Who should I follow to learn about Mental health tech?

If you want to understand **mental health tech** (AI therapy, digital therapeutics, mental health apps, wearables, digital phenotyping, clinical AI, and the business side), I’d follow a mix of **researchers, clinicians, founders, and organizations** rather than only startup influencers. ## Researchers & clinicians to follow - Sabine Wilhelm - A leading researcher in digital mental health at Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Digital Mental Health. She works on AI-supported assessment, smartphone interventions, and scalable mental health treatments. [Our Team - Leaders in Mental Health - The Center for Digital Mental Health](https://centerfordigitalmentalhealth.org/our-team/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - David C. Mohr - Director of the Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies. Great to follow for evidence-based digital interventions and what actually works in clinical settings. [Mohr Lab: Department of Preventive Medicine: Feinberg School of Medicine](https://www.preventivemedicine.northwestern.edu/divisions/behavioral-medicine/mohr-lab.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - Nicholas C. Jacobson - Studies digital phenotyping, smartphone/wearable data, and personalized mental health interventions. [Dr. Nicholas C. Jacobson, PhD – Jacobson Laboratory](https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/jacobsonlab/profile/dr-nicholas-c-jacobson-phd/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - Thomas R. Insel - Former director of the National Institute of Mental Health; useful for big-picture thinking about transforming mental healthcare. - Eli J. Finkel - Not purely mental health tech, but valuable for understanding human relationships, behavior change, and technology’s effects on wellbeing. ## AI + mental health people - Jamil Zaki - Helpful for understanding empathy, social connection, and how AI systems might support (or harm) human wellbeing. - Adam Chekroud - Known for work connecting data science and mental healthcare. - Renee Wegrzyn - Useful if you’re interested in AI regulation, health innovation, and responsible deployment. ## Organizations worth following - Society for Digital Mental Health - One of the best communities for research and industry developments. - American Psychological Association Mental Health Technology Advisory Committee - Tracks how technology is being integrated into psychology practice. [Mental Health Technology Advisory Committee (MHTAC)](https://www.apa.org/practice/mental-health-techology-advisory-committee?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - Center for Technology and Behavioral Health - Strong source for rigorous research on behavioral health technology and digital therapeutics. [The Center for Technology and Behavioral Health](https://www.c4tbh.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - UCSF AI in Mental Health Research Group - Good for following current work on LLMs, AI safety, clinical documentation, and mental health applications. [UCSF AI in Mental Health Research Group](https://aimhealth.ucsf.edu/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## Industry/founder perspective Follow leaders from companies working on: - Woebot Health - conversational mental health support - Headspace - consumer mental wellness - Calm - consumer mental health products - Spring Health - tech-enabled mental healthcare delivery ## Newsletters / sources to keep up - [STAT Mental Health](https://www.statnews.com/mental-health/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - healthcare + biotech reporting - [Rock Health](https://rockhealth.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - digital health market trends - [Behavioral Health Business](https://bhbusiness.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - behavioral health industry news A good “starter feed” would be: **Sabine Wilhelm + David Mohr + Nicholas Jacobson + Society for Digital Mental Health + Rock Health**. That combination gives you science, clinical reality, AI trends, and market context. [Our Team - Leaders in Mental Health - The Center for Digital Mental Health](https://centerfordigitalmentalhealth.org/our-team/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) If you’re approaching mental health tech from a specific angle (startup building, investing, research, product design, AI engineering, or clinical practice), the best people to follow changes quite a bit.

