Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41906137›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of mental health systems2026

Empowering mental health professionals in asynchronous online psychotherapy with GenAI.

Andreas Bucher, Inna Vashkite, Dario Staehelin, Mateusz Dolata, Gerhard Schwabe

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of mental health systems, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Andreas BucherUniversity of Zurich, Zurich, 8006, Switzerland. bucher@ifi.uzh.ch.
Inna VashkiteUniversity of Zurich, Zurich, 8006, Switzerland.
Dario StaehelinEastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, St. Gallen, 9000, Switzerland.
Mateusz DolataZeppelin University, 88045, Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Gerhard SchwabeUniversity of Zurich, Zurich, 8006, Switzerland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background Asynchronous online psychotherapy (AOP) offers a promising solution to improve access to mental healthcare, particularly in times of global crises. However, therapists practicing AOP face challenges such as emotional strain, isolation, and increased workloads. The integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) may provide support, yet little is known about its impact on the empowerment of mental health professionals, specifically regarding their perceived competence and autonomy, and how it can be integrated into blended care environments. Methods A mixed-method study was conducted with thirteen Ukrainian mental health professionals who engaged in both AI-supported and independent psychotherapy tasks using a digital agent, called APIA, powered by GPT-3.5/4. Participants completed standardized tasks such as forming diagnoses and treatment plans and responding to patient inquiries, followed by surveys and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired-sample t-tests. Qualitative data from open-ended responses and interviews were analyzed thematically. Results Quantitative findings revealed that interaction with APIA led to a statistically significant increase in perceived competence (p < 0.01) and a marginal increase in perceived autonomy (p < 0.1). Qualitative data supported these findings, indicating that APIA enhanced task efficiency, supported validation of judgments, and improved independence. Three archetypes for integrating digital agents into AOP were identified: psychotherapist-centric, patient-centric, and therapy-centric. Despite the benefits, concerns were raised about data confidentiality, overreliance by inexperienced professionals, and potential depersonalization of care. Conclusions GenAI-based digital agents can positively influence mental health professionals’ sense of competence and, to a lesser extent, autonomy in asynchronous online psychotherapy settings. This empowerment may contribute to improved therapeutic quality and professional well-being. However, thoughtful integration, method-specific constraints, and ethical considerations must be addressed to realize the full potential of AI-supported mental healthcare.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceDigital AgentsGenerative AIPsychotherapy

Identifiers

PMID41906137
PMCPMC13200378

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.