As we reflect on 2025, we’re proud to share how Lyssn has continued advancing evidence-based practices through our AI solutions, expertise, and our commitment to innovation. Below, we’ve curated highlights from engaging webinars, informative academic research, insightful press coverage, and new Learn & Practice modules.
If you want to learn more about how Lyssn can meet your organization’s specific needs, click here to get in touch with our team
Webinars
Join AI and behavioral health experts Dr. Zac Imel and Dr. Vivek Srikumar as they cut through AI jargon and share practical, actionable insights. Learn how to evaluate relevant AI technologies, navigate ethical considerations, identify high-value use cases, avoid common pitfalls, and take practical steps toward implementation.
[Watch the webinar recording here]
In this session, hear from experts Ernestine Briggs-King and Kelly McCauley, moderated by Carole Hussey, as they explore how AI is transforming child welfare training by providing safe practice environments, immediate feedback, and enhanced supervision tools. Discover practical ways to scale quality training that prepares professionals for complex situations without overwhelming your systems.
[Watch the webinar recording here]
In this discussion, experts Michelle Horvath and Sara Wombwell, moderated by Dr. Christina Soma, explore how AI tools support suicide prevention by monitoring protocols, providing balanced feedback, and surfacing coaching opportunities. You’ll learn how this approach improves supervision efficiency, generates actionable data, and scales to meet the demands of today’s crisis teams.
[Watch the webinar recording here]
In this session, hear from experts Reyna Puentes and Maria Vasquez James, moderated by Carole Hussey, as they share monitoring techniques, implementation experiences, and insights into how proper MI fidelity impacts funding and outcomes. Learn practical strategies to strengthen supervision and maximize your agency’s effectiveness.
[Watch the webinar recording here]
Press Articles
Is Slingshot’s mental health chatbot safe? Its first study raises questions about evaluating AI
In a STAT News article on AI in mental healthcare, Dr. David Atkins, Lyssn’s CEO, emphasized the critical need for rigorous evaluation of AI in mental healthcare beyond marketing hype. As quoted in STAT News, Dr. Atkins highlighted how current AI tools explore ambitious territory, but cannot yet replicate the nuanced therapist-client interactions that make talk therapy effective.
Scaling Child Welfare Workforce Training with AI Technology
Discover key insights from our webinar, “Scaling Child Welfare Workforce Training with AI Technology”. Learn how agencies are using AI to reduce staff turnover, strengthen trauma-informed practices, and implement evidence-based training at scale.
Strengthen Compliance and Operational Efficiency in Human Services with Artificial Intelligence
In this insightful blog, Carole Hussey, President of Evolv Strategy Group, explores how AI tools like Lyssn are revolutionizing child welfare agencies. She further discusses how these tools automate time-consuming routine processes while providing data-driven insights that enhance decision-making and service quality.
Govt. Considerations for Adding AI Into Human Services
As government agencies face workforce shortages and rising demands across health and human services, this article explores how AI is being used not to replace workers, but to improve quality, efficiency, and employee support. Drawing on real-world examples, it highlights how AI-driven coaching and training—such as Lyssn’s approach—can help caseworkers and agencies strengthen practice, scale supervision, and better support their workforce.
Supporting the Child Welfare Workforce Through AI-Assisted Evidence-Based Practice Implementation
The Spring 2025 issue of CW360° from the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) brings together thought leaders exploring evidence-based approaches to technology in child welfare. Lyssn’s contribution focuses on developing responsible, research-informed AI that enhances rather than replaces human expertise in health and human services.
Bringing AI to Child Welfare Agencies to Efficiently Train and Improve Supervision Workflows
Lyssn was featured in the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Children’s Voice issue with an article titled “Bringing AI to Child Welfare Casework” which discusses how artificial intelligence like Lyssn can help child welfare agencies manage complex missions, growing service demands, and labor pressures.
A.I and Child Welfare with Michael Tanana
In this conversation, Dr. Michael Tanana discusses how Lyssn applies artificial intelligence to child welfare services. Additionally, he also shares insights about launching an AI company in this sensitive field, while thoughtfully addressing the ethical considerations of incorporating technology in systems where family preservation and child safety are at stake.
