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New Research Critically Evaluates the Existence of ChatGPT Within Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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With the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s society, the field of psychology has begun to evaluate its implications for clinical services. Specifically, new research aimed to evaluate the delivery of text-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) via an AI therapist versus a human therapist. ChatGPT, one of the most commonly used AI chatbots, significantly underperformed when compared to the real therapists.

The study utilized 75 mental health professionals and trainees to provide qualitative feedback of the CBT transcripts provided by both forms of therapists, human and AI. Participants were encouraged to analyze various elements of the quality of CBT, such as adherence to agenda-setting. Twenty-nine percent of participants found the human therapists to be highly effective, whereas less than 10% rated ChatGPT as effective. An additional finding outlined how participants viewed the AI therapist as more rigid and impersonal.

This new research has significant implications for current clinicians, trainees, and patients as the digital world continues to evolve. Esha Aneja, a member of the research team conducting this work, stated, “These findings underscore that although ChatGPT-3.5 shows potential, it currently lacks the nuanced empathy and therapeutic alliance that characterize effective human therapy.”

Written by: Lindsey Norton, BA.
Editor: Nicholas Crimarco, Ph.D.

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What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of treatment that is based firmly on research findings.  It places emphasis on changing your cognitions (thoughts) or behaviors (actions) in order to effect change in how you feel. These approaches help people in achieving specific changes or goals.

Changes or goals might involve:

A way of acting: like smoking less or being more outgoing;
A way of feeling: like helping a person to be less scared, less depressed, or less anxious;
A way of thinking: like learning to problem-solve or get rid of self-defeating thoughts;
A way of dealing with physical or medical problems: like reducing back pain or helping a person stick to a doctor’s suggestions.

Cognitive behavioral therapists usually focus more on the current situation and its solution, rather than the past. They concentrate on a person’s views and beliefs about their life. CBT is an effective treatment for individuals, parents, children, couples, and families. The goal of CBT is to help people improve and gain more control over their lives by changing behaviors that don’t work well to ones that do.

How to Get Help

If you are looking for help, either for yourself or someone else, you may be tempted to call someone who advertises in a local publication or who comes up from a search of the Internet. You may, or may not, find a competent therapist in this manner. It is wise to check on the credentials of a psychotherapist. It is expected that competent therapists hold advanced academic degrees. They should be listed as members of professional organizations, such as the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies or the American Psychological Association. Of course, they should be licensed to practice in your state. You can find competent specialists who are affiliated with local universities or mental health facilities or who are listed on the websites of professional organizations. You may, of course, visit our website (www.abct.org) and click on “Find a CBT Therapist”

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) is an interdisciplinary organization committed to the advancement of a scientific approach to the understanding and amelioration of problems of the human condition. These aims are achieved through the investigation and application of behavioral, cognitive, and other evidence-based principles to assessment, prevention, and treatment.