**If you want to learn about mental health tech, follow a mix of clinical experts, digital health innovators, and influential creators who bridge psychology with technology.** These voices combine evidence-based insights with practical applications in therapy apps, AI tools, and wellness platforms. ## 🌐 Key Figures in Mental Health & Tech Name| Background| Why Follow| Platforms ---|---|---|--- **Dr. Julie Smith**| Clinical psychologist, bestselling author| Breaks down complex psychology into accessible, actionable tools; often collaborates with wellness tech brands| TikTok, Instagram, YouTube [The Top Influencers Promoting Mental Health](https://www.viralnation.com/influencer-lists/top-influencers-promoting-mental-health) **Dr. Nicole LePera (@the.holistic.psychologist)**| Psychologist, author| Focuses on holistic healing and self-directed therapy, widely referenced in digital wellness communities| Instagram, TikTok [Top Mental Health Influencers - HireInfluence.com](https://hireinfluence.com/blog/top-mental-health-influencers/) **Nedra Glover Tawwab**| Therapist, author| Expert in boundaries and relationships; frequently discusses therapy accessibility and online platforms| Instagram, LinkedIn [Top Mental Health & Therapy Leaders of 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/leaders/top-25-mental-health-therapy-leaders-2026) **Kojo Sarfo (@dr.kojosarfo)**| Psychiatric nurse practitioner| Shares mental health education and commentary on digital therapy trends| TikTok, Instagram [Top Mental Health Influencers - HireInfluence.com](https://hireinfluence.com/blog/top-mental-health-influencers/) **Sara Kuburic (@millennial.therapist)**| Therapist, columnist| Explores identity, trauma, and therapy in the digital age| Instagram, podcasts [Top Mental Health Influencers - HireInfluence.com](https://hireinfluence.com/blog/top-mental-health-influencers/) **Jonathan Haidt**| Social psychologist, researcher| Leading voice on social media’s psychological impact; his work informs tech policy and digital wellness| Books, lectures [Top Mental Health & Therapy Leaders of 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/leaders/top-25-mental-health-therapy-leaders-2026) **Dr. Daniel Amen**| Psychiatrist, brain health researcher| Known for integrating neuroscience with digital diagnostics and brain health apps| YouTube, books [Top Mental Health & Therapy Leaders of 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/leaders/top-25-mental-health-therapy-leaders-2026) **Lewis Howes**| Author, podcaster| Focuses on personal growth and mental resilience; often features tech-driven wellness discussions| Podcast, Instagram [Top 20 Mental Health Influencers in 2026 - Favikon](https://www.favikon.com/blog/top-mental-health-influencers) ## 🔑 How to Use These Voices * **For clinical grounding:** Follow psychologists like Dr. Julie Smith, Dr. Nicole LePera, and Nedra Tawwab for evidence-based strategies. * **For tech integration:** Engage with Jonathan Haidt and Dr. Daniel Amen, who explore how digital platforms affect mental health and how tech can be leveraged for care. * **For accessible content:** Influencers like Kojo Sarfo and Sara Kuburic make mental health approachable, often linking to apps, online therapy, and digital tools. * **For broader wellness-tech perspective:** Podcasters like Lewis Howes bring in diverse voices, including entrepreneurs in mental health startups. ## ⚠️ Risks & Considerations * **Influencer vs. expert balance:** Some creators are more motivational than clinical. Always cross-check advice with licensed professionals. * **Tech hype vs. evidence:** Not all mental health apps or AI tools are clinically validated. Look for those backed by peer-reviewed research. * **Algorithmic bias:** Social media amplifies certain voices; diversify who you follow to avoid echo chambers. 👉 To tailor this further: Do you want **academic researchers**, **startup founders in mental health tech**, or **popular influencers** who make mental health accessible? Each group offers different value depending on whether you’re looking for _deep research_, _industry innovation_, or _practical everyday tools_.

