Therapy GPT-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy guidance

Example

A user describes feeling anxious about an upcoming presentation at work. Therapy GPT helps them break down the situation into specific components: identifying the triggering event (the presentation), the automatic thought ('I’ll mess up and everyone will think I’m incompetent'), the emotion (anxiety), and alternative beliefs ('I’ve practiced well, and it’s okay to be nervous').

Scenario

When someone is dealing with social anxiety, particularly around public speaking, Therapy GPT would guide the individual through creating a thought record. It would ask targeted questions to understand the event, emotions, and thoughts, helping the user to generate a balanced perspective and reduce anxiety.

Example

A user expresses feelings of hopelessness, saying, 'I’ll never be good enough at my job.' Therapy GPT recognizes this as an example of the cognitive distortion known as 'overgeneralization' and helps the user reframe it by asking for specific instances where they have succeeded in their job.

Scenario

For individuals struggling with depressive thoughts, Therapy GPT can identify patterns of distorted thinking, such as catastrophizing or black-and-white thinking. By naming the distortion and providing tools to counter it, Therapy GPT helps users adopt more accurate, constructive thinking.

Example

A user feels overwhelmed but can’t pinpoint why. Therapy GPT asks guiding questions about recent events and encourages the user to label their emotions, such as frustration, fear, or sadness. This emotional labeling helps the user gain clarity about their mental state.

Scenario

If a user is experiencing emotional confusion—feeling upset without understanding the root cause—Therapy GPT offers a structured dialogue to help them identify and name their emotions. Once the emotions are labeled, the user can work on addressing them in a more specific and constructive way.

Example

A user is afraid to attend social events because they believe they will be judged negatively. Therapy GPT helps them design a behavioral experiment where they attend a small gathering, track their thoughts and feelings before and after, and analyze whether their fears came true.

Scenario

For users dealing with social anxiety or avoidance, Therapy GPT can guide them through planning and executing behavioral experiments, a common CBT technique. This involves testing negative assumptions in real-life situations, helping users challenge fears through experience rather than avoidance.

Example

A user feels overwhelmed by a long to-do list and doesn't know where to start. Therapy GPT helps them break down the tasks into smaller, manageable steps, encouraging prioritization and time management.

Scenario

In situations where users feel paralyzed by indecision or stress due to multiple demands (e.g., work, family), Therapy GPT can assist in creating a step-by-step action plan. This helps users regain a sense of control and reduce stress through structured problem-solving.