#71 What Happens When Teens Use AI for Emotional Support with Therapy Lab's Dr. Chandler Chang

In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer welcomes back to the podcast Dr. Chandler Chang—clinical psychologist, child and adolescent specialist, and founder of Therapy Lab—to explore how young people are navigating mental health, technology, and growing up in an always-on world. With a practice built around time-limited, evidence-based therapy plans (sometimes called “bite-sized therapy”), Chandler shares why shorter, structured interventions can open doors for people who might otherwise avoid or disengage from traditional therapy.

The episode offers a grounded, human perspective on how therapy, technology, and education overlap—and how mindful design can keep young people at the center.

Key Topics Discussed

• Why “bite-sized therapy” works for many people and how brief interventions are backed by research
• What the rise of “cringe” reveals about self-reflection, social anxiety, and cognitive biases
• How discomfort and exposure can build adolescent resilience
• The emotional load teachers carry and the role of boundaries in creating safety
• Inside Therapy Lab’s new AI companion: scribing sessions, personalized reminders, and closed-loop privacy
• Hallucinations, safety escalations, and keeping AI therapeutically grounded
• Anthropomorphizing AI: risks, developmental considerations, and responsible use with teens
• How teens experience online vs. offline communication—and why emotional check-ins matter
• Short-form media, dopamine, and helping young people recognize their own internal states

Guest Bio

Dr. Chandler Chang is a clinical psychologist specializing in child and adolescent mental health and the founder of Therapy Lab, a practice built around time-limited, evidence-based therapeutic plans. She leads a team integrating clinically-trained AI companions into therapy to expand access, enhance continuity of care, and support teens between sessions. Chandler holds advanced training in brief interventions and is committed to helping families navigate the intersection of mental health and modern technology.

Host Bio

Seth Fleischauer is the founder and president of Banyan Global Learning, an international education organization delivering experiential and distance learning programs that build global competency. A former classroom teacher, Seth explores how mindful innovation—across psychology, technology, and global learning—can strengthen education systems and support the wellbeing of young people.

Episode Links

Therapy Lab — therapylab.com
Email Chandler — [e-mail]
Contact Therapy Lab — [e-mail]