Are Video Games the Next Frontier in Improving Brain Function and Mental Health? Jennifer Gentile

In the latest episode of Digital Health Interviews, host Alex Koshykov explores the intersection of psychology, technology, and clinical innovation with Dr. Jennifer Gentile, co-founder of THYNK and clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. With nearly two decades of experience in traditional behavioral health and pioneering work in telehealth, she offers a uniquely grounded yet forward-looking perspective on how digital tools can transform mental health care—and why genuine engagement matters more than flashy features.

Pioneering Telehealth Before It Was Mainstream

Long before the pandemic normalized video visits and remote psychiatry, Dr. Gentile was part of a visionary effort to bring mental health online. At Amwell, she helped design and implement one of the first nationwide telebehavioral health networks, building clinical programs that reached tens of millions across the U.S.

It wasn’t easy at first. “People questioned whether therapy could even work online,” she recalls. “But what we found was that outcomes were comparable, sometimes better. And patient satisfaction was high.” Crucially, telehealth helped reduce the notorious no-show rates in behavioral health, improving continuity of care for patients who had previously slipped through the cracks.

What began as an experiment became an infrastructure. That early experience gave her not just confidence in the power of virtual care but also an appreciation for how clinical design, not just technology, drives results.

The Birth of THYNK: Evidence-Based, Non-Stigmatizing Cognitive Support

The seed for THYNK was planted in a neuroscience lab, where researchers were exploring how neuroplasticity could be harnessed through gameplay and EEG feedback. Dr. Gentile joined the startup when the game and the device were already built.

Today, THYNK combines a wearable EEG headset with an app-based training program that feels more like a game than a clinical intervention. It’s used by children with attention and learning challenges, but also by adults and seniors looking to boost cognitive function. And it’s backed by serious evidence: multiple studies have shown gains in executive function, math fluency, and sustained focus after using THYNK regularly.

“What drew me to it was the accessibility,” she says. “We’re not asking kids to sit through another appointment. We’re giving them something they actually enjoy doing—and it works.”

Why Engagement Matters More Than Hype

In an industry crowded with apps, alerts, and AI promises, Dr. Gentile emphasizes one metric above all: engagement. “You can have the smartest algorithm in the world, but if nobody uses it, it doesn’t matter,” she says.

She’s seen too many startups overengineer their solutions without considering how people actually live, work, and interact with technology. “We designed THYNK to fit into real routines—school schedules, aftercare programs, senior centers. You can’t just drop tech into someone’s life and expect behavior change. It has to be woven in.”

She also believes strongly in hybrid models—technology that works alongside people, not instead of them. “There’s still no substitute for human empathy,” she adds. “But tech can do the heavy lifting. It can create space for people to focus on connection.”

Building a Business Around Behavior Change

THYNK’s success is not just technical—it’s strategic. From the start, the company has pursued partnerships with schools, clinicians, and community centers. It has also secured early-stage investment from seasoned health tech leaders, including Steve Gullans, a longtime champion of evidence-backed digital therapeutics.

Dr. Gentile credits their traction to a focus on measurable outcomes and a business model that aligns with how real-world buyers make decisions. “You have to understand your stakeholders,” she says. “Schools need programs that fit budgets and show academic impact. Parents want something safe, effective, and non-judgmental. We try to meet them all where they are.”

Her advice to founders: don’t wait until after you build to figure out who’s paying. “If you don’t have a buyer in mind from the beginning, it’s going to be a tough road.”

Stay Focused: One Market at a Time

After THYNK won a startup competition centered on sports performance, the team faced a dilemma: should they expand into elite athletics? The platform clearly had crossover appeal, and interest was high. But Dr. Gentile made a deliberate choice to stay focused, for now.

“We’re building trust in education and healthcare,” she says. “That has to come first.” Once the foundation is strong, THYNK may expand into new verticals like aging, performance optimization, or even enterprise wellness. But she stresses the importance of sequencing: “If you try to be everything at once, you’ll lose your core.”

Final Advice: Lead with Empathy, Not Just Code

For aspiring founders in mental health tech, Dr. Gentile’s advice is clear: build with the user, not just for them. That means watching how people behave, asking what they actually need, and designing tools that support—not replace—human interaction.

She also encourages more collaboration between clinicians and technologists. “Too often, health tech is built by people who’ve never sat in a therapy session,” she says. “We need to bridge that gap.”

In a space where buzzwords dominate headlines, Dr. Gentile offers a refreshing dose of humility—and a reminder that true innovation isn’t just about new tech. It’s about creating systems that are sustainable, inclusive, and grounded in real human needs.

And for those looking to connect, she’s open to it: “I believe in lifting others up,” she says. “If I can help another founder build something meaningful, that’s worth my time.”