Dartmouth Researchers Develop AI Therapist, Therabot, to Address Mental Health Needs
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Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed an AI application, Therabot, that provides reliable psychotherapy and addresses the shortage of mental health professionals. A clinical study has shown Therabot’s effectiveness in helping people with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, with a new trial planned to compare Therabot’s results with conventional therapies. The Dartmouth team has also considered creating a nonprofit entity linked to Therabot to make digital therapy accessible to those who cannot afford conventional in-person help.
Dartmouth Researchers Develop AI-Powered Therabot to Address Mental Health Challenges
The Dartmouth College team has developed an AI-powered psychotherapy application named Therabot, aiming to address the severe shortage of mental health professionals. Assistant professor of data science and psychiatry at Dartmouth, Nick Jacobson, emphasizes the need for an innovative solution such as this due to the overwhelming demand for therapists.
Therabot has already shown promising results in a published clinical study, aiding people suffering from anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. A future trial is in the pipeline to compare the effectiveness of Therabot with traditional therapies. The American Psychological Association (APA) seems receptive to this innovation, though concerns about potential harm for younger users were mentioned.
Therabot: A Cautionary Approach to AI-Powered Therapy
Jacobson’s team has dedicated nearly six years to developing Therabot, putting safety and effectiveness at the forefront. They are also considering establishing a nonprofit entity linked to Therabot to make digital therapy accessible for those who cannot afford traditional in-person counseling. This cautious approach sets Therabot apart from the many untested apps in the market that claim to address mental health issues, often with a primary aim of revenue generation.
Experts emphasize the potential of AI for addressing mental health challenges but call for more information to fully understand benefits and risks. To minimize unforeseen outcomes, the Therabot team went beyond mining therapy transcripts and training videos for their AI app, creating simulated patient-caregiver conversations.
Regulation Lacks in AI Mental Health Treatment
Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is theoretically responsible for regulating online mental health treatment, it does not certify medical devices or AI apps. Instead, the FDA may authorize their marketing after reviewing appropriate pre-market submissions. The FDA acknowledges the potential of digital mental health therapies to improve patient access to behavioral therapies.
Digital Therapists: Around-the-Clock Support
AI therapies offer 24/7 mental health support, a significant advantage over traditional therapists. For instance, Herbert Bay, CEO of Earkick, vouches for the safety of his startup’s AI therapist, Panda. Panda can detect signs of emotional crises or suicidal ideation and send help alerts. One user found OpenAI assistant ChatGPT helpful in managing traumatic stress disorder, even though it is not designed specifically for mental health.
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