Using ChatGPT to Find the Best Therapy for Your Needs

When searching for a therapist while feeling overwhelmed and walking that tight rope, it can be hard to discern what you truly need from therapy. Therapy styles and therapist qualities vary widely, and if you've tried therapy before and felt that it "didn't work," you might assume therapy isn’t for you.

I managed a busy yoga studio for many years, offering over 60 classes a week. Often, people would tell me, “My doctor recommended yoga, but I tried it, and I didn’t like it.” My response was always the same: Yoga isn’t one thing, done one way. There are many styles—hot yoga, power yoga, gentle yoga, restorative yoga, and more. Therapy is similar. There isn’t one approach that works for everyone.

So, how do you figure out what you need—beyond just finding a therapist?

Identify What You’re Experiencing and Why You’re Seeking Therapy

You don’t need to be an expert in therapy modalities, but it helps to have a clear understanding of what you’re experiencing and how it’s affecting your daily life. If you have an idea of why you may be feeling this way, that’s great—but not necessary. That’s what therapy is for.

Explore Therapy Styles That Align With Your Needs

Since there are so many types of therapy, you’ll want to narrow down your search based on your specific symptoms or concerns. One way to do this is by asking ChatGPT:

"What types of therapy are best for treating [your symptom or condition] and why?"

For example, if you're experiencing PTSD symptoms, you might ask:

"What are the top 5 evidence-based therapies for PTSD?"

Once you have a shortlist of therapy types, you can ask for more details on the ones that sound like a good fit.

Find Therapists Who Specialize in Your Preferred Therapy

Most therapists receive specialized training beyond their Master’s degree. Modalities like EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), DBT, CBT, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy require significant training and certification.

For instance, I am not trained in DBT. If a client could benefit from DBT, I refer them to an experienced DBT therapist I know. On the other hand, I have spent over 10 years training in and practicing EMDR. While I don’t consider myself an expert, I have extensive experience using EMDR protocols.

Once you've identified a therapy type that interests you, ask:

"What training is required to become a [therapy type] therapist?"

This will help you find professionals with the right qualifications.

Where to Find a Qualified Therapist

The best way to find a therapist is through organizations that certify and train professionals in specific therapy models. You can use ChatGPT to help by asking:

"I am interested in finding a therapist who specializes in [type of therapy]. Can you provide links to organizations that certify or train therapists in this model and their 'find a therapist' directories? I am located in [Town, State]. Also, list local therapist directories."

Most professional organizations have therapist directories. For example, the EMDR International Association provides a searchable list of EMDR-trained providers by location. Other general directories, like Psychology Today, allow you to filter results by therapy type, location, and insurance coverage.

Now that you have a clearer idea of the therapy style that suits you, the next step is reaching out to potential therapists to find the right fit. Stay tuned for Part 3 of my How to Find a Therapist series, where I’ll guide you through that process.