01
Digital mental health
Developing, evaluating, and optimizing digital interventions for OCD and anxiety
BOLD A therapist-guided exposure and response prevention app for adults with OCD
Related publications
Digital mental health · Clinical science · AI
Tao Lin, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of PsychiatryUniversity of PennsylvaniaCenter for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety
About
Welcome to my home page! I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and a licensed clinical psychologist at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
My research combines digital technology, AI, and clinical science to improve treatment access, efficiency, and outcomes. I study how digital tools and human support can work together, from guided self-help and everyday risk monitoring to therapist training.
My clinical work focuses on evidence-based treatments for OCD, anxiety, PTSD, and depression. This clinical perspective shapes the questions I ask and the tools I develop.
Outside of work, I write novels, play tennis, surf, and travel.
News & Talks
Recent and upcoming
Updates and upcoming talks will be posted here.
Research Areas & Expertise
02
Digital phenotyping & risk monitoring
Using ecological momentary assessments and wearable sensors to extend symptom monitor and care beyond clinical settings
EMA & wearables Continuous collection of individual-level data
Related publications03
Clinical training & AI
Developing and enhancing clinical training with AI and technology
Tele-FIRST & A-Tele-FIRST Online training for enhancing interpersonal skills in teletherapy
Related publications04
Methods & Statistical Expertise
- Meta-analysis: conventional, network, individual participant data; mixed-effects modeling; multivariate analysis; latent class & profile analysis; machine learning
Grants & Awards
Selected research funding and professional recognition.
Research grants
- 2024
Collaborative Small Research Award
Society for Psychotherapy Research
Co-PI with Katie Aafjes-van Doorn
$5,000
- 2024
International Research Grant for Students and Early Career Professionals
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
$1,000
- 2022–2023
Collaborative Small Research Award
Society for Psychotherapy Research
Principal Investigator
$5,000
- 2022–2023
Charles J. Gelso, PhD, Psychotherapy Research Grant
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
Co-PI with Katie Aafjes-van Doorn
$5,000
Awards & recognition
- 2026
Hans Strupp Memorial Early Career Award
- 2025
Bergin & Garfield Emerging Scholar
Society for Psychotherapy Research
Selected Publications
Open a publication for a summary and paper link
10 selected publications
A prompt-based tutorial for large language model–assisted screening in systematic reviews and meta-analyses
A practical, human-supervised approach to literature screening using large language models.
Read paper AI & evidence synthesis
Does ecological momentary assessment improve prediction of suicide risk among military personnel and veterans, and how frequent should it be?
Testing what repeated brief assessments add beyond session-based assessment, and how to balance information with participant burden.
Read paper Risk monitoring
Beating OCD and Learning Digitally (BOLD): An open trial of a therapist-supported, self-guided exposure and response prevention app for adults with OCD
An initial open trial examining a digital treatment approach with brief therapist support.
Read paper Digital interventions
Predicting next-day suicidal urges, depression, and PTSD symptoms using ecological momentary assessments and passive sensing of sleep among military service members and veterans
Combining self-reported sleep and wearable measures to study next-day symptom and risk fluctuations.
Read paper Sleep & digital phenotyping
Efficacy of facilitative interpersonal and relational skills training for teletherapy: A randomized controlled trial
A randomized evaluation of a two-hour online workshop for developing therapeutic skills in teletherapy.
Read paper Therapist training
The efficacy of synchronous teletherapy versus in-person therapy: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Synthesis of randomized trials comparing synchronous remote and in-person psychotherapy.
Read paper Teletherapy · Meta-analysis
Bridging the mental health care gap for international students via digital interventions: Conceptual foundations and a five-stage model for culturally sensitive design
A framework for developing culturally sensitive digital mental health interventions for international students.
Read paper Digital interventions · Access to care
Are therapists less skilful in teletherapy than in-person therapy scenarios? A latent profile analysis of facilitative interpersonal skills
Observer-rated and self-reported skills across teletherapy and in-person scenarios, with implications for tailored training.
Read paper Clinical training · Therapist skill profiles
Reduced therapeutic skill in teletherapy versus in-person therapy: The role of non-verbal communication
Examining how nonverbal communication relates to therapists’ perceived skills in remote care.
Read paper Clinical training · Nonverbal communication
Zoom-in to zone-out: Therapists report less therapeutic skill in telepsychology versus face-to-face therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Therapists’ perceptions of therapeutic skills across formats, highlighting needs for teletherapy training and support.
Read paper Clinical training · Teletherapy skills
Full publication list on Google Scholar
Updated October 2026
Clinical
I am a licensed psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety. My clinical expertise focuses on evidence-based treatment for OCD, anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Certified exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapist for OCD with experience in both clinical care and the development of digital OCD interventions.
Anxiety
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure-based approaches for anxiety disorders
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Evidence-based trauma treatment, including prolonged exposure (PE)
Depression
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
Neuroassessment
Neuropsychological and cognitive testing in adults
Contact
For research collaborations, academic inquiries, or conversations about digital mental health and therapist training, get in touch.