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25+ AI Prompts for Therapists (Ungated Library)

The complete, copy-paste library of AI prompts for therapists. Covers marketing, psychoeducation, and treatment planning—all with clear PHI-safety warnings

September 5, 2026· 18 min read
25+ AI Prompts for Therapists (Ungated Library)

The short answer

These 25+ copy-paste prompts for tools like ChatGPT and Claude cover practice marketing, client psychoeducation handouts, treatment-plan structures, and administrative tasks. They are designed to be used *without* client-identifying information. For any task involving Protected Health Information (PHI), you must use a HIPAA-compliant tool that provides a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

Verified against live pricing pages·30 Aug 2026·How we test

Welcome to the only prompt library for therapists you’ll need to bookmark. As an independent AI-tools directory, we’ve seen hundreds of guides, many of which are frustratingly thin, hide their best content behind an email gate, or ignore the single most important rule for using AI in a clinical setting.

This guide is different. Everything is ungated. More importantly, every prompt is designed for a specific, PHI-safe workflow. We’ll show you how to use general-purpose AI for the administrative and creative work *around* your sessions, saving you hours of non-billable time. We’ll also be clear about where these tools stop and where HIPAA-compliant platforms must take over.

This is part of our larger work helping professionals in fields like mental and behavioral health adopt AI safely and effectively. ZEKAI reviews all tools independently; we do not sell the tools we review.

The One Rule Before You Paste: Never Use Real PHI

Before we give you a single prompt, let’s establish the non-negotiable ground rule. You cannot, under any circumstances, enter a client’s Protected Health Information (PHI) into a standard, public large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT, Claude, or Google’s Gemini.

PHI includes any information that can be used to identify a client, including but not limited to:

Using a standard AI tool with PHI is a HIPAA violation. These tools use your data to train their models, do not offer a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), and are not secure for clinical information. A BAA is a legally required contract between a healthcare provider and a vendor that ensures the vendor protects PHI in accordance with HIPAA rules. Failing to have a BAA in place with a vendor that handles PHI can lead to massive fines; one provider paid a $1.55 million settlement for exactly this failure. As of early 2026, penalties for willful neglect of HIPAA rules can exceed $2.1 million per year.

The prompts in this article are designed to be used with de-identified or fictional information for tasks like marketing, creating templates, and brainstorming general educational content. For tasks that *must* involve PHI, such as transcribing session notes, you need a dedicated, HIPAA-compliant AI tool.

8 AI Prompts for Practice Marketing & Administration (PHI-Safe)

This is where general-purpose AI shines. It can act as a tireless marketing assistant, helping you reach potential clients without ever touching confidential data.

Prompt 01 Brainstorm Blog Post Topics
Act as a content strategist for a therapy practice that specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for young adults with anxiety. Generate a list of 10 compelling blog post titles that are SEO-friendly and address common pain points for this audience. For each title, provide a 2-sentence summary of the article's main takeaway.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 02 Draft a Professional Bio
Act as a professional copywriter. Write a 150-word professional bio for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) named "Dr. Alex Chen." The bio should be warm, approachable, and professional. Mention a specialization in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, 10+ years of experience, and a philosophy centered on creating a safe, non-judgmental space for connection and growth. The practice is located in "Denver, Colorado.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 03 Write Website Copy for a Specific Modality
Act as a web copywriter for a therapy practice. Write 300 words of copy for the "Our Approach" page, explaining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in simple, accessible terms. Avoid clinical jargon. Focus on the core concepts: the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and how CBT helps clients identify and change unhelpful patterns. Use a hopeful and empowering tone.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 04 Generate Social Media Content Ideas
Act as a social media manager for a solo practitioner specializing in perinatal mental health. Create a one-week content plan for Instagram. Include 3 post ideas (image suggestion + caption), 2 Reel ideas (concept + key talking points), and 2 Story ideas (e.g., a poll, a Q&A). The tone should be supportive, informative, and community-focused.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 05 Create a Newsletter Outline
Act as an email marketing specialist. Outline a monthly newsletter for a therapy practice focused on stress and burnout for working professionals. The outline should include a short personal note, a main article (suggest 3 possible topics), a practical tip or exercise, a link to a relevant external resource (like a book or podcast), and a clear call-to-action to book a consultation.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 06 Draft a Generalized Response to a Negative Review
Act as a reputation management expert for healthcare providers. A fictional practice received a 1-star Google review saying, "Scheduling was a nightmare and I felt unheard." Draft a professional, empathetic, and HIPAA-compliant public response. The response must NOT acknowledge the person was a client. It should express regret that someone had a negative experience, state the practice's commitment to client care, and provide an offline contact method (like a phone number or email for the practice manager) to discuss the matter privately.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 07 Write a Job Description
Act as a hiring manager for a growing group practice. Write a job description for a "Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or LCSW." The practice values a collaborative, trauma-informed approach. The description should include responsibilities (caseload, notes, team meetings), qualifications (licensure, 2+ years experience, specific modality training preferred), and a section on the practice's culture and benefits (supervision, CEU stipend, flexible scheduling).
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 08 Script a Discovery Call Voicemail
Act as a front-office administrator. A potential client called and left a message requesting information. Write a 45-second voicemail script to return their call. The script should be welcoming, confirm you are returning their call for information about the practice, state the practice's main specializations (e.g., "anxiety and trauma"), and provide the best times to connect for a free 15-minute consultation.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini

