About the Episode:

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Sam Gardner, CEO and co-founder of Happypillar, and Chloe Pico Jacobs, Clinical Director of the app, to discuss an innovative approach to parenting that blends technology and evidence-based strategies. Happypillar is designed to help parents tackle common behavioral challenges in children aged 2 to 7, using techniques from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), enhanced by AI for accessibility and scalability.

Dr. Whitney and her guests dive into the journey of developing this app, which uses AI to give real-time feedback to parents during playtime sessions, helping them improve their interactions with their children. Sam shares her personal struggles as a parent, how PCIT transformed her relationship with her child, and why she was inspired to create Happypillar to help other parents going through similar challenges. Chloe, a licensed clinical social worker, explains the evidence behind PCIT, how the app works, and addresses concerns around privacy and data security.

About Our Guests:

Sam Gardner: CEO and co-founder of Happypillar, who developed the app based on her own experience as a parent using PCIT.

Chloe Pico Jacobs: Licensed clinical social worker and Clinical Director at Happypillar, specializing in child mental health and parent-child relationships.

Episode Takeaways:

• Understanding PCIT: Chloe outlines the basics of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, a proven therapeutic modality for children ages 2 to 7 that focuses on strengthening the parent-child bond through non-directive play.

• How Happypillar Works: The app uses AI to give parents feedback based on their interactions with their child, helping them adopt PCIT techniques. It’s designed to be easy, with just 5 minutes of daily commitment.

• AI and Accessibility: Sam explains how AI helps make therapeutic strategies more accessible to families who may not have the time or resources to access traditional therapy, especially in rural or underserved communities.

• Real-Life Impact: Both Sam and Dr. Casares share personal stories of how evidence-based therapy transformed their parenting experience and helped them address behavioral issues in their children.

• Privacy and Data Security: The team explains how Happypillar prioritizes user privacy by encrypting all data and only recording interactions during scheduled "Happy Time" sessions initiated by the parent.

Discussion Points:

• The mental health crisis in children and how traditional therapeutic approaches may not be accessible to all families.

• The role of technology in modern parenting—using AI to support, not replace, the parent-child relationship.

• How the app provides busy parents with practical tools to reduce tantrums and challenging behaviors, while also lowering stress.
  
  

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