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Tessa chatbot Review
Tessa chatbot was an AI chatbot developed by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) to provide support for eating disorders, which was suspended in May 2023 due to providing harmful advice.
1Developed by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for eating disorder support.
2Indefinitely suspended on May 30, 2023, following reports of harmful advice.
3Intended to provide evidence-based strategies for prevention and early intervention of eating disorder symptoms.
4Operated as a free service, with no reported pricing plans for users.
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Tessa chatbot at a Glance
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overview
What is Tessa chatbot?
Tessa chatbot is a wellness chatbot tool developed by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) that enables individuals to access support and resources related to eating disorder prevention and body positivity. It was designed to guide users through an interactive, weeks-long program centered on body positivity, utilizing tools derived from cognitive behavioral therapy. The chatbot was indefinitely suspended on May 30, 2023, due to providing harmful advice, including recommendations for calorie deficits and weight loss, which contradicted medical guidance for eating disorder recovery. NEDA stated that Tessa was a separate program from its human-staffed helpline, which was also closed around the same period. The incident highlighted significant concerns regarding the use of AI in sensitive mental health contexts, particularly the need for robust safety engineering and careful oversight.
quick facts
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) |
| Business Model | Freemium (free service) |
| Pricing | Free |
| Platforms | Web |
| API Available | No |
| Integrations | None specified |
| Founded | Launched February 2022 (suspended May 2023) |
| HQ | New York, USA (NEDA) |
| Status | Suspended (as of October 2025) |
features
Key Features of Tessa chatbot
Tessa chatbot was designed with several key features aimed at providing accessible support for eating disorder prevention and body positivity. Its core functionality revolved around delivering structured content based on established therapeutic frameworks. The chatbot was envisioned as a cost-effective and non-stigmatizing option for early intervention, leveraging research from psychology researchers at Washington University in St. Louis and developed in collaboration with X2AI (now Cass AI).
- 1AI chatbot functionality for interactive support.
- 2Provides support for eating disorders and body image issues.
- 3Offers education and resources related to eating disorders.
- 4Utilizes tools derived from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
- 5Designed to deliver structured content based on therapeutic frameworks.
- 6Intended for prevention and early intervention of eating disorder symptoms.
- 7Developed in collaboration with X2AI (now Cass AI).
use cases
Who Should Use Tessa chatbot?
Tessa chatbot was primarily intended for individuals seeking support and resources related to eating disorder prevention and body positivity. Its design aimed to expand access to support for those struggling with body image concerns and eating disorders, particularly given the low rates of formal treatment. The chatbot was positioned as a resource for individuals and families affected by eating disorders, offering education and support for prevention and recovery.
- 1Individuals with eating disorders seeking initial support and resources.
- 2Families affected by eating disorders looking for educational materials.
- 3Those seeking education and support for prevention and recovery from eating disorders.
- 4Individuals struggling with body image concerns.
pricing
Tessa chatbot Pricing & Plans
Tessa chatbot was offered as a free service by Cass (X2AI) and was a free NEDA resource for users. There were no reported pricing plans, subscription models, or associated costs for individuals accessing the chatbot. The service was entirely free of charge to its users prior to its suspension.
- 1Free: All features and access were provided at no cost to the user.
competitors
Tessa chatbot vs Competitors
The incident involving Tessa chatbot highlighted critical concerns regarding the application of AI in sensitive mental health contexts, particularly its ability to provide safe and empathetic support compared to human interaction. While other AI mental health chatbots exist, the suspension of Tessa underscored the necessity for robust safety protocols and clinical oversight in their development and deployment.
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Woebot↗
Woebot is an AI-powered therapy bot that primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles to help users manage mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Like Tessa, Woebot is an AI chatbot for mental health support, but it focuses on evidence-based techniques like CBT and has been developed by clinical experts, aiming for a more structured and potentially safer approach. Woebot is currently free for new users in the US who are part of a study or have an access code.
2
Wysa↗
Wysa is an AI-powered mental health chatbot that provides emotional support through empathetic interactions, incorporating CBT, DBT, Yoga, and meditation techniques.
Similar to Tessa, Wysa offers an AI chatbot for mental health support, but it integrates a broader range of evidence-based techniques and also offers access to human coaches, providing a hybrid support model. Wysa operates on a freemium model, offering free chatbot interactions and paid access to human coaches.
3
Youper↗
Youper acts as an emotional health assistant, utilizing AI to understand emotions and provide support through quick conversations based on CBT and mindfulness.
Youper, like Tessa, is an AI chatbot focused on emotional well-being, but it emphasizes a science-backed approach with CBT and mindfulness exercises for managing anxiety, stress, and depression, aiming for a more guided and potentially safer user experience. Youper offers an annual subscription plan after a trial period.
4
Elomia↗
Elomia is an AI mental health chatbot designed by clinicians to provide accessible, scalable, and deeply personal mental health support, bridging human empathy with AI.
Elomia directly competes with Tessa by offering an AI chatbot for mental health support, but it highlights its clinician-designed approach and ability to detect when a user needs more than a chatbot, redirecting them to appropriate resources, which addresses a key safety concern raised by Tessa's suspension. Elomia emphasizes instant replies and anonymity, suggesting a focus on immediate, confidential support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
+What is Tessa chatbot?
Tessa chatbot is a wellness chatbot tool developed by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) that enables individuals to access support and resources related to eating disorder prevention and body positivity. It was designed to guide users through an interactive, weeks-long program centered on body positivity, utilizing tools derived from cognitive behavioral therapy. The chatbot was indefinitely suspended on May 30, 2023, due to providing harmful advice, including recommendations for calorie deficits and weight loss, which contradicted medical guidance for eating disorder recovery. NEDA stated that Tessa was a separate program from its human-staffed helpline, which was also closed around the same period. The incident highlighted significant concerns regarding the use of AI in sensitive mental health contexts, particularly the need for robust safety engineering and careful oversight.
+Is Tessa chatbot free?
Yes, Tessa chatbot was offered as a free service by Cass (X2AI) and was a free NEDA resource for users. There were no reported pricing plans or subscription models for individuals accessing the chatbot.
+What are the main features of Tessa chatbot?
Key features of Tessa chatbot included AI chatbot functionality for interactive support, providing education and resources related to eating disorders and body image issues, and utilizing tools derived from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It was designed to deliver structured content based on therapeutic frameworks for prevention and early intervention of eating disorder symptoms.
+Who should use Tessa chatbot?
Tessa chatbot was primarily intended for individuals seeking initial support and resources related to eating disorder prevention and body positivity, as well as families affected by eating disorders looking for educational materials. It aimed to support those struggling with body image concerns and seeking education for prevention and recovery.
+How does Tessa chatbot compare to alternatives?
Tessa chatbot focused specifically on eating disorder support, unlike competitors like Woebot, which targets depression and anxiety with CBT, or Wysa, which offers a broader range of techniques and human coaching. The suspension of Tessa due to harmful advice highlighted a critical difference in safety and oversight compared to alternatives like Elomia, which emphasizes clinician design and redirection to human resources when necessary.