6 AI Prompts for Client Psychoeducation Handouts

Creating clear, helpful resources for clients is a powerful part of therapy. AI can help you draft these materials quickly. Remember to always review and edit the output to ensure it aligns with your clinical approach and standards.

Prompt 09 Explain the CBT Triangle
Act as a therapist explaining a core concept to a client. Create a one-page handout explaining the "Cognitive Triangle" (or "CBT Triangle"). Use simple, non-clinical language. Include a clear diagram using text placeholders (e.g., "[Diagram: Triangle with 'Thoughts', 'Feelings', 'Behaviors' at each point]"). Provide a relatable example, like the thought "I'm going to fail this presentation," and trace it through the model.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 10 Create a Grounding Techniques Worksheet
Act as a specialist in somatic therapy. Draft a worksheet titled "5 Grounding Techniques for Moments of Panic or Overwhelm." For each technique (e.g., 5-4-3-2-1 method, holding a cold object, deep breathing), provide a 3-step, easy-to-follow instruction set. The tone should be calm and directive.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 11 Simplify the Phases of EMDR
Act as an EMDR-trained therapist. A client is new to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is nervous about the process. Write a 400-word handout that explains the 8 phases of EMDR in simple, reassuring terms. Focus on the *purpose* of each phase (e.g., "Phase 1: History-Taking and Treatment Planning - This is where we get to know you and map out the journey ahead").
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 12 Build a Cognitive Distortions Worksheet
Act as a CBT therapist. Create a worksheet to help clients identify cognitive distortions. The worksheet should list 10 common distortions (e.g., All-or-Nothing Thinking, Overgeneralization, Catastrophizing). For each distortion, provide a 1-sentence definition and then a three-column table for the client to fill out: | Situation | My Automatic Thought | The Distortion & A More Balanced Thought |.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 13 List Journaling Prompts for Self-Esteem
Act as a narrative therapist. Generate a list of 15 journaling prompts designed to foster self-compassion and build self-esteem. The prompts should be open-ended and encouraging. Examples could include: "Write about a time you were proud of how you handled a difficult situation," or "Describe a compliment you received that was hard to accept, and explore why.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 14 Explain the Window of Tolerance
Act as an expert in trauma-informed care. Create a simple, visual explanation of the "Window of Tolerance" for a psychoeducational handout. Describe the three zones: hyper-arousal (fight/flight), hypo-arousal (freeze/shutdown), and the optimal window. Use metaphors (like a river and its banks) to make the concept understandable. Include a list of 5 activities that can help someone return to their window.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini

5 AI Prompts for Treatment Plan Structures (Templates Only)

CRITICAL WARNING: This section is for creating blank templates and brainstorming de-identified structures. Never enter information about a specific client to generate their treatment plan. The clinician’s judgment is irreplaceable.

