Intelligent Computer-Based Assessment and Psychotherapy: An Expert System for Sexual Dysfunction

New and converging developments in the areas of artificial intelligence, intelligent tutoring systems, and cognitive therapy have made possible a new approach to computer assisted assessment and psychotherapy. This new approach combines the capacity for intelligent therapeutic dialogue with the presentation of individualized therapeutic interventions. Previous attempts at computerized psychotherapy are reviewed to highlight a newly developed rule-based expert system, Sexpert, which assesses and treats sexual dysfunction. Preliminary observations concerning couples' reaction to and acceptance of Sexpert are presented.