AI Prompts for Therapists

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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").

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 |.

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.

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.

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").

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").

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.

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.

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.

**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."**]

**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.]]

**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."**]

**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."**

**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.

**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."**

**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.

1. "Act as a marketing consultant for a therapy practice specializing in anxiety for young adults. Generate 5 blog post ideas that are empathetic, informative, and avoid clinical jargon." 2. "Write a 150-word description for a new 8-week group therapy program on 'Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout'. The tone should be welcoming and professional." 3. "Create a professional email template to send to former clients, inviting them to a free webinar on maintaining mental wellness during career transitions. The email should be warm and respectful of their privacy." 4. "List 10 frequently asked questions a potential client might have about starting therapy for the first time. For each question, draft a brief, reassuring answer for a practice's website FAQ page." 5. "Draft a short script for a 60-second Instagram Reel explaining the difference between stress and anxiety in simple, relatable terms.

6. "Act as a mental health educator. Create a one-page handout for a client explaining the 'Cognitive Triangle' (thoughts, feelings, behaviors). Use a simple analogy and provide a blank template for them to fill out." 7. "Generate a list of 10 grounding techniques for moments of high anxiety. For each technique, provide a 1-2 sentence instruction. The language should be clear and easy to follow in a moment of distress." 8. "Create a 'sleep hygiene' checklist for a client struggling with insomnia. Include 8-10 actionable tips for improving sleep habits. Frame it as a supportive experiment, not a rigid set of rules." 9. "Explain the concept of 'SMART goals' (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) in the context of mental health. Provide a fictional example of a vague goal turned into a SMART goal." 10. "Draft a simple worksheet to help a client practice identifying cognitive distortions. List 5 common distortions (e.g., black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing) with a brief definition and an empty column for the client to write their own examples.

11. "Act as a clinical supervisor. I'm working with a *fictional client* who presents with symptoms of social anxiety and perfectionism. Based on a CBT framework, what are 3 potential treatment interventions I could consider exploring?" 12. "Summarize the key principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in 300 words, written for a professional audience. Highlight the six core processes." 13. "Generate a list of 5 potential topics for a continuing education workshop for therapists on the topic of 'Ethical Use of AI in Private Practice'. For each topic, list 3 key learning objectives." 14. "I am preparing a presentation on attachment theory. Create a table comparing and contrasting the four main attachment styles in adults (Secure, Anxious-Preoccupied, Dismissive-Avoidant, Fearful-Avoidant)." 15. "Using a *completely de-identified and hypothetical* scenario, create a sample DAP note structure. The scenario involves a client making progress on exposure therapy for a specific phobia. Do not include any real details.

Act as a clinical supervisor. I am drafting a treatment plan for a hypothetical adult client struggling with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The client is a 30-year-old male working in a high-stress tech job. He has no history of substance abuse or major medical issues. His primary goals are to reduce daily worry, improve sleep, and feel more present in his relationships. Based on a standard CBT model for GAD, please generate a template with 3 problem areas, 3 corresponding long-term goals, 3 short-term objectives for each goal, and 3 potential interventions for each objective. Use the SMART goal format. Do not include any client names or identifying details.

Act as a clinical practice consultant for a solo therapist. Draft a comprehensive social media policy for my private practice's informed consent document. The policy should clearly state that I cannot accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any personal social networking sites (like Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) to protect confidentiality and maintain a professional boundary. It should also explain that followers on my professional page are not a substitute for therapy and that I cannot engage in clinical discussions via comments or direct messages.

Act as a therapist creating a psychoeducational handout for clients. Explain the concept of the "Cognitive Triangle" from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Describe the three points (Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors) and how they influence each other. Provide a simple, relatable, and de-identified example (e.g., related to procrastinating on a work task, not a specific clinical case). Keep the language in the second person ("You might notice...") and the tone supportive and clear.

Act as a licensed mental health counselor. Create a one-page psychoeducational handout for an adult client on the "Cognitive Triangle," explaining the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Use simple, accessible language and include a blank diagram the client can fill out. Do not use any real client information.