The field of human-robot interaction is moving towards a deeper understanding of how robots can provide emotional support to humans, particularly in situations of loneliness and stress. Recent studies have shown that repeated interactions with social robots can lead to significant reductions in feelings of loneliness and perceived stress. The use of large language models and conversational AI has enabled robots to facilitate structured conversations that support cognitive reappraisal and emotional reflection. Furthermore, research has explored how people self-disclose to robots and other artificial agents, revealing consistent thematic focus and semantic structure in their disclosures. The development of AI-driven interactive narratives and immersive experiences is also providing new insights into emotional connection and understanding within family dynamics. Noteworthy papers include: The paper 'What People Share With a Robot When Feeling Lonely and Stressed and How It Helps Over Time' which demonstrates the effectiveness of a robot-led intervention in reducing loneliness and stress. The paper 'The Dream Within Huang Long Cave' which introduces an AI-driven interactive narrative experience that deconstructs complex familial relationships and underscores the authenticity of interpersonal emotions.