Remote work changed everything. It gave us flexibility, eliminated commutes, and let millions of people rethink what work could look like.

But did we lose something along the way?

This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni discuss new research looking at the connection between working from home, loneliness, and mental health.

They explore why the small moments we often overlook — hallway conversations, grabbing coffee, chatting with coworkers — may play a bigger role in our well-being than we realized.

Toni shares a therapist’s perspective on why human connection matters, how isolation impacts mental health, and why the solution isn’t necessarily going back to the office. It’s about being more intentional with connection.

In this episode:
💻 The hidden mental health impact of remote work
🧠 Why comfort and well-being aren’t always the same thing
☕ The importance of small everyday interactions
📱 Whether digital connection can replace in-person connection
🚗 Why transitions and rituals help separate work from home
🤝 How to build connection in a remote world

Remote work isn’t the problem. The question is whether we’re designing our lives around the connection humans need.

Because sometimes being connected all day still leaves us feeling alone.

#RemoteWork #MentalHealth #WorkFromHome #Burnout #Loneliness #TherapyTechAndTakeout

What happens when accessing therapy requires handing over more than your insurance card?

This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni dive into the growing debate around Headway’s new biometric verification requirements - including government IDs and facial scans for some patients and providers.

On the surface, identity verification sounds simple: protect patients, prevent fraud, and make sure people are who they say they are. But what happens when that data is tied to mental health care? And what happens when saying “no” could mean losing access to your therapist?

Toni breaks down the ethical concerns from the therapist perspective, including informed consent, client abandonment, and the importance of protecting the therapeutic relationship. Jackie explores the bigger technology questions: Who owns our biometric data? How is it stored? And what happens when private companies collect deeply personal information?

Together, they discuss:

• Why facial recognition in healthcare raises new privacy questions• The difference between verification and surveillance• How venture-backed mental health platforms are changing therapy• The risks when business decisions impact clinical relationships• Why vulnerable patients may not feel like they truly have a choice• What therapists and clients should talk about before changes happen

Technology can make care more accessible - but when efficiency, data, and profit enter the conversation, we have to ask: what are we giving up in exchange?

Check out Toni’s book:Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brain⁠https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation about the future of therapy, privacy, and technology.

#MentalHealth #Therapy #AI #Privacy #DigitalHealth #MentalHealthTech #HealthcareTechnology #Therapists

Can AI Cure Loneliness… or Is It Making Us More Alone?

AI companions are being marketed as the answer to one of the biggest problems facing society: loneliness. But can a chatbot, robot, or AI friend actually replace human connection?

In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni explore the complicated relationship between artificial intelligence, loneliness, mental health, and our basic human need to belong.

Inspired by a Fortune article from loneliness researcher Clay Routledge and an episode of The Daily about AI companions for older adults, we look at both sides of the conversation. Technology can provide reminders, stimulation, conversation, and support… but what happens when we start treating AI as a replacement for relationships instead of a tool that helps us build them?

Toni breaks down why real relationships require reciprocity, vulnerability, and the experience of being impacted by another person - things AI can simulate but not truly provide.

We also discuss:

• Why loneliness is about more than having someone (or something) to talk to• The difference between sharing with a person and interacting with a chatbot• AI companions for seniors and vulnerable populations• The risks of replacing community with technology• Why pets feel different from AI relationships• Therapy chatbots, emotional connection, and mental health concerns• How profit incentives and engagement models shape technology• Whether AI could be redesigned to connect people instead of isolate them• Privacy concerns as AI enters more personal parts of our lives

Technology is moving quickly, but maybe the bigger question is not “Can AI make us feel less lonely?” Maybe it’s “Why are so many people lonely in the first place?”

Media discussed in this episode:

Fortune - Loneliness researcher: I’ve studied social connection for 25 years. AI companions will make our crisis worsehttps://fortune.com/2026/05/23/loneliness-researcher-ai-companions-social-disconnection-warning/

The Daily - Can AI Make People Feel Less Lonely?https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/podcasts/the-daily/ai-robot-elderly-loneliness.html

Check out Toni’s book:
Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brain
https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/

Subscribe to Therapy, Tech & Takeout for conversations about technology, mental health, ethics, and what it means to stay human in a rapidly changing world.

#ArtificialIntelligence #MentalHealth #Loneliness #AICompanions #TherapyTechAndTakeout

What happens when insurance companies, venture capital, and AI start reshaping therapy?

This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni sit down with licensed mental health counselor Sarah LaFontaine for a powerful conversation about the collision between technology, business incentives, and mental health care.

