Couples Therapy Assistance Delivery
I have a separate website, www.ctadelivery.com, for a service provided specifically for couples therapists, called Couples Therapy Assistance Delivery LLC. That website serves couples therapists who would like to have resources to assist them in providing the best services possible for their clients. Included is information about educational opportunities to become better couples therapists; links to reading materials and tools to help clients with communication skills and conflict resolution; and information about books, articles, blogs and podcasts that are useful for couples therapists. There is also information about a very useful app I created called the Couples Therapy Assistant.
Description of the Couples Therapy Assistant App and How It Works
Drawing from my professional experience and personal observations, I have envisioned a unique application, The Couples Therapy Assistant, or CTA, that brings assistance and support into couples’ daily lives. I identified a pressing need for timely, context-sensitive support in couples’ interactions. Couples often wish they could have instant access to useful information during critical moments at home. I work with a lot of couples in my practice and sometimes they’ll say something like, “I wish that I could just have you to consult while I’m home and we’re having an argument.”
The Essence of the CTA App: Redefining Support for Couples
This application goes beyond traditional therapy by providing an always-available, AI-driven guide to supplement the sessions with the couples therapist. It’s designed to act like a reference in your pocket, offering real-time information and support during crucial moments in between sessions, thus helping to de-escalate conflicts and enhance understanding between partners.
Immediate Resolution and Communication Enhancement
The CTA application directly addresses the gap between scheduled therapy sessions and the ongoing realities of daily life that couples navigate. By providing immediate information during disagreements—much like a therapist might offer during a session—this app helps couples manage and resolve conflicts as they arise, preventing the escalation that can lead to deeper relationship issues.
Technology Meets Emotional Intelligence
Imagine a scenario where one partner is frustrated because the other hasn’t completed a household task. Instead of the situation escalating into a larger conflict, The CTA app could assist with communication strategies or reminders about understanding each other’s perspectives, directly inspired by best practices for effective communication. My vision involves couples therapists getting this app, distributing it to their couples, and giving them instructions on how to use it. The couples therapist would need to be verified as a licensed mental health professional in order to be authorized to distribute the app to their clients.
Empowering Relationships through Innovation
By integrating sophisticated AI with the nuanced understanding of human psychology, the CTA app aims to transform everyday challenges into opportunities for growth and deeper connection, making information and strategies not only more accessible but also actionable in real time.
The Opportunity: Leading Innovation in Couples Therapy
This initiative represents a significant leap in the field of couples therapy, offering a pioneering approach to support that is both immediate and intimately relevant to each couple’s unique dynamic. This positions the app to redefine how strategies for improved relationships are implemented in real life, setting a new standard for accessibility and effectiveness, while also encouraging the users to make better use of their scheduled couples therapy sessions.
Cultivating Stronger Bonds through Digital Assistance
I like to think that I am not merely developing an app, but spearheading a movement toward enhanced interpersonal communication and relationship resilience, crafting not just an app, but a revolution in how couples communicate and connect. The goal is to create a seamless digital ecosystem that integrates effortlessly into the daily lives of couples while providing therapists with actionable insights and management tools.
The mobile application will be developed to deliver a seamless and consistent user experience. This strategy ensures wide accessibility and a uniform user experience across all mobile devices.
Ensuring Quality and Reliability QA (Quality Assurance) & Testing
A thorough, layered testing strategy will be applied across all project components. This extensive QA process aims to uphold the highest standards of reliability, performance, and user satisfaction, embodying my dedication to excellence in digital assistance to couples.
Basic Functionalities
Loading & Landing Screen Functionality
Description:
The Loading & Landing Screen functionality serves as the initial entry point for all users of the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. It introduces the users to the app’s features and guides them to the main sections.
Core Features:
The Couples Therapy Assistant logo and branding elements will be displayed during the app’s loading process. A welcome message that summarizes the app’s purpose and key features will be shown. Options for users to log in with their existing account or register for a new account will be provided. Access to legal and policy information, such as Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, will be allowed without requiring login.
Patient Users & Therapist Registration Functionality
Description:
The Registration functionality allows new users to create an account on the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. Users must specify whether they are signing up as a couple/patient or a therapist, ensuring the app tailors the experience to their specific needs.
Core Features:
Essential user information during registration, such as name, email address, and password will be collected. A field for users to specify their role (couple/patient or therapist) will be included. A secure password creation process that ensures strong passwords (e.g., minimum length, character type requirements) will be implemented. Users will be required to accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before completing registration.
Patient Users & Therapist Login Functionality
Description:
The Login functionality allows registered users (patient users and therapists) to securely access their Couples Therapy Assistant accounts on the mobile application.
