Looking for a ChatGPT Alternative?The HIPAA-Compliant Way.
ChatGPT stores your conversations and offers no BAA. Every time you describe a client, that data lives on OpenAI servers. Reframe generates personalized worksheets with zero data retention. Under 60 seconds. HIPAA-compliant by physics, not promises.
ChatGPT
"Data stored. No BAA. Not HIPAA compliant."
Reframe Practice
"Zero retention. BAA included. Safe for client data."
Privacy by architecture, not promises
What is a ChatGPT Alternative for Therapists?
A ChatGPT alternative for therapists is a HIPAA-compliant AI tool built specifically for clinical use. ChatGPT is powerful but stores conversations and lacks a Business Associate Agreement, making it unsuitable for use with client information. Alternatives include purpose-built tools like Reframe Practice (worksheets), Mentalyc (notes), and Upheal (transcription). The key difference: ChatGPT is general-purpose AI without healthcare compliance; therapy-specific tools offer zero data retention and BAA coverage.
Good. You should be skeptical of AI tools.
ChatGPT stores your conversations by default. Even with history disabled, data is retained for 30 days. Reframe is different: zero data retention (processed in memory, immediately discarded), built by a Registered Psychotherapist who still sees clients, and designed with HIPAA compliance as the foundation. You can safely include real client context without privacy anxiety.
HIPAA compliance vs. data risk
Why ChatGPT isn't safe for client information
Ready for worksheets that speak your client's language?
Try FreeWhy HIPAA-Compliant AI Matters: The Data
The research is clear on why purpose-built tools outperform general AI for therapy.
Higher homework completion with personalized materials vs. generic content
Kazantzis et al., 2016
Average time to generate a personalized worksheet with Reframe
Internal metrics
How long ChatGPT stores your data even with history disabled
OpenAI documentation
Client adherence when worksheets use their own language
Burns & Spangler, 2000
The Problem With Using ChatGPT for Therapy
ChatGPT is a powerful general-purpose AI tool. But for therapists working with client information, it creates serious compliance and privacy risks.
Data stored on servers
ChatGPT stores your conversations. Even with history disabled, data is retained for 30 days for safety monitoring. Client details live on OpenAI servers.
No BAA available
OpenAI does not offer a Business Associate Agreement for ChatGPT. Without a BAA, using ChatGPT with PHI violates HIPAA regulations.
Training on your data
Your conversations may be used for model training unless you explicitly opt out. Client information you enter could be used to improve AI models.
How Reframe Works
From client description to personalized PDF in under 60 seconds. Zero data retention. Full HIPAA compliance.
Describe Your Client
Share the presenting issue, their language patterns, key metaphors, and what you're working on. Data is processed in memory only.
Choose Your Modality
Select CBT, DBT, ACT, IFS, EFT, or Somatic. Adjust strictness from Eclectic to Strict adherence. The AI adapts to your clinical approach.
Generate and Export
Get a personalized PDF worksheet in seconds. Client's exact language woven throughout. Nothing leaves the room.
60 seconds. No credit card required.
Why Therapists Choose Reframe Over ChatGPT
Purpose-built for therapy. Designed for compliance. Here's what makes Reframe the right choice for client-facing AI.
HIPAA compliance you can trust
Zero-retention architecture means client descriptions are processed in memory and never stored. HIPAA-compliant by physics, not promises. BAA included.
No prompt engineering required
ChatGPT requires careful prompting to get useful output. Reframe is pre-configured for therapy: describe client, select modality, generate.
Clinical frameworks built in
CBT, DBT, ACT, IFS, EFT, and Somatic approaches. Set your modality strictness from Eclectic to Strict. The AI follows your clinical lead.
Ready-to-use PDF output
ChatGPT gives you raw text you have to format. Reframe generates print-ready PDFs with your branding. Send to clients via secure encrypted link.
What Therapists Are Saying
Hear from clinicians who switched from ChatGPT to a HIPAA-compliant solution.
I stopped using ChatGPT the moment I learned it stores everything. With Reframe, I can actually describe my clients without that pit in my stomach.
Psychologist, Private Practice
It's probably the way AI should be used in therapy: as an adjunct that multiplies your abilities. You look at the output and you with your professional eye approve it.
LMFT, Group Practice
No more prompt engineering. No more formatting raw text into worksheets. Describe, generate, done. And I know my client data isn't sitting on some server.
LCSW, Community Mental Health
ChatGPT vs. Reframe Practice: A Detailed Comparison for Therapists
Many therapists have experimented with ChatGPT for creating worksheets, session notes, or other clinical content. While ChatGPT is remarkably capable, it was built for general use, not healthcare compliance. Understanding the differences helps you make informed decisions about AI tools in your practice.
The HIPAA Problem with ChatGPT
HIPAA requires that any entity handling Protected Health Information (PHI) must either be a covered entity or sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). OpenAI does not offer a BAA for ChatGPT. This means using ChatGPT with any identifiable client information, even in de-identified form, creates compliance risk.
ChatGPT stores conversation data by default. Even when you disable chat history, OpenAI retains data for 30 days for safety monitoring purposes. This means anything you type into ChatGPT lives on their servers for at least a month, accessible to OpenAI employees and systems.
How Reframe Practice Achieves Compliance
Reframe Practice uses a zero-retention architecture. When you describe your client, that information is processed in memory only. It's sent to Google Vertex AI (which provides a BAA), the worksheet is generated, and the input is immediately discarded. Nothing is stored on any server, ever.
This is what we mean by "HIPAA-compliant by physics, not promises." There's no database of client descriptions to breach because no such database exists. The architecture makes data retention impossible, not just against policy.
Workflow Comparison
With ChatGPT, creating a therapy worksheet requires careful prompt engineering. You need to specify the therapeutic modality, the format you want, the level of clinical language, and then review and edit the output. You'll likely need multiple iterations to get something usable. Then you have to format it, add any branding, and convert it to PDF for sharing.
With Reframe, you describe your client in natural language, select your preferred modality and strictness level, and generate. The output is a formatted PDF with your practice branding, ready to use in session or send to clients via secure encrypted link. The entire process takes under 60 seconds.
When ChatGPT Makes Sense
ChatGPT is excellent for general research, brainstorming session approaches, or creating educational content that contains no client-specific information. If you're writing a blog post about anxiety management techniques or researching different therapeutic interventions, ChatGPT is a powerful tool.
When You Need Reframe
Any time you want to use AI with client-specific information, you need a HIPAA-compliant solution. Personalized worksheets using CBT or DBT frameworks, session guides that reference client history, homework assignments tailored to individual clients: these all require tools built for healthcare compliance from the ground up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ChatGPT alternative for therapists?
The best ChatGPT alternative for therapists depends on your needs. If you need HIPAA-compliant AI for creating personalized worksheets with zero data retention, Reframe Practice is the top choice. For general research without client data, ChatGPT works well.
Is ChatGPT HIPAA compliant for therapy?
No. ChatGPT is not HIPAA compliant. OpenAI stores conversation data and does not offer a Business Associate Agreement. Using ChatGPT with client information violates HIPAA.
Does ChatGPT store therapy conversations?
Yes. ChatGPT stores conversations by default. Even with history disabled, data is retained for 30 days. This creates HIPAA liability for therapists.
How much does Reframe cost compared to ChatGPT?
ChatGPT Plus costs $20/month. Reframe Practice costs $29/month for unlimited worksheets. Reframe costs more but includes HIPAA compliance, BAA, and purpose-built worksheet formatting.
Can I use ChatGPT if I don't include client names?
Even without names, detailed client descriptions can be identifying. HIPAA protects all PHI, not just names. The safer approach is using tools that don't store data at all.
What therapy modalities does Reframe support?
CBT, DBT, ACT, IFS, EFT, Somatic, and more. You can set modality strictness from Eclectic to Strict adherence.
How long does it take to create a worksheet?
Under 60 seconds with Reframe. Describe your client, select a modality, and generate. Compare to 15+ minutes of prompting and formatting with ChatGPT.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Reframe offers 10 free worksheets with no credit card required. Try it with a real client and see how HIPAA-compliant AI can work in your practice.
Built for therapists like you
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10 free worksheets. Under 60 seconds. Zero data retention. No credit card required.
Built by a Registered Psychotherapist | Zero Data Retention | HIPAA Compliant
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