From insurance companies pressuring therapists into shorter sessions… to AI therapy bots making dangerous mistakes… to the growing role of venture capital in therapy platforms, this episode explores what gets lost when efficiency becomes more important than human connection.

Sarah shares the inspiration behind her work with:

• Mindful Matches
• MindfulHQ
• Rising Hope Counseling Services

Together, they unpack:

• The ethics of AI therapy tools
• Therapist burnout and sustainability
• Psychological safety in workplaces
• Confidentiality concerns in digital mental health platforms
• Why therapy is both an art and a science
• The growing tension between patient care and profit motives

The conversation also explores whether AI can truly replace human connection in therapy - and why “keeping humans in the loop” may matter more now than ever.

If you care about mental health, technology, ethics, or the future of care itself, this episode is for you.

Guest Information

Sarah LaFontaine

Rising Hope Counseling ServicesRising-Hope.coFacebook: @SarahLaFontaineLMHCInstagram: @rising_hope_therapy

MindfulHQMindfulHQ.comFacebook: @SarahLaFontaineMindfulHQInstagram: @sarahlafontaine_mindfulhq

Mindful MatchesMindfulMatches.comFacebook: @MindfulMatchesDirectoryInstagram: @mindful_matches

Articles & References

Brown University AI & Mental Health Ethics Article

Pre Order Toni’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/

About Therapy, Tech & Takeout

Therapy, Tech & Takeout explores the intersection of mental health, technology, ethics, relationships, and modern life. Hosted by entrepreneur Jackie Toale and therapist Toni Genovese Teixeira, the podcast tackles difficult conversations with honesty, humor, and curiosity.

Subscribe for weekly conversations about how technology is changing the way we live, work, connect, and care for ourselves.

#MentalHealth #AITherapy #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #TechEthics #ArtificialIntelligence #Burnout #Therapy #Psychology #FutureOfWork #MentalHealthAwareness #Healthcare #PsychologicalSafety

In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni unpack the disturbing revelations from the Proof News investigation into  Talkspace and the privacy risks surrounding online therapy platforms. Inspired by the article “Woman’s Talkspace Therapy App Sessions Exposed in Court,” they explore how deeply personal therapy conversations (including text messages, audio recordings, and video sessions) were allegedly stored and later surfaced during legal discovery.  

Toni brings her perspective as a licensed therapist to explain how confidentiality, HIPAA, subpoenas, and therapist ethics actually work behind the scenes - and why many clinicians themselves may not have realized the extent of data collection happening on these platforms. Jackie examines the tech side of the issue, including AI training data, “de-identified” information, venture capital incentives, and the growing concern that sensitive mental health conversations may be fueling future AI therapy products without meaningful user understanding or consent.  

The conversation also dives into:

• The hidden privacy risks of asynchronous therapy apps
• Whether therapy app data is truly anonymous
• How subpoenas can expose deeply personal mental health records
• Why therapists are increasingly concerned about large corporate therapy platforms
• The impact of tech consolidation on therapist burnout and quality of care
• Questions consumers should ask before starting online therapy
• The ethical tension between accessibility, profit, AI, and human care

This episode is equal parts fascinating, unsettling, and deeply important for anyone using digital mental health services or considering therapy online.

Source article:Proof News Investigation - Woman’s Talkspace Therapy App Sessions Exposed in Court

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share Therapy, Tech & Takeout with someone who would find the conversation valuable.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.

Online gambling and sports betting have become deeply embedded in modern culture - and teens are increasingly being exposed earlier than ever before.

This week, Jaclyn and Toni sit down with Dr. Juleen Buser, behavioral addiction specialist and licensed professional counselor, to explore the psychology behind gambling addiction, why online betting can become so compulsive, and how technology has dramatically changed access and risk for adolescents.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The rise of teen sports betting
• Dopamine and behavioral addiction
• Why gambling often hides in plain sight
• How apps and online games reinforce addictive patterns
• Warning signs parents should know
• Why gambling addiction carries one of the highest suicide risks among addictions
• What counseling and recovery look like

Links:

Dr. Juleen Buser - LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juleen-buser-115515293/

Psychology Today:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1657331

Facebook - Cardiff Health, LLC:
https://www.facebook.com/cardiffhealth

NPR Article:
https://www.npr.org/2026/04/05/nx-s1-5762276/teens-getting-hooked-on-gambling-sports-betting

Preorder Toni's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.

An AI agent was reportedly given explicit instructions not to make unauthorized changes… and then deleted a company’s production databases and backups anyway.

This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni explore the ethical, psychological, and societal implications of AI systems behaving in unexpected and potentially devastating ways.

