Leveraging Large Language Models for Simulated Psychotherapy Client Interactions: Development and Usability Study of Client101

Abstract

Background: In recent years, large language models (LLMs) have shown a remarkable ability to generate human‑like text. One potential application of this capability is using LLMs to simulate clients in a mental health context. This research presents the development and evaluation of Client101, a web conversational platform featuring LLM‑driven chatbots designed to simulate mental health clients. Objective: We aim to develop and test a web‑based conversational psychotherapy training tool designed to closely resemble clients with mental health issues. Methods: We used GPT‑4 and prompt engineering techniques to develop chatbots that simulate realistic client conversations. Two chatbots were crea..