> In the UK, you can access a psychologist for free

I've used one of the free NHS therapists and frankly it was worse than talking to a chatbot. They clearly follow a script and don't exhibit empathy. They hurry you through the stages in their scripts so that they can say they're done with you as quickly as possible. I've spoken to a few close friends and they had similar experiences.

I can't even get angry at them, because I know how under-resourced the NHS is. The reality is that mental health services are just too expensive in their current form.