Using Generative AI To Predict Mental Health Treatment Success And Psychotherapeutic Trajectories

InnovationAIUsing Generative AI To Predict Mental Health Treatment Success And Psychotherapeutic TrajectoriesByLance Eliot,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dr. Lance B. Eliot is a world-renowned AI scientist and consultant.Follow AuthorApr 29, 2026, 03:15am EDTLeveraging generative AI and LLMs to make predictions about the path and outcome of undertaking mental health therapy.gettyIn today’s column, I examine the fascinating possibility that we might be able to use generative AI and large language models (LLMs) to predict the psychotherapeutic success or failure for people opting to undertake mental health therapy. Here’s the deal. A person decides to get mental health support and makes use of therapy accordingly. A vexing question that has existed since the beginning of psychotherapy is whether the eventual outcome can be predicted. The person might successfully complete therapy and be considered good to go, no longer requiring additional therapy. On the other hand, a person might end up still in mental straits, despite the therapy going on and on. Research in the field of psychology suggests that predicting the likely outcome is often possible. The hope is to make the prediction as soon as possible, namely, perhaps after the first or second session of therapy. This will then allow the therapist and the client to identify jointly what else might be undertaken if the treatment is seemingly not going to produce the anticipated upside results.Various traditional statistical approaches have been previously used for this complex prediction task. The latest avenue consists of stridently leaning into the use of generative AI and LLMs. Using modern AI for this vaunted purpose is an intriguing possibility and is only now being avidly explored.Let’s talk about it.This analysis of AI breakthroughs is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI, including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexi...