#USA #Phoenix #Psychotherapy #University of Phoenix #AI Empathy

Introduction

At the 2026 American Psychological Association (APA) convention, Dr. Rodney Luster, the University of Phoenix's research chair, presented his groundbreaking pilot research on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance empathy in psychotherapy sessions.

Dr. Luster, who is also the chair of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research (CLER) at the University, explored how AI can play a supportive role in structured empathy practice. His virtual poster, titled "In-Session AI Reflection and Empathy Pilot Findings and Practice Implications," was part of the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy's virtual session, held on August 8.

The pilot research primarily aimed to investigate whether interaction with professionally facilitated AI personas could create a repeatable and safe environment for practicing empathy skills, which are crucial yet challenging to master in counseling.

Key Findings of the Study

The pilot study involved ten adult participants who completed two sessions with AI personas. After engaging with these simulations, participants underwent pre- and post-experience empathy assessments.
Luster presented several significant findings from the study, including:
1. Empathy Score Improvement: Participants' average scores increased markedly from 23.10 to 25.80, with nine out of ten individuals showing improvement in assessing their empathetic responses.
2. AI as a Supportive Tool: The research emphasized that while generative AI can assist in empathy training, it should not replace the vital roles of instructors, supervisors, or genuine human relationships.
3. Guided Reflection: Participants engaged in practices such as labeling emotions and validating feelings, which guided them toward better interpersonal communications.

Detailed Insights

In his discussion, Dr. Luster highlighted the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in psychotherapy. He asserted that generative AI should act as an adjunct to traditional methods of empathy training rather than as a standalone substitute. The study’s promising initial findings suggest potential, not proof, that AI can catalyze improvements in empathetic understanding.

Luster explained, "Empathy is central to effective counseling, yet it can be difficult to practice and assess consistently. This pilot explored whether AI personas could provide a consistent framework for practicing empathy. Our intention is not to replace human interactions but to explore AI's potential to enhance them."

Methodology

During the study, participants interacted with AI-designed personas that simulated various relational dynamics. They were guided to practice recognizing emotions, responding empathically, and articulating relational repair language. Before and after these encounters, participants completed an empathy self-assessment of eight items, and the researchers meticulously reviewed transcripts of the interactions for signs of empathy-enhancing behaviors.
The transcripts revealed an intriguing dynamic, suggesting that the improvement in empathic responses was associated with enhanced relational safety rather than merely achieving a correct answer, indicating the depth of this exploratory research.

Ethical Considerations

The session emphasized the need for ethical guidelines when incorporating AI in psychotherapy. Among the critical points discussed were:

• - Informed Consent: Clear and comprehensive informed consent must be obtained before using AI with clients or students.
• - Privacy Protection: Upmost importance must be given to safeguarding client confidentiality and privacy.
• - Defined Boundaries: Maintaining therapeutic boundaries is vital when introducing AI-enhanced methodologies.
• - AI Oversight: Clinicians must interpret AI outputs rather than accepting them blindly, ensuring the technology is used responsibly.

These ethical guidelines assert the necessity of maintaining human oversight and professional responsibility in any AI-enhanced therapeutic setting.

Implications for Future Research

Dr. Luster acknowledged that while the pilot study provided promising indications, further research is necessary to verify and expand upon these findings. Future studies may benefit from larger, more diverse samples and controlled comparisons to deepen the understanding of how AI can assist in the therapeutic process.
The potential applications for this AI-assisted empathy training are vast, including crises in personal relationships, workplace conflicts, and value-centric decision-making in professional settings.

Conclusion

As the field of psychotherapy continues to embrace new technologies, the promising pilot study led by Dr. Luster opens the door for novel approaches to empathy training. By systematically exploring the structured engagement with AI, professionals can enhance their practices and outcomes for clients, ensuring that empathy remains at the forefront of therapeutic compassion and effectiveness.

For additional information on the findings, the presentation abstract, and poster can be viewed on the APA 2026 program website.