J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.
2024 Aug;63(3):151-166. 10.4306/jknpa.2024.63.3.151.
Psychotherapy Based on the Large Language Models: On the Aspect of the Theory of Mind, a Narrative Review
- Affiliations
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- 1Ewha Women’s University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 2Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- KMID: 2559177
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2024.63.3.151
Abstract
- This review evaluates the role of the large language model (LLM) in psychotherapy, emphasizing integration with theory of mind (ToM) and its influence on therapeutic outcomes and interactions. The current state-of-the-art in LLMs matches a 6-year-old’s ToM level, and thus encounters limitations in client interactions. Reinforcing the LLM ToM could improve interaction quality and can foster empathetic therapeutic settings vital for effective psychotherapy. However, significant gaps remain, especially in achieving contextual, human-like interactions. Key challenges include a lack of evaluation standards for LLM-based psychotherapies, insufficient clinical training data, and the need for a deeper exploration of therapeutic alliances between the LLM and the clients. This review emphasizes the transformative potential of the LLM in psychotherapy through integration with ToM, enhancing both the understanding of patients’ mental states and therapeutic interactions. Future research should focus on refining ToM benchmarks for the LLM, examining the therapeutic alliance, and addressing methodological issues to optimize ToM in LLM-based psychotherapy.