Core Features:
Users will be allowed to log in using their registered email address and password. Secure password authentication will be implemented to verify user credentials. A “Forgot Password” option for users to reset their password via email will be provided.
Functionalities for Patients/Clients/Couples
Subscription Functionality
Description:
The Subscription functionality allows patient users to access the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application for free, provided they are associated with a therapist account that has an active subscription. If the therapist’s subscription is inactive or if the therapist has discontinued their connection with the patient, the patient user will not have access to the app.
Core Features:
It will be ensured that patient users can access the app for free as long as they are associated with a therapist who has an active subscription. The patient’s access status will be displayed, indicating whether they have access based on their therapist’s subscription status and the therapist’s authorization. Patient users will be informed that access to the app is managed through their therapist’s subscription and that any issues should be addressed by the therapist.
Landing Screen/New Thread Functionality
Description:
The Landing Screen/New Thread functionality allows patient users to initiate and continue therapy-related conversations within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This feature provides sample thread prompts, a message area to start a new thread, and integration with AI APIs to receive responses. Threads are saved for ongoing conversations.
Core Features:
Sample thread prompts to help users start a new conversation will be displayed. A message area will be provided where users can type and begin a new thread. AI APIs will be integrated with to generate responses to user prompts. Each thread will be saved to allow users to continue conversations within the same thread. Saved threads will be displayed for users to access and continue their conversations.
Check-In Functionality
Description:
The Check-In functionality allows patient users to regularly assess and record their feelings and relationship status within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This feature provides personalized feedback based on their responses to support their emotional well-being and relationship health.
Core Features:
A daily check-in prompt for users to assess their general feelings and feelings about their relationship will be provided. Users could opt for the check-in prompt to occur daily at a specific time, or be optional each day. Predefined options for users to select their current emotional state and relationship concerns will be included. Users will be allowed to provide additional context or details for their feelings. Personalized responses will be generated based on user inputs, utilizing AI integration. Check-in records will be saved for future reference and ongoing tracking of emotional and relationship health. Start a new thread with each check-in response and save it for the user.
User Interaction:
Initial Check-In Screen: The user navigates to the “Check-In” section within the app. The screen displays the question “How are you feeling today in general?” with the following multiple-choice options: a. Very Anxious b. A little anxious c. Very depressed d. A little down e. Overjoyed f. Content g. Optimistic h. Pessimistic i. Angry j. Remorseful k. Another Way. The user selects one of the options and provides additional context in the text field “Why are you feeling that way?” (e.g., “I have a lot of things to do and not enough time to do everything…”) The user taps “Continue” to proceed.
Relationship Check-In Screen: The next screen asks, “How are you feeling about your relationship?” with the following multiple-choice options: a. I feel angry at my partner b. I feel afraid that my partner is upset with me c. I feel troubled about a recent argument d. I feel guilty that I did something to harm my partner e. I feel grateful to have my partner in my life f. I feel anxious about the future of our relationship g. I feel doubtful about staying in this relationship h. I feel another way. The user selects one of the options and provides additional context in the text field “What triggered that feeling?” (e.g., “Mary keeps nagging me about doing things and it seems that I can never do enough to please her.”) The user taps “Continue” to proceed.
Response Screen: The final screen displays a personalized response generated by the AI, offering useful information and steps to help the user address their feelings and relationship concerns. The response starts a new thread with the check-in details and saves it for the user. The user can share the response with their partner and/or therapist or return to the main screen by tapping “Go to main screen.”
Emergency Contacts Functionality
Description:
The Emergency Contacts functionality allows patient users to quickly access and call emergency contacts, including their therapist, directly from within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This feature ensures that users can reach out for immediate help in critical situations.
Core Features:
A section will be provided within the app where users can make telephone contacts to manage their emergency.
Thread History
Description:
The Thread History functionality allows patient users to view and manage their conversation threads within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. Users can view thread titles, open threads to continue conversations, and share specific threads or messages with their therapist or partner.
Core Requirements:
Display a list of all conversation threads with their titles. Allow users to open a thread to view and continue the conversation. Provide functionality to share an entire thread or selected messages within a thread with a therapist or partner. Ensure users can easily navigate between different threads and manage their conversation history.
Shared Threads Functionality
Description:
The Shared Threads functionality allows patient users to view and manage conversation threads shared with them by their partner within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. Users can read and view all shared threads within these threads.
Core Features:
A list of all conversation threads shared with the user by their partner will be displayed. Users will be allowed to open and read/view the full conversation history of a shared thread.
Suggested Questions Functionality
Description:
The Suggested Questions functionality allows patient users to explore predefined categories of questions and select a question to start a new conversation thread within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This feature helps users initiate meaningful discussions by providing relevant prompts.
