Mental Health as a Computational Science
Presented by:
Katie Aafjes-van Doorn, PhD
New York University Shanghai & Deliberate AI
This presentation outlines a program of research aimed at making mental health a computational science by developing AI-based measurement systems that integrate video, audio, physiological, linguistic, and behavioral signals. Using multimodal feature extraction, machine learning models were trained to predict clinically relevant outcomes such as symptom severity, therapeutic alliance, and therapist skills.
Across a series of studies, Dr Aafjes-van Doorn demonstrates that multimodal models derived from videorecorded psychotherapy sessions, remote interviews, and AI-mediated interactions can infer clinician-rated symptoms, patient-rated alliance, and observer-rated therapist competencies with increasing accuracy. She further explores extensions using chatbot interviews and avatar-based tasks to examine the feasibility of AI-supported assessments in scalable, remote contexts.
Educational Objectives:
As a result of participating in this activity, you should be able to:
- Identify AI methods that can be applied to mental health measurement and therapy competency assessments, as well as clinical feasibility challenges
- Describe clinical feasibility challenges in our mental health field
- Practice with avatar-based training tools
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Designation Statement: Silver Hill Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
NASW/Connecticut Statement: This program has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Credit Hours by the National Association of Social Workers, CT and meets the continuing education criteria for CT Social Work Licensure renewal. Approval also meets the continuing education criteria for CT LMFTs, LPCs, and licensed psychologists. NASW/CT approvals are valid in MA, RI, and VT.
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New York Psychologist Statement: Silver Hill Hospital is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0227. This program is approved for 1.5 contact hours.
Planner Disclosure: No planners of this activity have indicated a relevant financial relationship with an ACCME defined commercial interest.