AI Mental Health Tools That Support Therapists: Cole Smith of Opal

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 allianceWhere bias and privacy risks show up in AI mental health toolsWhat therapists should look for when evaluating platformsHow AI may improve access in rural communitiesWhat it takes to build trust in digital mental healthThis 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.comClinician offer 40% off your first year + 1 month free Code: PODCASTShow 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 resourcesGuest Cole Smith Founder of Opal AIResources & LinksFollow Cole Smith on LinkedIn Opal for therapists: heyopal.com Opal free chat: chat.heyopal.com Call to action Follow The Healthy Project Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode with one therapist or leader exploring ethical AI in mental health. ★ Support this podcast ★