Publications
Attached are links to the lab's latest publications along with brief summary information about each.
Transparency Regarding the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Psychotherapy
Would you want to know if your therapist is using ChatGPT to analyze your emotional world? "Transparency Regarding the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Psychotherapy" examines the relevant ethical issues concerning questions of trust and autonomy in mental health care within the AI era.
In a world where 80% of adolescents in Israel already utilize AI as a resource for emotional support, this article explores the point at which operational efficiency becomes a clinical and professional risk. The authors propose a unique framework that balances respect for the patient's right to know with the concern of the model becoming a "shadow therapist", one that might gradually replace intimate human judgment.
The article is authored by Dr. Oren Asman, Mr Daniel Toledano, and Dr. Amir Tal. (April 2026)
Responsible Design, Integration, and Use of Generative AI in Mental Health
This editorial introduces the first-ever special issue dedicated to the integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in mental health.
It outlines the central themes of the issue, whose contributions explore the potential of GenAI systems to recognize emotions, summarize therapy sessions, and assess risk, while also confronting the critical challenge of validating such technologies.
The editorial further engages with pressing concerns such as algorithmic bias, the role of empathy in AI, and the importance of adopting human-centered ethical frameworks, like the ethics of care, when designing and implementing AI systems in mental health contexts.
The article is authored by Dr. Oren Asman, Prof. John Torous, and Dr. Amir Tal. (January 2025)
An Ethical Perspective on the Democratization of Mental Health With Generative AI
As generative AI technologies become increasingly accessible to the public, their use in mental health represents a new phase in the broader democratization of knowledge. This article explores the transformative potential of GenAI to increase access to personalized mental health support and disrupt traditional hierarchies between clinicians and service users.
It also addresses significant ethical, professional, and societal challenges associated with this shift. To support responsible integration, the authors propose a strategic framework for evaluating mental health AI applications, emphasizing the importance of balancing benefits with risks.
Authors: Prof. Zohar Elyoseph, Dr. Tamar Gur, Mr. Yuval Haber, Dr. Tomer Simon, Mr. Tal Angert, Ms. Yuval Navon, Dr. Amir Tal, Dr. Oren Asman. (October 2024)
Boundary-blurred behaviors in academic teachers-students facebook interaction
This study explored the differences between nursing students and academic faculty in their attitudes, subjective norms, and behaviors on Facebook, particularly those reflecting blurred boundaries in student-teacher relationships.
Findings indicated that students generally held more favorable attitudes toward such boundary-blurring behaviors and were primarily influenced by peer social norms. In contrast, lecturers were more influenced by the university’s academic norms. These differences underscore the importance of clarifying boundaries and establishing guidelines for the appropriate use of social media in student-teacher communication.
The research was conducted by Ms. Ronya Levy as part of her master's thesis, under the supervision of Prof. Sivia Barnoy and Dr. Oren Asman. (November 2024)
Conversational Artificial Intelligence—Patient Alliance Turing Test and the Search for Authenticity
A few months after OpenAI launched the first publicly accessible version of ChatGPT, fundamental questions emerged about how such a conversational AI might reshape the landscape of therapeutic dialogue.
Can a system devoid of a "self" convey genuine authenticity? And if not, can it nonetheless be regarded as a form of therapist?
This article explores these questions through the perspectives of notable thinkers in therapy and philosophy, offering a preliminary normative framework for ongoing discourse, as generative AI technologies continue to develop and find new applications within mental health practice.
Authors: Dr. Oren Asman, Dr. Amir Tal, Prof. Yechiel Michael Bar-Ilan