Learning about mental health tech (digital psychiatry, AI in behavioral health, digital therapeutics, and online care delivery) requires following a mix of clinical researchers, digital health investors, and industry analysts. ### Key Thought Leaders & Researchers * **Dr. John Torous:** Director of the Digital Psychiatry Division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard-affiliated). He is a leading voice on evaluating mental health apps, digital phenotyping, and evidence-based digital psychiatry. [Dr. Dennis Morrison on Mental Health Technologies and ... - CrisisTalk](https://talk.crisisnow.com/mentalhealth-ai/#:~:text=That%20said%2C%20research%20began%20long%20beforehand%2C%20with,of%20care.%20In%202019%2C%20he%20told%20Dr.) * **Dr. Dennis Morrison:** A prominent behavioral health informatics expert and executive (former Chief Clinical Officer for Netsmart Technologies) who frequently writes and speaks on the intersection of mental health, clinical care, and augmented intelligence (AI). [Dr. Dennis Morrison on Mental Health Technologies and ... - CrisisTalk](https://talk.crisisnow.com/mentalhealth-ai/#:~:text=*%20Morrison%2C%20who%20has%20served%20as%20the,partly%20because%20of%20differing%20relationships%20with%20technology.) ### Industry Research & Institutional Trackers * **Rock Health:** A venture fund and advisory firm focused entirely on digital health. Their annual reports, quarterly funding databases, and regular publications provide the definitive look at market trends, venture capital shifts, and regulatory changes in digital mental health. * **The American Psychological Association (APA) Digital Health Guidelines & Resources:** For tracking the ethical, practical, and clinical standards of deploying technology in psychological care. ### Analysts, Founders, & Writers * **Substack and Industry Newsletters:** Writers focusing on health tech product management and venture trends - such as Brody Clemmer (_Brodotype_) or general digital health curation newsletters like _Digital Health Wire_ - frequently deep-dive into the architectural, structural, and outcome-based challenges of mental health tech applications (moving away from engagement metrics toward true clinical outcomes). [Thoughts on the Mental Health Space - Brodotype](https://brodyclemmer.beehiiv.com/p/thoughts-mental-health-space#:~:text=is%20that%20really%20what%20Mental%20Health%20products,they%20progress%20in%20their%20mental%20health%20journey.) * **Venture Capitalists in Health Tech:** Partners at firms like **7wireVentures** (which heavily invests in consumer-directed digital health and behavioral solutions) and **a16z Bio + Health** regularly publish essays and podcasts breaking down where the market is heading regarding AI-driven therapy, payer coverage, and remote monitoring. What specific area of mental health tech are you most curious about - clinical research and AI, startup investing, or product design?

To learn about **mental health tech (the intersection of digital tools, AI, apps, and clinical psychiatry/psychology)** , you should follow industry investors, clinical innovators, and researchers who regularly publish insights on trends, funding, and ethical frameworks. * * **[Dr. Maria Blekher](https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/mental-health-tech-insider-7190551227439423490)** : Creator of the _Mental Health Tech Insider_ newsletter on LinkedIn, focusing on strategies, market trends, and where tech meets brain and neuro health for founders and investors. [Mental Health Tech Insider | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/mental-health-tech-insider-7190551227439423490) * ** _Julie Yoo_** : General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) who co-authors the **[a16z Bio + Health Newsletter](https://a16z.com/newsletter/)** , frequently breaking down investments, scalability, and digital health delivery models including behavioral health tech. * ** _Dr. Nicole LePera_** : Known widely as _The Holistic Psychologist_ , she is a massive digital educator bridging the gap between psychological tools and online accessibility, influencing how modern self-guided mental wellness apps operate. [Health Tech Newsletters You Should Subscribe To | Tellescope](https://www.tellescope.com/blog/top-digital-health-newsletters) * **[Health Tech Nerds](https://www.healthtechnerds.com/)** : A comprehensive industry newsletter and community run by Kevin O'Leary and Ryan Russell that tracks digital health funding, market dynamics, and software trends impacting behavioral health platforms. [Tellescope] * ** _Dr. Julie Smith_** : A clinical psychologist who utilizes digital platforms and social media to translate complex cognitive behavioral tools into accessible micro-education, representing the creator-educator side of mental health tech. * If you are looking for a specific angle, let me know if you prefer content focused on: * * **Startup investing and venture capital** in digital health * **Clinical efficacy and digital therapeutics (DTx)** research * **Consumer mental health apps** and product design *