Last updated: May 2026
Medical Disclaimer
We want to be clear about what TicCoach is — and what it isn't. Please read this before making any decisions about your child's health care.
If you are in crisis right now
Call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) — available 24/7. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
TicCoach is not a medical device
TicCoach is an educational and self-management support tool. It is not a medical device, does not diagnose any condition, and does not provide medical treatment. It has not been reviewed or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any equivalent regulatory body.
TicCoach is not a replacement for therapy
CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics) is an evidence-based treatment delivered by licensed therapists, typically over 8–10 structured sessions. TicCoach is inspired by CBIT principles and provides educational content about competing responses and habit awareness — but it is not the same as CBIT therapy and is not a substitute for it.
If you are seeking treatment for Tourette syndrome or a tic disorder, we encourage you to work with a licensed behavioral health provider. The Tourette Association of America maintains a directory of specialists and TAA Centers of Excellence.
What TicCoach's content is based on
The competing response library, urge-surfing scripts, and breathing exercises in TicCoach are developed with reference to published CBIT literature and reviewed by CBIT-trained clinicians before publication. Each competing response is evaluated for:
- — Incompatibility with the tic (the competing response physically competes with it)
- — Inconspicuousness (can be done without drawing attention in a classroom)
- — Sustainability (a child can maintain it for 60 seconds)
- — Portability (works seated, standing, in school, at home)
This clinical review process allows us to say that TicCoach's content is grounded in CBIT principles — but it does not make TicCoach a clinical treatment. Individual responses to tic management strategies vary, and what works for one child may not work for another.
Coach Tay is not a therapist
Coach Tay is an AI-powered conversational guide. It is designed to answer questions about tics in a friendly, kid-appropriate way and to provide encouragement. It is not a therapist, psychologist, or medical professional. It does not have access to your child's medical history and cannot provide personalized clinical advice.
Coach Tay is built with crisis detection — if it detects language suggesting a child may be in danger, it will direct them to the 988 Lifeline rather than continue the conversation.
When to seek professional help
Please consult a licensed healthcare provider if:
- — Your child's tics are causing significant distress or impairment at school or home
- — You are uncertain whether your child has Tourette syndrome or another tic disorder
- — Your child has co-occurring conditions (OCD, ADHD, anxiety) that need professional support
- — Your child has expressed thoughts of self-harm or is experiencing significant distress
- — A behavioral app is not providing sufficient support
Find a specialist
Tourette Association of America
Directory of specialists and Centers of Excellence nationwide.
tourette.org →Contact
Questions about TicCoach's clinical content or approach?
TicCoach · Houston, TX