Prompt 15 Create a SMART Goal Template
Act as a clinical supervisor teaching a new therapist about treatment planning. Create a template for writing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for a treatment plan. Provide a clear structure with prompts for each section. Include a "bad" example (e.g., "Client will feel less anxious") and a "good" example (e.g., "Within 8 weeks, the client will use one grounding technique during a self-reported panic attack at least 50% of the time, as tracked in a weekly journal").
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 16 Draft a Fictional Plan Outline
Act as a therapist designing a sample treatment plan for your website. Create a treatment plan outline for a *fictional* 35-year-old male client presenting with symptoms of social anxiety. The plan should be de-identified and for illustrative purposes only. Include: 1) Presenting Problem, 2) 3 Problem Areas (e.g., "Avoidance of Social Situations"), 3) 3 Goals (in SMART format), and 4) 3-4 potential interventions (e.g., "Psychoeducation on social anxiety," "Cognitive restructuring of anxious thoughts," "In-vivo exposure hierarchy").
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 17 List Common Interventions for Depression
Act as a clinical resource database. Generate a categorized list of common evidence-based interventions for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Organize them by therapeutic modality. Categories should include: Behavioral Activation, Cognitive Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). List 3-4 specific interventions under each.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 18 Generate a Crisis Safety Plan Template
Act as a specialist in suicide prevention. Create a blank, client-facing template for a Crisis Safety Plan. The template should be structured, easy to fill out, and use simple, direct language. Include the following sections: 1) My Warning Signs, 2) My Internal Coping Strategies, 3) People & Social Settings that Provide Distraction, 4) People I Can Ask for Help, 5) Professionals or Agencies I Can Contact in a Crisis, 6) Making the Environment Safe.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 19 Outline a Session-to-Session Goal Tracker
Act as a therapist who values measurement-based care. Design a simple, one-page session-to-session goal tracking template that a client can use. The template should have space for the date, the main goal for the week (linked to the treatment plan), a 1-10 scale for rating progress, a section for "What went well?", a section for "What was challenging?", and a space for "Goal for next week.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini

6 Documentation-Adjacent Prompts (Bridge to Compliant Tools)

This is the transition zone. The prompts below can help you refine your own de-identified notes or practice formatting, but they demonstrate the limits of general-purpose AI. Once you are working with real session content—even just audio you plan to dictate from—you have crossed into PHI territory and must switch to a HIPAA-compliant tool.

Platforms like CompliantChatGPT or BastionGPT are designed to provide a secure, BAA-backed environment for these more sensitive tasks. For full ambient scribing (AI listens to the session and writes the note), tools like Mentalyc or Upheal are the standard.

Use these prompts in a standard tool like Claude only with completely fictional, de-identified text for practice.

Prompt 20 Reformat Text into DAP Note Structure
**Instructions:** Take the following de-identified, fictional paragraph and reformat it into a standard DAP (Data, Assessment, Plan) note.
**[Paste your completely de-identified and fictional paragraph here. Example: "The fictional client discussed feeling overwhelmed at work. They reported difficulty sleeping 3 nights this week. They explored the thought 'I can't handle this pressure.' We practiced a 3-minute breathing exercise, and they reported feeling calmer afterward. We will explore cognitive distortions related to work stress next week."**]
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 21 Make De-Identified Notes More Concise
**Instructions:** Review the following de-identified and fictional progress note text. Shorten it by 30% while retaining the core clinical information and objective tone.
[Paste your fictional, de-identified text here.]
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 22 Check for Biased Language (Fictional Text)
**Instructions:** Act as a clinical supervisor reviewing a note for objectivity. Read the following fictional, de-identified text and identify any words or phrases that are subjective, judgmental, or not clinically objective. Suggest more neutral alternatives.
**[Paste your fictional, de-identified text here. Example: "The client was being dramatic about the conflict with their partner and clearly wasn't trying the communication skills we discussed."**]
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 23 Generate Clarifying Questions
**Instructions:** Based on this vague, de-identified, and fictional client statement, generate a list of 5 open-ended, therapeutically useful clarifying questions a therapist might ask.
**Fictional Statement: "I don't know, I just feel really weird and off lately."**
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 24 Create a Biopsychosocial Assessment Checklist
**Instructions:** Act as a clinical educator. Create a comprehensive checklist of topics to cover in a biopsychosocial assessment interview. Organize the list into three sections: Biological Factors, Psychological Factors, and Social/Environmental Factors. This is for use as a personal guide, not to be filled out by AI.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini
Prompt 25 Translate Clinical Jargon into Client-Friendly Language
**Instructions:** Take the following clinical sentence and rewrite it in three different, simpler ways that a client could easily understand.
**Clinical Sentence: "The treatment will focus on upregulating the parasympathetic nervous system and addressing cognitive distortions that perpetuate the anxiety cycle."**
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini

How to Write Your Own Effective AI Prompts

The key to getting great results from an LLM is to provide clear, structured instructions. A simple and effective framework is Role, Task, Context, Format (RTCF).

Prompt 26 Example of a Well-Structured Prompt
**Role:** Act as a compassionate therapist specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
**Task:** Write a 500-word psychoeducational handout for an adult client.
**Context:** The handout should explain the concept of 'cognitive defusion' in simple, relatable terms. The goal is to help the client understand that they are not their thoughts. Use a metaphor (like 'thoughts are like clouds in the sky'). Avoid clinical jargon.
**Format:** The output should be a single piece of text, formatted with a main heading and at least two subheadings. Include one practical exercise the client can try.
Tested on Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini

The Ethics of AI in Therapy: A Quick Primer

Using AI prompts for administrative and creative work is one thing, but the broader role of AI in mental health requires caution. The therapeutic relationship is uniquely human, built on trust, empathy, and nuanced understanding—qualities AI cannot replicate.

A 2026 survey from the American Psychological Association found that clinicians have significant reservations.

94% of psychologists

surveyed said today’s chatbots cannot treat mental health conditions with the appropriate level of nuance. Source: apa.org

Furthermore, 97% of psychologists worried that chatbots might inadvertently reinforce a patient’s harmful beliefs or behaviors. This highlights the core responsibility of the clinician: you are the expert, the guardian of the clinical space, and ultimately responsible for every aspect of your client’s care. AI is a tool, not a colleague.

When considering any AI tool, always prioritize informed consent, data privacy, and your own clinical judgment. For a deeper dive into AI tools and workflows, visit our AI in Mental Health profession hub.

Is it ethical for therapists to use ChatGPT?

It depends on the task. It is unethical and a HIPAA violation to enter any client-identifying information (PHI) into a public tool like ChatGPT. However, using it for non-clinical, de-identified tasks like drafting blog posts, creating administrative templates, or brainstorming psychoeducational content is generally considered acceptable and can be a major time-saver.

Can AI help with therapy notes?

Yes, but only with the right tool. AI can draft SOAP, DAP, or other progress notes from session audio or a dictated summary. This requires a specialized, HIPAA-compliant AI scribe tool that provides a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Using standard ChatGPT for this purpose is a HIPAA violation.

What are the limitations of AI in therapy?

AI lacks true empathy, consciousness, and the ability to understand non-verbal cues or the nuances of the human experience. A 2026 APA survey found 94% of psychologists believe AI cannot handle complex conditions appropriately. AI should be seen as a tool for administrative efficiency, not a replacement for clinical judgment or the therapeutic relationship.

How do you use ChatGPT for CBT?

You can use ChatGPT to create templates and general educational materials related to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). For example, you can ask it to create a blank worksheet for identifying cognitive distortions, explain the CBT triangle in simple terms, or generate a list of behavioral activation ideas for a fictional client with depression.

Will AI replace therapists?

No. While AI will automate certain administrative tasks like note-taking and scheduling, it cannot replace the core of therapy: the human relationship. A 2026 survey found that while many psychologists see AI’s potential to make them more effective, only 24% believe patients will one day prefer chatbots to human therapists. AI is a tool to augment, not replace, the clinician.

What is the best AI for mental health?

The “best” AI depends on the specific need. For PHI-safe administrative and creative prompts, general tools like Claude or ChatGPT work well. For clinical documentation that involves PHI, you need a HIPAA-compliant scribe like Mentalyc or Upheal. For automating front-office tasks like scheduling and intake, tools like Mend or Solum Health are options.

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This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Facts, product details, and figures were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may have changed since. Zekai is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with the companies mentioned. Spotted an error? See our Corrections & Removal Policy.
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