Core Features:
A list of question categories that users can browse will be provided. A list of suggested questions within each category will be displayed. Users will be allowed to select a question to start a new thread with the selected question as the initial prompt.
Assignments Functionality
Description:
The Assignments functionality allows patient users to receive, view, and manage assignments given by their therapists within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. Users can mark assignments as complete or incomplete based on their progress.
Core Features:
A list of assignments categorized as pending or completed will be displayed. Users will be allowed to view assignments using the default iOS or Android methods for viewing PDFs and images. Functionality for users to manually mark assignments as complete or incomplete will be provided.
Resources Functionality
Description:
The Resources functionality allows patient users to upload, view, and manage files and documents within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. Users can upload files directly from their device, rename files, or delete files as needed.
Core Features:
A list of uploaded files categorized by the therapist’s name and the user’s name will be displayed. Users will be allowed to view files using the default iOS or Android methods for viewing PDFs and images. Functionality will be provided for users to rename or delete files. Users will be able to upload their own resources directly from their device using the default uploading functionality found on iOS and Android.
Notification Preferences Functionality
Description:
The Notification Preferences functionality allows patient users to manage their notification settings for the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. Notifications include email for specific account-related actions and in-app and push notifications for reminders related to therapy activities.
Core Features:
Email notifications will be provided for: 1. Welcome email upon account creation. 2. Password reset instructions. 3. Account deactivation confirmation. In-app and push notifications will be provided for: 1. Reminders to check-in. 2. Notifications to complete an assignment. 3. Prompts to start a new thread if it has been a while since the last activity to ensure users are practicing their therapy. Users will be allowed to customize their notification preferences within the app.
Profile & Account Settings Functionality
Description:
The Profile & Account Settings functionality allows patient users to manage their account and personal details within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This includes login credentials, profile information, connections, legalities, notification preferences, and account status.
Core Features:
Login credentials will be managed from registration/login. Profile details will be updated: first name, last name, telephone number and profile image. The connections to a therapist and the partner will be set and managed.
Functionalities for Therapists
Subscription Functionality
Description:
The Subscription functionality allows therapists to manage their subscription to the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This feature includes options for a free trial, three-month, or annual subscriptions, with payments handled via Apple Pay on iOS and Google Pay on Android. Patient users can only access the app when associated with a therapist who has an active subscription.
Core Features:
New therapist users will be allowed to start a free trial if they have not already done so. Options will be provided for therapists to subscribe to a three-month or annual plan. All subscription payments will be handled through Apple Pay on iOS and Google Pay on Android. The therapist’s subscription status, including whether they are an active subscriber or if their subscription/free trial has ended, will be displayed. Therapists will be allowed to renew their subscription directly through the app if their subscription/free trial has ended. Therapists will be informed that managing or canceling subscriptions and payment methods must be done through the iOS and Android settings following their rules and permissions. It will be ensured that patient users only have access to the app when associated with a therapist who has an active subscription.
Manage Patients Functionality
Description:
The Manage Patients functionality allows therapists to sort and manage all their connected patients within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. Therapists can view detailed patient information, including contact details and relationship status, and access various patient-specific features.
Core Features:
A sortable list of all connected patients will be displayed. Patient details will be shown, including profile image, first name, last name, age, and relationship status (e.g., spouse, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend). Access will be provided to the patient’s email and telephone number. Therapists will be allowed to access patient-specific sections, including assignments, resources, shared threads, and check-in history. Therapists will be able to change the relationship status of a patient to stay organized. Therapists will be allowed to open the default dialer or email app on their device to contact patients.
Manage Patient Assignments Functionality
Description:
The Manage Patient Assignments functionality allows therapists to upload, view, and manage assignments for their patients within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This includes uploading various file types, setting assignment names, and viewing assignment status.
Core Features:
Files will be uploaded using the default file uploader on iOS or Android, including PDFs and images. A name will be set for each assignment. Assignments categorized by patients and their status (pending vs. completed) will be viewed. Assignments may be renamed or deleted.
Manage Patient Resources Functionality
Description:
The Manage Patient Resources functionality allows therapists to upload, view, and manage resources for their patients within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This includes uploading various file types, setting resource names, and managing the names and deletions of resources.
Core Features:
Files will be uploaded using the default file uploader on iOS or Android, including PDFs and images. A name will be set for each resource. Resources may be renamed or deleted.
Manage Patient Shared Threads Functionality
Description:
The Manage Patient Shared Threads functionality allows therapists to view all message threads within those threads that patients have permitted them to access. This feature ensures that therapists can effectively monitor patient conversations relevant to their therapy.
Core Features:
All message threads shared by the patient may be viewed by the therapist.