Published Academic Papers
A Framework for Automation in Psychotherapy
Collaborators: Tim Althoff, Dana Atzil-Slonim, Torrey Creed, Brent Kious, Zac Imel, and Vivek Srikumar
The contributing authors outline key areas where AI is influencing mental healthcare and share insights for psychotherapists and mental health organizations to consider when engaging with AI technologies.
Development and Validation of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis Online Training With Automated Feedback
Collaborators: Scott Baldwin, Dror Ben-Zeev, Rachel Brian, Zac Imel, Sarah Kopelovich, Brian Pace, Victoria Shepard, Roisín Slevin, Christina Soma, Sarah Stanco, Shannon Stewart, Michael Tanana
The study demonstrated that an Lyssn’s online CBTp training tool using simulated clients and a transformer-based machine-learning model can reliably assess discrete CBTp skills, with ML ratings closely matching human fidelity ratings, supporting scalable, automated training and feedback.
Association of Machine-Learning-Rated Supportive Counseling Skills With Psychotherapy Outcome
Collaborators: David Atkins, Scott Baldwin, Simon Goldberg, Zac Imel, Shrikanth Narayanan, Michael Tanana, Lauren Weitzman, Xinyao Zhang
In an analysis of nearly 3,000 in-person psychotherapy sessions showed a high amount of variability in provider skills. The study found that therapists’ use of open questions and reflections—measured using a machine-learning system—was associated with greater client symptom reduction across therapists, highlighting the importance of exploratory supportive counseling skills.
Preliminary Investigation of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training Tool
Collaborators: Scott A. Baldwin, Dror Ben-Zeev, Rachel Brian, Zac Imel, Sarah Kopelovich, Victoria Shepard, Roisín Slevin, Michael Tanana
In collaboration with the University of Washington, Lyssn developed and validated an AI-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) training to support providers working with individuals with serious mental illness. In evaluation results, 96% of learners found the feedback accurate, and 100% reported increased evidence-based practice skills.
Evaluating Asynchronous Motivational Interviewing Training for Nursing Students: A Quantitative Study
Collaborators: Elizabeth Barnett, Alexei Bullara, Alison Holman
Lyssn was utilized to evaluate teaching motivational interviewing skills to nursing students. The semester long curriculum was associated with an improvement in MI proficiency, reflections and open questions.
Artificial Intelligence to Support Human Provided Mental Health Treatment
Collaborators: David Atkins, Zac Imel, Patty Kuo, Maitrey Mehta Christina Soma, Vivek Srikumar
In a review of augmented AI tools in mental healthcare, Lyssn, along with other experts, examined early developments and innovations, as well as current efforts to use AI for quality improvement, training, client support, and documentation. Lyssn presented a structure of how to evaluate AI models for potential bias, and the systemic consequences of perpetuating bias.
New Learn & Practice Modules
Lyssn’s Multicultural Orientation Framework training provides insights in culturally responsive care with an evidence-based approach. This module offers best-in-class instruction from Multicultural Orientation experts, Dr. Jesse Owens, Dr. Karen Tao, and Dr. Shaakira Haywood Stewart, paired with immediate AI-powered feedback as users apply concepts and respond to realistic client scenarios.
Lyssn’s Suicide Prevention training is designed to give professionals the essential skills they need to identify and respond to suicide risk—confidently and compassionately. This module provides best-in-class instruction from Suicide Prevention experts Dr. David Jobes and Dr. Samantha Chalker, paired with immediate AI-powered feedback as users apply concepts and respond to realistic client scenarios.
Lyssn’s Motivational Interviewing for Human and Health Services training is designed to equip professionals with MI skills and concepts for effective implementation in health and human services settings.This module provides best-in-class instruction from Motivational Interviewing expert Dr. Mary Hodorowicz, paired with immediate AI-powered feedback as users apply concepts and respond to realistic client scenarios.