Generative Artificial Intelligence for Exposure Therapy: Guidelines for Clinicians and Patients

Andrew M Sherrill; Dominik O Mattioli; Rebecca L Schneider; Kathryn M Bell; Sadie Kee; Christopher W Wiese; Saeed Abdullah; Donovan M Ellis

doi:10.1891/JCP-2025-0036

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Generative Artificial Intelligence for Exposure Therapy: Guidelines for Clinicians and Patients

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Generative Artificial Intelligence for Exposure Therapy: Guidelines for Clinicians and Patients

Andrew M Sherrill, Dominik O Mattioli, Rebecca L Schneider, Kathryn M Bell, Sadie Kee, Christopher W Wiese, Saeed Abdullah and Donovan M Ellis

Journal of cognitive psychotherapy, Vol.39(4), pp.342-356

12/01/2025

DOI: 10.1891/JCP-2025-0036

PMID: 41224513

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Abstract

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) presents new opportunities for enhancing exposure therapy for anxiety- and trauma-related disorders. GenAI is not a replacement for clinical expertise but a powerful ancillary tool. This article offers practical guidance for clinicians and patients on how to use GenAI to develop and conduct personalized exposure exercises. To help orient clinicians to these tools, we provide an overview of ethical considerations and describe the fundamentals of how to use GenAI between and within sessions. We discuss how GenAI tools can assist in generating exposure stimuli, such as images, videos, and scripts, as well as conversational agents. We also provide guidance on how these tools can assist in brainstorming and organizing exposure hierarchies. Finally, we discuss how exposure therapy can continue to flourish using GenAI through clinician training, the exchange of GenAI stimuli and procedures, and clear messaging from leadership and organizations.

anxiety

treatment

approaches to CBT

exposure therapy (general)

Details

Title: Subtitle: Generative Artificial Intelligence for Exposure Therapy: Guidelines for Clinicians and Patients
Creators: Andrew M Sherrill - Emory University
Dominik O Mattioli - Pennsylvania State University
Rebecca L Schneider - Emory University
Kathryn M Bell - Acadia University
Sadie Kee - Georgia Institute of Technology
Christopher W Wiese - Georgia Institute of Technology
Saeed Abdullah - Pennsylvania State University
Donovan M Ellis - Emory University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of cognitive psychotherapy, Vol.39(4), pp.342-356
DOI: 10.1891/JCP-2025-0036
PMID: 41224513
NLM abbreviation: J Cogn Psychother
ISSN: 0889-8391
eISSN: 1938-887X
Publisher: SPRINGER PUBLISHING CO
Grant note: National Science Foundation: 2326144
Funding. The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (2326144) .
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 11/12/2025
Date published: 12/01/2025
Academic Unit: Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Record Identifier: 9985113262802771

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