Mohamad Matout: Transforming Mental Health Care with AVAtalk Technologies

What inspired you to create AVAtalk Technologies?

The idea for AVAtalk Technologies was born during my psychiatry training at McGill University. I was working with a patient suffering from persistent auditory hallucinations (voices). Despite multiple medications and psychotherapy sessions, the patient’s condition didn’t improve, leaving them trapped in distress.

That’s when I first encountered Avatar Therapy, a novel approach, originating from the UK, showing promising results. However, it was only available in research settings. Inspired by its potential, my mentor, Dr. Gail Myhr, and I envisioned creating a digital platform to make Avatar Therapy accessible to clinicians and patients worldwide. This experience became the foundation of AVAtalk Technologies.

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What makes AVAtalk’s platform unique in the mental health space?

AVAtalk stands out because it integrates advanced technology with clinical precision. Our Avatar Studio allows patients to create realistic avatars that replicate the appearance and voice of their hallucinations. This creates a deeper therapeutic connection during sessions.

Additionally, we offer a web-based portal for therapists to monitor treatment plans, enhancing outcomes. 

By making therapy accessible, personalized, and scalable, we aim to redefine the standard of care for individuals with auditory hallucinations and beyond. 

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How did you meet your co-founders, and how do your skills complement each other?

I met Dr. Gail Myhr during my psychiatry training, where she supervised my work on complex cases. We bonded over a shared commitment to improving mental health care and began exploring how technology could transform therapeutic approaches.

Our CTO, Anas Merbouh, is a close friend with extensive experience in software development. When I shared our vision for a digital Avatar Therapy platform, he was immediately on board. Together, our team combines clinical expertise, innovative thinking, and technical skills, creating a dynamic partnership that drives AVAtalk forward.

What challenges have you faced as a founder, and what lessons have you learned?

One of the biggest challenges was balancing ambition with focus. Early on, I had many ideas for features, but I quickly realized that trying to do everything at once could dilute our efforts. Narrowing our scope to develop an MVP centered on our value proposition allows us to build a solid foundation for future growth.

Finally, I’ve come to appreciate the power of collaboration. This project has shown me the power of commercialization in driving healthcare innovation. I’ve gained insight into a world where innovators and entrepreneurs collaborate, driven by the belief that their inventions can make a difference. Input from business experts, researchers, clinicians, and patients increases the chances of successful commercialization, ensuring innovations reach those who need them.

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How do you stay motivated and inspired under high stress?

I stay motivated by reminding myself of our mission: improving lives through innovative mental health care. When stress feels overwhelming, I reflect on the individuals we aim to help.

I also break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps and celebrate small wins along the way. Regular exercise, mindfulness, and support from co-founders and mentors are essential for maintaining balance and perspective.

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What advice would you give to other founders building in the health-tech space?

Building in health tech is both rewarding and complex. Start with deep empathy by listening to patients, caregivers, and clinicians to solve real problems. Prioritize early clinical validation to build trust and credibility. Navigate regulations proactively by engaging experts early, treating compliance as an opportunity to refine your solution.

Balance scalability with personalization so that technology enhances rather than replaces human care. Assemble a multidisciplinary team that blends clinical, technical, and business expertise. Be patient and persistent since health tech takes time due to validation and regulatory hurdles.

Leverage accelerators and networks for mentorship and growth. Address stigma and education gaps through storytelling that highlights real impact. Above all, stay mission-driven. Fundraising and scaling matter, but your purpose should guide every decision. Focus on empathy, evidence, ethics, and endurance to build a company that earns trust and drives lasting change.

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What’s your long-term vision for AVAtalk Technologies?

Our vision is to make Avatar Therapy accessible to anyone in need, regardless of location. We are focused on expanding our platform’s capabilities by integrating advanced AI features and extending our reach to underserved regions. Additionally, we plan to broaden its application beyond schizophrenia to enable treatment for conditions such as depression, substance use disorder, PTSD, and more.

Looking ahead, we are working toward AI-powered avatars that offer interim support to patients awaiting therapy, helping to address the shortage of mental health professionals. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce mental health stigma, enhance patient outcomes, and equip therapists with impactful, lasting tools.

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What role do you see AI playing in the future of mental health care?

AI will make mental health care more accessible, proactive, and personalized. AI chatbots and virtual therapists provide immediate support and escalate cases when necessary.

Predictive analytics can detect early warning signs by analyzing speech, expressions, and physiological data, enabling earlier intervention. Personalized digital therapeutics will adapt treatments in real time, using wearables and user inputs.

AI-powered crisis intervention tools can assess risk levels faster, helping prevent self-harm. In drug development, AI accelerates discovery by optimizing clinical trials. Even workplaces are integrating AI to monitor stress and provide early intervention. As AI advances, ethical implementation will be key — ensuring privacy, security, and unbiased care while making mental health support more accessible worldwide.

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Have you participated in any startup accelerators? If so, how has that helped your journey?

Yes, we participated in NeuroSphere, McGill University’s neuroscience innovation accelerator. It was transformative, providing us with mentorship, funding, and connections that helped shape our platform and refine our go-to-market strategy.

The program allowed us to validate our ideas with feedback from clinicians and researchers, which was invaluable. It gave us the confidence and resources to move forward and prepare for commercialization.

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Do you plan to raise funds for AVAtalk, and what are your goals for that round?

We have secured $140,000 CAD in grants and an additional $70,700 CAD from Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives, funding product development, IP protection, and early validation.

Now raising capital to scale further, we aim to finalize our Avatar Therapy platform and secure regulatory approvals. We also plan to enhance AI-driven emotional intelligence and conduct feasibility studies at various academic centers.

This round will accelerate commercialization and team expansion. We seek mission-aligned investors to help AVAtalk become a leader in AI-driven mental healthcare, addressing PTSD, depression, and anxiety on a global scale.