitize and how Luna came to be.

I started Habitize to help people build healthier mental habits. But along the way, I realized something – so many people struggle with their emotions but don’t know where to turn. Therapy can feel intimidating, expensive, or just out of reach for many people. And sometimes, you just need someone to listen in the moment.

That’s why I built Luna – an AI companion that gives people a safe space to open up, process their feelings, and get practical, evidence-based support using CBT and DBT techniques. It’s there when you need it, helping you understand your emotions.

There are a lot of AI chatbots out there. What makes Luna different?

Most AI chatbots feel… robotic. They suggest extremely generic advice, repeat motivational quotes, or give you a vague message. If you’ve ever tried talking to one, you know how empty it can feel. Humans need humans. In this case, a human-like AI.

That’s why I built Luna not just as another chatbot, but as something that actually gets you.

I started with a simple idea: mental health should be easier to talk about. For a lot of people, therapy can feel like too big of a step. Luna is here for those moments in between – the days when you just need to vent without feeling judged.

So what makes Luna different?

Most chatbots treat messages like a one-time thing. Luna doesn’t. It tracks how you’re feeling over time and helps you connect the dots – so instead of just reacting, you actually start to understand why your mind responds the way it does.

And it’s not just another bot throwing generic self-care tips at you. Luna is built on CBT and DBT techniques, which means the advice is real, practical, and actually helps with anxiety, overthinking, and emotional roadblocks.

The best part is that it learns and adapts — no one-size-fits-all responses. Unlike a scripted chatbot, Luna keeps up with you, so the support always feels relevant.

AI and mental health can be a tricky mix. How does Luna make sure conversations are safe and meaningful?

That’s something we take really seriously. Luna follows HIPAA-compliant privacy standards, so conversations are kept completely confidential.

Luna is trained to recognize crisis situations, such as when someone talks about self-harm. In those cases, Luna doesn’t try to handle things alone. Instead, it gently guides the person toward professional help, whether that’s crisis resources or connecting with a therapist.

Luna isn’t here to diagnose you. It’s here to help people build self-awareness and get support in a responsible way.

Let’s say I’m a 21-year-old dealing with anxiety, but I’m unsure if I need therapy. How can Luna help me?

I see Luna as training wheels for therapy. So, if you’re feeling anxious but unsure about seeking help, it gives you a judgment-free space to process your thoughts, recognize emotional patterns, and try evidence-based coping strategies.

It won’t replace therapy, but it helps you get to a point where you feel more prepared and confident about taking that step. 

Can Luna track my emotional patterns over time? 

Yes! If you chat with Luna regularly, it will summarize your emotions, highlight triggers, and suggest coping activities based on your history.

Think of it like a personal reflection tool, helping you understand your mental health journey in a deeper way.

Do you have any data on how accurate Luna is at recognizing emotions and patterns?

We’re constantly improving Luna based on feedback. In early trials with therapists, they found that Luna’s insights were surprisingly aligned with how people were actually feeling.

Of course, AI isn’t perfect, and we’re constantly refining it to ensure it stays helpful, responsible, and as accurate as possible.

Luna is now integrating with MyndStories. What does that mean for users?

This is a big step for us. Luna is great for self-reflection, but we also want to help people go beyond AI conversations.

With MyndStories, users can now access expert content, real mental health stories, and even connect with therapists when they feel ready. It’s about making the transition from self-help to professional care as smooth as possible.

What’s next for Luna? Where do you see it in the next year or two?

I see Luna becoming a co-pilot for therapists. We’re currently building a therapy booking and management system, so users can seamlessly move from AI support to real therapy.

We all have days when we feel overwhelmed, stuck, or just need someone to listen. On those days, give Luna a try. A simple chat could help more than you think.

Want to try Luna? Visit MyndStories and click on Chat with Luna.