Corey Dion Lewis talks with Cole Smith, founder of Opal, about how AI is changing mental health care without replacing the human relationship that makes therapy work.

You will hear:

• How AI can strengthen the therapeutic alliance
• Where bias and privacy risks show up in AI mental health tools
• What therapists should look for when evaluating platforms
• How AI may improve access in rural communities
• What it takes to build trust in digital mental health

This episode is for clinicians, public health leaders, founders, and anyone tracking the future of mental health equity and ethical AI.

Try Opal AI
 For therapists: heyopal.com
 Free AI chat: chat.heyopal.com

Clinician offer
 40% off your first year + 1 month free
 Code: PODCAST

Show Notes
 0:01 – Welcome to The Healthy Project Podcast
 0:46 – Meet Cole Smith and the mission behind Opal
 1:43 – Why the therapeutic alliance still leads the work
 2:09 – Privacy, bias, and trust in AI-powered therapy
 3:21 – Why resistance to AI is growing and what’s driving it
 4:35 – Balancing automation with real human connection
 6:52 – How AI can help therapists understand patterns and needs
 8:30 – Rural access and where AI can close gaps
 9:54 – Cost barriers and the fragmented mental health tech landscape
 11:29 – The therapist search problem and communication gaps
 14:29 – How clinicians can use AI without fear-led decision making
 17:43 – How to evaluate platforms for privacy and compliance
 19:08 – What Opal is building next
 21:11 – Where to find Cole Smith and Opal resources

Guest
 Cole Smith
 Founder of Opal AI

Resources & Links

Follow Cole Smith on LinkedIn
Opal for therapists: heyopal.com
Opal free chat: chat.heyopal.com

Call to action
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