The Path Establishes Scientific Advisory Board to Guide AI Mental Health Research

The board brings together six leading experts in digital mental health, behavioral science, psychiatry, and AI to shape The Path's clinical research program

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, August 31, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Path announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board, bringing together six nationally recognized researchers and clinicians with expertise in digital mental health, behavioral science, psychiatry, and artificial intelligence. Chaired by Dr. Jennifer Huberty, the board will advise the company's clinical research program, including study design, research methodology, and the interpretation of scientific findings.

The advisory board supports The Path's commitment to building AI for mental health on a foundation of rigorous research. Its members contribute expertise across clinical psychology, psychiatry, behavioral economics, digital health implementation, health equity, and AI ethics, helping guide how future studies are designed and evaluated.

"Our goal has always been to build a product grounded in science," said Dr. Anson Whitmer, CEO and co-founder. "Bringing together experts with diverse perspectives strengthens our research program and helps us ask better questions, design stronger studies, and communicate findings responsibly. Their guidance helps ensure our work continues to meet a high scientific standard."

The inaugural Scientific Advisory Board includes:
- Dr. Jennifer Huberty, Chair — Founder and CEO of Fit Minded, Inc., Chief Science Officer at The Path. A behavioral research scientist with more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and former Head of Science at Calm, Dr. Huberty leads The Path's clinical research program and chairs the advisory board.
- Dr. Stephen Schueller — Professor of Psychology and Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. A licensed clinical psychologist and mental health services researcher, his work focuses on the development, evaluation, and implementation of digital mental health interventions.
- Dr. Chad Stecher — Associate Professor and Director of Industry Engagement at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. His research applies behavioral economics, randomized trials, and population-level analytics to improve long-term health behavior change.
- Dr. Adrian Aguilera — Chancellor's Professor at the University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare, with a psychiatry appointment at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Digital Health Equity and Access Lab (dHEAL), where his research focuses on expanding access to evidence-based mental health care through technology.
- Dr. Risa Weisberg — Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University and Head of Clinical Research at Deliberate AI. Her work spans clinical validation, digital therapeutics, user safety, and regulatory science.
- Dr. Darja Djordjevic — Psychiatrist and medical anthropologist at Harlem Hospital and Columbia University, and a member of Brainstorm: The Stanford Lab for Mental Health Innovation. Her work focuses on psychiatry, global mental health, and the responsible application of artificial intelligence in care.

The Scientific Advisory Board actively supports The Path's clinical research program and will help guide research into questions such as:
1. How should AI mental health tools be evaluated scientifically?
2. What role do independent advisors play in AI mental health research?
3. How can AI therapy platforms build credible clinical evidence?

ABOUT THE PATH
The Path is an AI therapy and coaching app co-founded by neuroscientist Dr. Anson Whitmer, entrepreneur Tyler Sheaffer, and Tony Robbins. Built on Dr. Whitmer's research into rumination and executive control, and clinically overseen by behavioral health care providers, The Path combines evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), solution-focused brief therapy, and motivational interviewing to help people navigate stress, low mood, burnout, relationship challenges, and life transitions. The platform learns patterns across conversations, supports meaningful session-to-session progress, and routes users to human support when elevated risk is detected. The Path is designed to complement licensed mental health care, not replace it. Today, it has more than 50,000 members and has supported more than 2.5 million sessions.

Learn more about the board and the company's research initiatives at http://thepath.ai.

Dr. Anson Whitmer
The Path
press@thepath.ai
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