An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Krysti Lan Chi Vo, MD

In the rapidly evolving world of digital health, wearable technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are redefining how we approach mental health and behavioral sciences. At the forefront of this transformation is Dr. Krysti Lan Chi Vo, MD, a double-board-certified psychiatrist specializing in telemedicine, digital health, and habit formation.

With experience spanning major health organizations, startups, and groundbreaking research initiatives, Dr. Vo has played a pivotal role in integrating AI-driven solutions into behavioral health services. We sat down with her to discuss how wearables are reshaping psychiatric care, the potential risks and ethical dilemmas, and what the future holds for AI in mental health.

Key Takeaways

Dr. Krysti Lan Chi Vo discusses how AI and wearables are transforming mental health care, emphasizing the potential for smarter, more accessible psychiatric services.

  • AI is moving beyond administrative tasks to assist in diagnosis and treatment, including crisis prediction and mental health triage.
  • Wearables can predict mental health crises and provide personalized alerts, but face legal and regulatory challenges.
  • Telehealth offers more privacy and context for mental health care, especially for neurodiverse individuals and those in underserved communities.

From Telehealth Pioneer to AI Innovator

Dr. Vo’s journey into telemedicine and mental health innovation began at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she spearheaded the development of five different telehealth services in under two years—a feat she describes as “largely unheard of” in an academic hospital system.

Her work also led to close to a quarter-million-dollar grant from Twilio, allowing her to develop a suicide risk prevention software for pediatric primary care. “We built a telehealth software that screens patients for suicide risk and connects them to the appropriate level of care—low, moderate, or high risk,” she explains. “High-risk patients would receive an immediate interview with a psychiatrist or behavioral health expert in real time.” Dr. Vo’s project with Twilio set the stage for Dr. Vo’s transition into digital health consulting, where she now helps companies build and scale psychiatric services.

AI: More Than Just a Scribe

While AI is already revolutionizing healthcare, its primary role in psychiatry has been limited to administrative tasks, such as note-taking and reducing paperwork for clinicians. “Right now, AI is mainly used as a scribe—helping doctors transcribe and summarize clinical visits,” Dr. Vo explains. “This is great for reducing burnout and freeing up more time for patient care, but it’s just the beginning.”

In the next five years, Dr. Vo envisions AI playing a greater role in diagnosis and treatment:

1. AI-powered crisis prediction – “By analyzing speech patterns and behavior over time, AI could detect when a patient is heading toward a manic episode or depressive crash.”

2. Automated mental health triage – “AI could help direct patients to the appropriate level of care—whether that’s therapy, medication, or emergency intervention.”

3. Wearable-integrated AI – “A device could track your sleep, movement, and speech, then use AI to flag concerns in real time.”

However, she warns against rushing AI deployment without clinical oversight. “Tech companies tend to develop AI solutions without consulting psychiatrists, leading to unintended consequences. We’ve seen this before with companies overprescribing ADHD medication based on simple online questionnaires.”

Wearables in Psychiatry: A Missed Opportunity?

With the rise of wearables like Oura, Whoop, Fitbit, and Apple Health, mental health monitoring is gaining traction. But are these devices truly making a difference?

“I’m surprised that companies haven’t fully leveraged wearables for mental health interventions yet,” Dr. Vo says. “Right now, they track stress levels and sleep, but they’re not providing practical solutions. They tell you that your sleep was bad, but they don’t guide you on what to do next.”

According to Dr. Vo, the next frontier for wearables should focus on:

1. Predicting Mental Health Crises – “A significant drop in sleep quality could indicate early signs of depression or mania.”

2. Personalized Mental Health Alerts – “Wearables could alert patients and their doctors before a crisis escalates.”

3. Real-time Interventions – “Imagine getting an alert that says, ‘Your sleep has been poor for three days. Consider meditating tonight or taking a break from screens.’”

However, turning this vision into reality comes with legal and regulatory challenges. “Most of these companies operate in the wellness space, not medical care. To make meaningful interventions, they would need FDA approval and legal reclassification as clinical rather than fitness tools.”

Autism & ADHD: The Role of Technology

Having worked extensively with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD, Dr. Vo believes that digital tools could enhance care for neurodiverse individuals.

Telehealth is expanding access to autism care

Dr. Krysti Lan Chi Vo

“Telehealth is expanding access to autism care,” she says. “And we’re also seeing innovations like smart glasses designed to help autistic individuals with social engagement. AI could further refine early detection and intervention for autism and ADHD.”

When asked about whether AI can currently diagnose ADHD, Dr. Vo is skeptical. “Some companies are working on it, but right now, AI-based ADHD detection isn’t mainstream. It needs robust studies before it can be widely adopted.”

AI & Data Privacy: A Double-Edged Sword?

As AI becomes more integrated into healthcare, concerns over data privacy continue to grow.

“AI companies need to follow HIPAA regulations and any new privacy laws that emerge,” Dr. Vo warns. “And privacy isn’t just about the law—it’s about how we use the data.”

