In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. David Williamson Shaffer, learning scientist, educator, and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming education, writing, critical thinking, and the future of learning.

Dr. David Williamson Shaffer shares his journey from classroom teacher to leading researcher in learning analytics and AI in education. He reflects on how the rise of computers, the internet, and now generative AI have fundamentally changed the way humans think, learn, and interact with information.

The conversation explores why traditional education systems may no longer fit a world shaped by AI, how educators can rethink assignments and classroom learning, and why the goal should not be preventing AI use but teaching students how to collaborate with it responsibly. He also discusses the importance of critical thinking, ethical AI use, AI literacy, and why learning with technology may matter more than learning without it.

The episode also dives into practical examples of AI in classrooms, the risks of overreliance on AI, responsible use in academic writing and research, and why educators, clinicians, and researchers must actively engage with AI instead of avoiding it.

Takeaways:

• AI Is Reshaping How Humans Learn, Think, and Solve Problems.
• Traditional Education Models Were Not Designed for an AI-Driven World.
• The Goal Should Be Learning How to Work With AI, Not Simply Avoiding It.
• Critical Thinking Matters More Than Ever in the Age of Generative AI.
• Students Need Opportunities to Use AI Responsibly and Reflectively.
• Educators Cannot Be Expected to Solve AI Challenges Alone Without Systemic Support.
• AI Literacy Is Becoming Essential for Teachers, Researchers, Clinicians, and Students.
• Technology Should Expand Human Capability Rather Than Replace Human Judgment.

Connect with Dr. David Williamson Shaffer

Website: https://edpsych.education.wisc.edu/fac-staff/williamson-shaffer-david/

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Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

02:33 - From Teacher to AI & Learning Science Researcher

06:00 - How AI Is Disrupting Education

10:03 - Why Predicting AI’s Future Is Nearly Impossible

11:19 - Understanding “Pedagogical Content Knowledge”

14:24 - Why Everyone Should Start Using AI

16:46 - Why Teachers Can’t Solve This Alone

22:08 - “Betty’s Brain” & Teaching Through AI Feedback

25:38 - Using AI to Learn Across Languages

28:30 - The MIT Study on Writing With AI

31:10 - “If AI Makes a Mistake, You Made the Mistake”

33:46 - “Effects Of” vs “Effects With” Technology

37:37 - The Importance of Personally Using AI

In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Page Anderson, clinical psychologist, researcher, and associate professor at Georgia State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping mental health care, psychology training, and the future of therapy.

Dr. Anderson shares her unexpected journey into digital mental health, from working in one of the earliest virtual reality exposure therapy companies to seeing firsthand how AI-powered assistive technology transformed her son’s independence and daily life. The conversation dives into the growing reality that people, especially younger generations, are already using AI tools for emotional support, mental health guidance, and therapy-like conversations, often before speaking to a clinician.

The discussion explores the opportunities and risks of AI in psychology, including accessibility to support, the “validation problem” with chatbots, ethical concerns around privacy and data use, and the growing need for AI literacy among clinicians, students, and educators. Dr. Anderson also explains why psychologists must remain actively involved in shaping ethical standards, training, and policy around AI instead of avoiding the technology altogether.

Throughout the episode, both guests emphasize that while AI may become a powerful assistive tool, human relationships, critical thinking, ethics, and clinical judgment remain essential to effective mental health care.

Takeaways:

• AI Is Already Being Used for Mental Health Support by Millions of People.
• Psychologists Need to Engage With AI Instead of Ignoring It.
• AI Can Improve Accessibility and Reduce Barriers to Mental Health Support.
• Therapy and Chatting With AI Are Not the Same Thing.
• AI Literacy and Prompt Engineering Are Becoming Essential Skills for Clinicians.
• Human Judgment, Ethics, and Critical Thinking Still Matter Most in Mental Health Care.

Connect with Dr. Page Anderson

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/page-anderson-ph-d-abpp-clinical-psychologist-associate-professor/

Georgia State University:

https://psychology.gsu.edu/

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https://www.facebook.com/waydeaillc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/

info@waydeai.com

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Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

02:40 - “I’m Not a Tech Person” (Origin Story)

04:40 - Personal Story: AI Changing Her Son’s Life

07:08 - Barriers to Traditional Therapy

09:25 - Do Psychologists Still Have a Role?

11:22 - Why Training Comes First

13:30 - The AI Training Gap in Education

17:50 - AI vs Real Therapy (Key Differences)

19:30 - Personalized Therapy Materials with AI

23:00 - Why Critical Thinking Matters Most

24:53 - Where Psychologists Should Start

29:01 - Final Advice for Clinicians

31:20 - Final Thoughts: Humans Train AI

In this episode of Beyond the Couch, Dr. Ernest Wayde sits down with Dr. Amber Childs, child and adolescent psychiatrist, Yale School of Medicine associate professor, and founder of Dr. Amber Childs Advisory. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the lives of teens, parents, clinicians, and the future of mental health care.

Dr. Childs shares how her unexpected journey into AI began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she rapidly helped scale telehealth services for adolescent psychiatry at Yale. She discusses how teens are already integrating AI into their daily lives for learning, emotional support, curiosity, and mental health conversations, often turning to chatbots when trusted human support feels unavailable.

The discussion also highlights the fears many parents experience around AI, the importance of curiosity-driven conversations instead of fear-based reactions, and why bans alone may fail to protect young people. Dr. Childs emphasizes that clinicians, caregivers, and psychologists must stay engaged with technology, develop AI literacy, and help shape safer, evidence-based solutions that support human connection rather than replace it.

Takeaways:

• AI Is Already Deeply Integrated Into Teen Life and Mental Health Conversations.
• Teens Often Use AI for Exploration, Emotional Support, and Nonjudgmental Guidance.
• Parents Should Approach AI Conversations With Curiosity Instead of Fear or Control.
• Banning AI Without Education or Safeguards May Create More Problems Than Solutions.
• Psychologists and Clinicians Must Help Shape the Future of Ethical AI in Mental Health Care.
• Human Connection, Communication, and Trust Still Matter More Than Technology.
• AI Literacy Is Becoming Essential for Parents, Therapists, and Educators.

Connect with Dr. Amber Childs:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberwchilds/

Website: https://www.dramberchilds.com/

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https://www.facebook.com/waydeai

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayde-ai/

info@waydeai.com

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https://the-waydeai-brief.beehiiv.com/

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

02:37 - How AI Entered Her Work “By Accident” During the Pandemic

06:55 - Teen Skepticism, AI Anxiety & Concerns About Relationships

08:51 - What Parents Are Most Worried About With AI

11:30 - Why Teens Turn to AI for Support & Validation

13:38 - Why Attacking AI or “The Friend” Backfires With Teens

16:00 - Dangerous AI Scenarios Parents Should Watch For

19:52 - Trusted Resources for Parents Navigating AI & Mental Health

22:53 - How Parents Can Start the AI Conversation With Their Teens

25:08 - Why AI Bans May Do More Harm Than Good

29:43 - Where to Follow Dr. Amber Childs Online

30:28 - Final Advice: “Curiosity Is Free”