COACH-AI: On-demand AI support to help therapists deliver CPT for trauma
Official title: COACH-AI: Consultation on Demand: Use of a Large Language Model to Provide Ongoing Therapist Support for Providing Trauma-Focused Therapy
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11595748 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Stanford-led project will refine and test an AI assistant that helps therapists deliver Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $86,602 |
| NIH project number | 5P50MH139450-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595748 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Licensed mental health providers who deliver CPT and are 6–24 months post foundational CPT training, across participating health systems.
✕Less likely to help
Providers or patients not using CPT or those outside the participating health systems may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project will involve therapists, supervisors, and administrators to iteratively design and test an AI tool called COACH-AI. The team will gather feedback from end users and run a small randomized comparison to see if COACH-AI improves CPT delivery and usability. If successful, the tool could be ready for broader use in public mental health settings. The work blends user-centered design with early effectiveness testing to support real-world clinical practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, COACH-AI could make CPT delivery more accessible and consistent, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior AI-assisted clinical tools show feasibility, with mixed effectiveness; this project builds on iterative design and direct provider feedback.
Where this research is happening
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Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wiltsey Stirman, Shannon — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Wiltsey Stirman, Shannon
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.