The Inhuman Computer / the Too-Human Psychotherapist

Abstract

There has been an understandable rejection by psychotherapists of any natural language processing (computer/human interaction by means of usual language exchange) which is intended to embrace aspects of psychotherapy. For at least twenty years therapists have experimented with computer programs for specific and general purpose with reported success. This paper describes some of the aspects of artificial intelligence used in computer-mediated or computer-assisted therapy and the utility of such efforts in general reevaluation of human-to-human psychotherapy.

Development and Initial Testing of a Multimedia Program for Computer-Assisted Cognitive Therapy

“…Although concerns have been raised about possible negative effects of having humans interact with a machine as a component of therapy and about the limitations of computer programs in communicating with patients (1,2,10,11), most studies have found that patients readily accept computer tools for psychotherapy (2,7,12). For example, Colby et al (2) reported that 219 (79%) of 278 users of their text-based program reported a high level of satisfaction, and Marks et al (7) observed that 71% of subjects who used an interactive voice response system for obsessivecompulsive disorder noted that the program improved the quality of their lives.…”

Computer-based interventions for drug use disorders: A systematic review

“…These systems offer a number of potential advantages, including low cost, greater accessibility and 24-hour availability, opportunity for more frequent and/or longer therapeutic contact, greater confidentiality, increased flexibility and convenience, and increased opportunities for practicing skills (Budman, 2000; Marks, Shaw, & Parkin, 1998; Nadelson, 1987). Such systems may even be preferred by some clients who dislike therapy or have concerns about confidentiality, and may be particularly useful in rural or remote settings, where access to psychotherapy for substance use disorders may be limited and accompanied by increased stigma (Connors, Tonnigan, & Miller, 2001; Hall & Huber, 2000).…”

Ethical challenges in argumentation and dialogue in a healthcare context

“…At the other end of the spectrum, early experiments with the 1966 computer "Rogerian therapist" Eliza [63] have shown that, for some people, too much trust in a system can be an issue. Eliza was built as a parody, intended to demonstrate the superficiality of communication between people and machines [38]; yet due to our tendency to anthropomorphise seemed to demonstrate quite the opposite, with users attributing far greater understanding, intelligence and empathy than was in the system, inducing "powerful delusional thinking in quite normal people" [63].…”