# CBTpro: Scaling up CBT for psychosis using simulated patients and spoken language technologies

> **NIH NIH R42** · LYSSN.IO, INC. · 2020 · $498,562

## Abstract

Psychosis resulting from schizophrenia spectrum disorders and major mood disorders is one of the most
disabling health concerns worldwide. Evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions are recommended as
standard of care by national psychosis treatment guidelines but are rarely accessible. Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) is the most well-researched psychotherapy for psychotic disorders, yet fewer
than 1% of American mental health providers are trained in this intervention. To date, there has been no
scalable way to offer high-quality and sustainable CBTp training to mental health providers. The primary
objective of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal is to develop and evaluate a spoken
language technology tool – CBTpro -- to support high-quality skills training in CBTp. CBTpro will provide a
rapid means of scaling and sustaining CBTp in routine care settings across the US, resulting in more clinicians
across the country providing higher quality CBTp to individuals with psychosis. This fast-track STTR proposal
has two phases. The objective of Phase I is to develop a CBTpro prototype, which requires three core
activities: Aim 1: understand community stakeholder needs to inform software design and functionality; Aim 2:
develop CBTpro digital content; and Aim 3: train and validate machine learning algorithms to automatically
score CBTp fidelity. The objective of Phase II is to optimize and test the CBTpro tool in real world practice
settings. Accordingly, in Phase II, we will Aim 1: conduct a lab usability study (Aim 1a) followed by field testing
of the CBTpro prototype (Aim 1b) with 20 trainees; Aim 2: conduct a randomized controlled trial of CBTpro
training vs. training as usual (N= 100 providers / N=300 clients), using a nested mixed model analysis to
determine the effect of CBTpro on client symptoms, functioning, and recovery; and Aim 3: adopting an NIMH
experimental therapeutics approach, assess the hypothesized mechanism by which CBTpro affects clinical
outcomes through increased provider fidelity to CBTp (mediation), and test whether the strength of the
relationship between these variables is affected by client skill acquisition (moderation). This proposal directly
addresses the National Institute of Mental Health’s strategic objectives to improve dissemination,
implementation, and continuous improvement of evidence-based mental health services (Objective 4.2) and
develop innovative models to dramatically improve the outcomes of mental health services received (Objective
4.3), particularly through the use of novel technology. CBTpro has the potential to reduce the high personal
and societal costs associated with serious mental illness, redress the challenges of training amidst high rates
of mental health system turnover, support supervisors in quality assurance and improvement efforts, and
reduce health disparities associated with mental health workforce shortage areas.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10004543
- **Project number:** 1R42MH123215-01
- **Recipient organization:** LYSSN.IO, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah Lynn Kopelovich
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $498,562
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-03-11 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10004543

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10004543, CBTpro: Scaling up CBT for psychosis using simulated patients and spoken language technologies (1R42MH123215-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10004543. Licensed CC0.

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