Transforming CBT Training with AI Patient Simulation

We're excited to share the results of our pilot study on CBT Trainer, an innovative AI-powered application designed to enhance the training experience for cognitive behavioral therapy practitioners. Developed in collaboration with University College London's CORE Data Lab, CBT Trainer addresses critical challenges in traditional training approaches by providing on-demand access to realistic virtual patient interactions.

The Study: Promising Results for CBT Education

Our pilot study with 59 participants from psychological practitioner training programs revealed impressive outcomes:

• Participants spent an average of 95 minutes engaging with roleplays
• Users created an average of 4.15 roleplay sessions each
• Each session contained approximately 50 interactions between trainee and virtual patient
• The platform achieved an excellent usability score of 82.2 out of 100
• Nearly 97% of participants reported improvement in assessment skills
• 68% noted enhanced information gathering abilities

One trainee shared: "Being able to use the platform meant that I could practice an entire assessment repeatedly, with different presenting problems, with a patient who would give similar answers to an actor in the OSCE."

Key Features

CBT Trainer offers a comprehensive suite of features designed specifically for psychological training:

• Diverse Virtual Patients: Practice with a range of clinical presentations including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, PTSD, and agoraphobia
• Voice & Text Interaction: Engage naturally using voice commands or text input
• Structured Feedback: Receive immediate, competency-based guidance to develop therapeutic skills
• Safe Learning Environment: Practice without performance anxiety in a judgment-free space
• Anytime, Anywhere Access: Train on your own schedule without depending on peer availability

Addressing Training Challenges

Mental health education faces numerous challenges that CBT Trainer helps overcome:

1. Limited Practice Opportunities: The app provides unlimited chances to practice with diverse case presentations
2. Inconsistent Training Experiences: Standardized scenarios ensure all trainees can access similar learning experiences
3. Resource-Intensive Supervision: Self-directed practice complements traditional supervision
4. Assessment Standardization: Consistent presentation of clinical scenarios supports fair skill evaluation

Complementing Traditional Methods

CBT Trainer isn't designed to replace traditional training—it enhances it. Our study participants identified significant advantages over conventional methods:

• Immediate Feedback (identified by 81% of participants)
• Accessibility and Convenience (74%)
• Reduced Performance Anxiety (39%)
• Practice Flexibility (32%)

As one participant noted: "Knowing that I could practice anytime of the day made me feel so much more calm about my exam as I didn't have to rely on other people to practice with."

Get Started Today

CBT Trainer is available now on iOS, with Android support coming soon:

• iOS Users: Download from the App Store
• Android Users: Join the waitlist by contacting contact@soymh.com
• Program Directors: Interested in making this solution available to your students? Contact us for a demonstration and institutional licensing options.

For a deeper dive into our research, the preprint is available at https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/h84qn_v1.

Looking Forward

As we continue developing CBT Trainer, we're excited to explore new features, additional therapeutic modalities, and expanded clinical presentations. Our mission remains clear: to support the next generation of mental health professionals with innovative learning tools that enhance clinical competence and ultimately improve patient care.

Ready to transform your training experience? Download CBT Trainer today and see the difference for yourself.