Manage Patients Check-Ins Functionality
Description:
The Manage Patients Check-Ins functionality allows therapists to view detailed check-ins submitted by their patients. This includes information on the patient’s general feelings and relationship status, along with descriptive insights provided by the patient during each check-in.
Core Features:
Check-ins by patients that are shared may be viewed by therapists. The date of each check-in will be displayed. The patient’s general feeling status and the patient’s description of their general feeling will be displayed. The patient’s relationship feeling status and the patient’s description of their relationship feeling will be displayed.
Notification Preferences Functionality
Description:
The Notification Preferences functionality allows therapist users to manage their notification settings for the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. Notifications include email for specific account-related actions and in-app and push notifications for updates related to their patients’ activities.
Core Features:
Email notifications will be provided for welcome email upon account creation; password reset instructions; and account deactivation confirmation. In-app and push notifications will be provided for when a patient shares a new thread; when a patient completes a new check-in; and when a patient completes an assignment. Allow therapists to customize their notification preferences within the app.
Profile & Account Settings Functionality
Description:
The Profile & Account Settings functionality allows therapist users to manage their account and professional details within the Couples Therapy Assistant mobile application. This includes login credentials, profile information, patient connections, practice details, legalities, notification preferences, and account status.
Core Features:
Login credentials will be managed from registration/login. Profile details will be updated by first name, last name, profile image. Connections will be set and managed with patients to search for and connect with patients. Notification preferences, logout of the account, and deactivation of the account will be managed.
Therapist Notes Feature Functionality
Description:
The Therapists Notes feature functionality allows therapists to create and manage notes for each patient. The therapist’s notes will be accessible and connected to both individuals in a couple by the therapist.
Core Features:
Each patient who is part of a couple will have their profile linked to their partner’s profile to enable shared access by the therapist in the context of the couple’s therapy sessions. Therapists will be able to add, edit, and delete notes related to each patient. A form for therapists to enter new notes will be provided. The form will include fields for date of the note; note title/summary; and detailed note content. A list of notes will be displayed in chronological order, with the most recent notes at the top. The notes will be accessible only to the therapist and not visible to patients or administrators. The notes will be encrypted to ensure confidentiality.
The Couples Therapy Assistant Controversy
I have been working on creating the Couples Therapy Assistant (CTA) in order to increase the effectiveness of couples therapy by serving as a tool for clients to use in between sessions and by encouraging clients to use their sessions with their couples therapist appropriately. It has been designed to be impossible to use without the authorization of a licensed therapist and for its use to be discontinued when the therapist determines that the client has stopped attending therapy.
Because the CTA would be using the AI bot technology of Chat GPT, I asked Chat GPT hundreds of questions that might possibly be asked by couples therapy clients. In addition to questions like, “What is active listening?” I tested such questions as, “My wife cheated on me. How can I get back at her?” and “What are some ways that I could kill myself?” I made sure that I was consistently satisfied with the information that was provided in response to those questions before I committed to paying for the design and development of the app.
Because the development of the app will soon be reaching completion, I made an appeal through tthe national membership forum of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). I got no immediate response from the NASW membership but then two members let me know privately that they had a few couples and they might be interested. I was delighted that I finally got some volunteers. Then I started getting responses of a very different kind, in opposition to the app, such as, “I’m shocked to see this here. I really hope that no therapists reading this help a business “test” (develop) an AI therapy product as they are literally helping that AI to learn how to eventually take away their job entirely, in the not too distant future. Please don’t believe for a minute that this will be a helpful tool for us” and “To designate a large language model algorithm to provide advice when couples are in the middle of a conflict is, in my view, a terrible idea. There have been, for example, AI systems that have given clients suggestions on how to commit suicide more effectively. What happens if the AI system gives dangerous advice, is the therapist liable? Or even more likely, the AI system gives advice that the therapist disagrees with? How much time and energy is then spent in the next session trying to fix this?” and “It’s not good for clients, and it’s not good for therapists. It’s good for whoever is selling the app, and the advertisers on the app, and the hackers who will get clients’ personal information from the app.”
I’m concerned that there are those in our profession who would discourage the use of the CTA as a tool out of fear that it would harm the mental health profession or the clients we serve. I have answers to those responses by NASW members, and I will be making sure that liability and cybersecurity issues are dealt with properly. I’m sure that as a result of misunderstandings and false beliefs about the nature of the app and the intentions for its use there will continue to be objections to the app after the CTA is put on the market. I believe the CTA will improve the services that therapists can provide to couples and increase the benefit to clients of being in therapy. My own clients are eager to use this product and are pleased to be the first people in the world to benefit from it. I’m confident that they will not be disappointed or endangered as a result and I’m sure it will not lead them to believe that it should replace their human contact with me as their therapist.
