Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Ebb?

  Ebb is an empathetic conversational AI chatbot that helps members actively self-reflect. Regular self-reflection can be a tool for mental and emotional health. With the guidance of Ebb, members will have a space within the Headspace app to pause, reflect, and sort out their thoughts. Members can also receive recommendations for relevant content, helpful exercises and activities based on what they share with Ebb. Ebb draws from Headspace content to make personalized, tailored recommendations to Headspace members.

• How do I use Ebb?

  To start, just tap the Ebb tab in your Headspace app and follow the prompts to begin chatting, by voice or text, whichever feels best to you. Tap the microphone to talk out loud, and Ebb will listen and respond in real time with empathy, reflection, or a personalized activity recommendation. You can switch back and forth between voice and text at any time, and your conversation history is always in your control.
  Ebb Voice is available to Headspace members 18 and up in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, and we’re working to bring it to more countries soon.

• Who can use Ebb?

  At this time, Ebb is available to all Headspace subscribers based in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Ebb is only for individuals aged 18 and up. Ebb is only available in English. We are currently working to mindfully deploy access to Ebb to our members that access Headspace through their employers, health plan, and navigation partners. 

• Who can see information entered into Ebb?

  All messages to Ebb are encrypted and no reflections are shared with unauthorized third parties, nor are they used for targeted advertising purposes. 

  If you have a care team through Headspace, information that you enter into Ebb is not shared with them, unless you elect to share this information.

• I don’t see Ebb in my Headspace app, why is that?

  Ebb is available to those that are based in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and use the English version of Headspace. If you have access to Headspace through your employer or healthcare provider, you may not yet have access to Ebb. In the future, we are working to mindfully explore how we might bring Ebb to additional members that access Headspace through their employers, health plan, and navigation partners.

• Can Ebb replace my therapist or mental health coach?

  Ebb does not replace human care. Ebb is an AI-powered tool that’s designed to help you better understand yourself. While therapy and coaching provide deeper emotional support, Ebb can help you maintain mental wellness by encouraging regular reflection and mindfulness.

  Ebb is not a substitute for human care, does not provide clinical mental health services and is not monitored in real time by a human. If you have a care team, information that you enter into Ebb is not shared with them, unless you elect to share this information. 

  If you need support for a mental health condition, please talk with a licensed provider. If you are in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room. 

  If you are located in the United States or Canada and you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  You can find additional international mental health resources here.

• Who can see the conversations I have with Ebb?

  We use leading practices to protect privacy and adhere to privacy-related regulations. We encrypt Ebb data and store it in secure environments. We also minimize employee access to data on a need-to-know basis – for example, when conducting quality assurance or improving Ebb’s interactions.

• Is your new AI feature Ebb able to mitigate bias?

  Ebb has been rigorously tested through exercises specifically designed to identify and mitigate potential biases, as well as to promote health equity. We evaluate and improve Ebb's cultural responsiveness through a multifaceted approach that includes routine testing, monitoring, and ongoing collaboration with experts.