Grace Berman brings clinical training, research experience, and real-world practice to questions at the intersection of technology, mental health, and human development. Her perspectives combine evidence-based frameworks with a nuanced understanding of how digital systems shape our inner lives.
As generative AI becomes embedded in daily life, I examine its psychological implications through a clinical lens. The questions are urgent: What happens when adolescents turn to AI companions for emotional support? How do algorithmic recommendations shape identity formation? What are the therapeutic ethics of AI-assisted mental health care?
AI isn't inherently harmful or helpful. It's a mirror that reflects our existing systems and biases while introducing new dynamics of power, attachment, and dependency. Clinicians and educators need frameworks that account for both the benefits (accessibility, reduced stigma) and risks (data exploitation, algorithmic harm, pseudo-intimacy). I advocate for ethical AI development that centers user agency, transparency, and genuine wellbeing over engagement metrics.
Key Topics: AI companions and attachment, generative AI in therapy, algorithmic influence on self-concept, chatbot ethics, AI literacy for mental health professionals, bias in mental health algorithms.
The conversation around screen time often misses the point. It's not about quantity; it's about quality, context, and what technology displaces. I work with parents, educators, and organizations to move beyond simplistic time limits toward a more sophisticated understanding of how digital engagement affects attention, emotion regulation, and relational capacity.
Shaming kids (or adults) about technology use doesn't work. Neither does ignoring the very real neurobiological impact of infinite scroll, notification-driven behavior, and algorithmically optimized content. The solution lies in teaching media literacy, supporting intrinsic motivation, and creating environments where face-to-face connection is valued and protected. Digital wellbeing is a systems problem, not an individual willpower problem.
Key Topics: Dopamine economy and behavioral design, attention fragmentation, phone-free schools, parental monitoring vs. autonomy, digital detox myths, sustainable technology habits.
Social media has fundamentally altered adolescence. Teens are navigating identity formation, peer relationships, and self-esteem in an environment designed to maximize engagement, not psychological safety. My work focuses on understanding these developmental challenges and equipping adults to provide meaningful support.
The research is clear: social media use correlates with increased anxiety, depression, and body image concerns in adolescents—particularly girls. But correlation isn't causation, and not all teens are affected equally. Protective factors include strong offline relationships, critical media literacy, and supportive adult guidance. We need nuanced interventions that acknowledge both the real harms and the ways teens use these platforms for community, creativity, and activism.
Key Topics: Comparison culture, FOMO and anxiety, cyberbullying and relational aggression, influencer culture, curated authenticity, digital identity vs. authentic self.
Schools are caught between competing pressures: integrate technology to prepare students for the future, or protect childhood from digital overload. I consult with districts, administrators, and educators on evidence-based approaches that balance innovation with developmental appropriateness.
Technology can enhance learning when used thoughtfully—but it's not a pedagogical silver bullet. Too often, districts adopt tools without considering their impact on attention, creativity, or social-emotional learning. Phone-free policies, intentional tech integration, and robust digital citizenship curricula are essential. So is training educators to recognize and respond to technology-related mental health concerns.
Key Topics: Phone-free schools, one-to-one device programs, educational technology evaluation, AI in the classroom, student privacy and surveillance, teacher training on digital issues.
Therapists trained before smartphones became ubiquitous face unique challenges. Clients bring new presenting problems: social media addiction, Zoom fatigue, digital boundary violations, technology-mediated trauma. I provide training and consultation to help clinicians update their practice for the realities of modern life.
We need to update our clinical frameworks. Attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and cognitive-behavioral approaches remain valuable—but they must account for how technology mediates relationships, triggers trauma responses, and shapes cognitive patterns. Clinicians also need guidance on telehealth boundaries, digital confidentiality, and their own technology use in and out of session.
Key Topics: Technology-mediated trauma, treating social media addiction, online harassment and therapy, telehealth best practices, clinician digital boundaries, addressing tech use in session.
Remote work, always-on communication, and blurred work-life boundaries have created a workplace mental health crisis. I advise companies on building cultures that prioritize sustainable digital practices and genuine wellbeing over performative productivity.
Offering meditation apps or mental health days won't fix a culture that expects instant Slack responses and weekend emails. Organizations need structural changes: communication norms, meeting-free blocks, right-to-disconnect policies, and leadership modeling. Digital wellness must be embedded in company values, not treated as an employee's individual responsibility.
Key Topics: Remote work burnout, asynchronous communication strategies, notification culture, digital presenteeism, psychological safety in hybrid teams, manager training on digital boundaries.