One ethical concern is the risk of over-reliance on AI for diagnosing conditions. “I prefer AI models that analyze video or self-reported data rather than just scraping electronic health records (EHRs),” Dr. Vo explains. “EHRs are often poorly documented and can contain biases. If an AI model is trained on flawed data, it will make flawed predictions.”

Instead, she envisions a future where AI analyzes real-time patient input to create more accurate mental health predictions.

Telehealth May Actually Be More Private

While some people worry that virtual visits compromise privacy, Dr. Vo argues the opposite.

“If you go to an in-person clinic, people can see you walking into the psychiatrist’s office,” she explains. “If someone wants to track your location, they can figure out where you are. But if you’re talking to your doctor from home, no one has to know you’re in therapy. That’s actually more private.”

That’s not to say there aren’t concerns with telehealth security. Clinicians must ensure that no one else can hear the conversation, use headphones, and secure their workspace. But overall, virtual mental health care may reduce stigma and make patients feel safer.

In-Person vs. Telehealth: Which is Better?

A common debate in mental health care is whether in-person visits are superior to telehealth sessions. Critics argue that remote visits could miss critical non-verbal cues, but Dr. Vo challenges that assumption—stating that telehealth can actually provide more context than an office visit.

“People say, ‘Oh, you miss things when you see patients over video,’ but I think they’re losing out on what telehealth actually offers,” Dr. Vo explains. “When I see a patient virtually, I can observe their home environment. Is their space chaotic? Are there too many people in the household? Do they have a private place to talk? These are insights I wouldn’t get in an office.”

In a traditional clinic visit, I wouldn’t have been able to see how she actually behaves at home

Dr. Krysti Lan Chi Vo

She shares a powerful example of how telehealth helped her correct a misdiagnosis:

“One of my teenage patients had been misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, which is unfortunately common in minority communities. Her family told me she had manic episodes, but I wasn’t convinced. I asked her father to schedule a telehealth session whenever they believed she was having an episode, so I could observe her in real time. When I saw her during one of these so-called ‘manic episodes,’ I realized she wasn’t manic at all—she had ADHD. In a traditional clinic visit, I wouldn’t have been able to see how she actually behaves at home. Telehealth allowed me to see the reality of her condition and prevent unnecessary treatment for bipolar disorder.”

Dr. Vo also emphasizes that telehealth benefits children with autism and ADHD, as they are observed in their natural environment, rather than the structured setting of a doctor’s office, which can mask their true behavior.

“Some doctors assume in-person visits are the gold standard,” she says. “But if we use telehealth correctly, it can actually be more informative and accurate.”

Medicaid and Medicare Cuts: A Barrier to Telepsychiatry?

The ongoing debate over Medicaid and Medicare funding cuts could significantly impact mental health accessibility, particularly for underserved communities. A major concern is reimbursement parity, as private insurers may not cover telehealth at the same rate as in-person services. Additionally, restrictive policies requiring in-person visits create unnecessary barriers, limiting access to care for those who rely on virtual health services.

“Telehealth is already making psychiatric care more accessible, but restrictive policies are reversing progress,” Dr. Vo warns. “Some states now require patients to visit a clinic in person for certain telehealth services, which defeats the purpose of remote care.”

She urges people to stay informed and politically active, emphasizing the importance of direct advocacy. Calling representatives can make a real impact, and apps like Five Calls provide an easy way to contact Congress and voice support for Medicaid expansion. She also stresses the need to push for policy reform, arguing that telehealth should be fully reimbursed as much as an in-person visit without unnecessary logistical barriers that restrict access to care.

Right now, private practice patients—who are usually higher earners—get more flexibility in telehealth access, while Medicaid patients may face restrictions. That’s widening the healthcare gap.

Dr. Krysti Lan Chi Vo

What’s Next? AI-Driven Behavioral Health

So, what excites Dr. Vo most about the future of digital health?

“I’m working on a wearable-integrated AI project focused on mental health interventions,” she reveals. “I can’t share details yet, but I believe we’re on the verge of making AI-powered, wearable-driven mental health support a reality.”

Her YouHabits program, an 8-step behavior change system, is also launching soon. Unlike rigid approaches, her method adapts to individual lifestyles. “A night owl shouldn’t force a 6 a.m. gym habit,” she laughs. “I started using these steps in my own life—training for the NYC marathon, studying for my board exams—and now I teach them to my patients,” she shares. “If AI and wearables can integrate personalized habit coaching, that could be a game-changer for mental health.”

Final Thoughts: A Call for Collaboration

Dr. Vo is optimistic but cautious about the future of AI and wearable technology in psychiatry.

“I believe AI can democratize mental health, but only if done ethically and with clinical oversight,” she emphasizes. “Tech companies need to work hand-in-hand with psychiatrists to ensure AI-driven tools are accurate, ethical, and truly helpful—not just another gimmick.”

As AI and wearables continue to evolve, one thing is clear: The future of mental health is digital, and Dr. Krysti Vo is helping shape it.