Using the recent Claude AI database deletion story as a starting point, they discuss:

• whether AI safeguards are real or just perceived
• why humans overtrust technology
• how automation changes our relationship with responsibility
• the psychological comfort of outsourcing decision-making
• existential fears surrounding AI
• the role political leaders should play in regulating emerging technology
• and how intentional technology use may protect our autonomy and mental well-being

They also explore how cognitive bias impacts our perception of technological risk, why many tech leaders limit technology exposure for their own children, and whether AI is becoming the “junk food” of modern life.

Referenced articles & resources:

• The Guardian article discussed in this episode: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/29/claude-ai-deletes-firm-database
• Forestiere Underground Gardensin Fresno, California: https://undergroundgardens.com/

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #TechEthics #MentalHealth #Automation #DigitalWellness #Psychology #Technology #ClaudeAI

In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni are joined by licensed mental health therapist Sheena Beach for a serious and important conversation about teen sextortion, cyberbullying, self-harm, and digital shame.

Inspired by a New York Post article reporting on teen suicides connected to sextortion scams, the conversation explores how online coercion can quickly become a mental health crisis for adolescents. Sheena explains what self-harm can look like, why it is not always the same as suicidal intent, and how parents can respond with calm, connection, and choice instead of shame.

We also discuss the tech side of the problem: fake accounts, disappearing messages, AI, anonymous profiles, parental monitoring tools, and the difficult balance between protecting kids and maintaining trust.

This episode includes discussion of self-harm, suicide, sextortion, and child exploitation. Please take care while listening.

Show Notes / Resources

Article discussed:
Sextortion and teen suicide connection:
https://nypost.com/2025/12/10/us-news/38-us-teens-died-by-suicide-in-five-years-from-sextortion-scams/

Cyberbullying and sexting laws by state:
https://cyberbullying.org/sexting-laws

Healthcare-based guidance on self-harm:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/when-children-and-teens-self-harm.aspx

Self-harm and suicide information:
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/self-harm/self-harm-statistics/
https://afsp.org/

Cyberbullying and sextortion resources:
https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it
https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2023/PSA230912
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/sextortion/financially-motivated-sextortion

Books for children and teens:
My Body is Private by Linda Gerard
https://a.co/d/014SLl9s

Do You Have a Secret? by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos
https://a.co/d/0ex9FHg5

Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect by Jayneen Sanders
https://a.co/d/0eoHS1sc

The Internet Is Not Your Friend: Online Safety for Teens by Kyan Montague
https://a.co/d/09TNaHxx

Parental safety and monitoring tools mentioned:
Bark Technology: https://www.bark.us/
Qustodio: https://www.qustodio.com/en/
Aura Parent: https://www.aura.com/parents
Family Keeper: https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/parental-control?fk_redirect=1

Guest:
Sheena Beach, licensed mental health therapist and founder of Canopy Counseling. Licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, with telehealth availability in Florida. Connect with Sheena www.sheenabeach.com

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Can technology actually improve your relationship? Or is it just another tool that falls short when things get real?

In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni break down a fascinating meta-analysis on digital relationship interventions and what the research actually says about apps, coaching platforms, and tech-driven tools designed to improve connection.

👉 Study referenced: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12482273/

They explore:

• Whether relationship apps and online programs really increase satisfaction
• The difference between relationship satisfaction vs. relationship health
• Why digital tools may fail new parents (and what actually helps instead)
• The surprising role of coaching and accountability in digital programs
• How intimacy, vulnerability, and “healthy risk” impact long-term relationships
• Where tech helps… and where it absolutely doesn’t replace therapy

Plus, a wild conversation about haptic tech (yes… remote kissing devices 😳) and what it reveals about human connection.

If you’ve ever wondered whether relationship tools are worth it - or when it’s time to go deeper - this episode gives you a grounded, honest take.

This week, we’re diving into a heavy but important topic inspired by a Wired article on how people are using hacking tools, surveillance, and AI to exploit partners and friends.

We unpack how this actually happens in real life - and why it’s less about “hacking” and more about access, trust, and control.

From shared passwords and location tracking to deepfakes and digital coercion, this episode explores both the tech side and the psychological impact of these behaviors.

We also talk about:

• Warning signs to look for in relationships

• Why people normalize control early on

• How to protect yourself digitally

• What to do if you’re concerned about a friend

• Why trusting your gut matters more than you think

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses stalking, abuse, and sexual assault.

A Call to Men website: https://www.acalltomen.org/Jackson Katz, The Macho ParadoxRAINN is the national organization and where people can start to help them find local resources: https://centers.rainn.org/