This is a submission for the World's Largest Hackathon Writing Challenge: Beyond the Code.
Beyond the Code. Why Building a Comprehensive Therapy Match Tool Matters
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all, and it never has been.
The therapeutic process isn’t just about which modality you use, but who you do it with, and how it’s delivered. The relationship between client and therapist can shape the entire outcome. Fit matters. Timing matters. So does trust.
In the UK especially, when someone tells their GP they’re struggling with anxiety or depression, the most common referral is for CBT.
Now, CBT is an incredibly effective and well-researched approach, but it’s not right for all people and all problems, all the time. And even within CBT, there are many different forms and adaptations. When it’s offered in a rigid, one-size-fits-all way, it can feel invalidating or unhelpful for some.
People deserve more than that.
They deserve options, information, and agency.
Should We Be Concerned That People Are Using ChatGPT as a Therapist?
I built MindFLTR because too many people are left guessing, when it comes to seeking the right mental health and wellbeing support:
- Guessing what type of therapy they need.
- Guessing if it’s normal to feel unheard or disconnected.
- Guessing if they should even bother trying again.
And in the meantime, many are turning to AI.
Whether people think it's a good idea or not. ChatGPT is already being used as a makeshift therapist.
Just spend a few minutes scanning the Reddit threads, or ask people IRL, you’ll see it, it's happening.
Some are using ChatGPT to talk through their thoughts, manage crises, or simulate support.
You could write this off as a sign of the times, you could even think it's a bad idea; the point is it's happening, and I think we should ask why.
- Therapy can be expensive
- Waiting lists are long
- People have been burned by bad experiences
- Many simply don’t know where to start
- Some people have given up on trying to be understood by other people.
So they turn to what feels safe, immediate, and accessible.
Reframing the AI-as-Therapist Debate
Instead of getting stuck debating whether people should use ChatGPT as a therapist, I think we need to shift the conversation.
People are already doing it, and that tells us something. Rather than dismissing it, we should be asking how we can innovate in this space. How can we design human–AI interactions that are safer, more transparent, and actually point people in the right direction?
I don’t believe AI can, or should, replace human connection.
Real therapists, coaches, and mental health professionals are irreplaceable. But that doesn’t mean AI has no place here. Used wisely, it can support reflection, offer structure, and help people feel less alone when other support isn’t accessible.
We shouldn’t miss that opportunity.
Why I Built MindFLTR and Why it Matters
MindFLTR is not trying to replace therapy. But it is trying to meet people earlier in the journey.
Because there’s a lot we can do before that first session.
We can help people clarify what they want and need.
We can help them understand the range of options.
We can support them to walk into therapy with language, goals, and self-awareness, not just confusion and overwhelm.
That way, the therapy journey doesn’t have to start with four sessions of backstory.
It can start with traction. With alignment. With support that fits.
MindFLTR is my small contribution to that future.
MindFLTR in a Nutshell
MindFLTR isn’t a therapist, but it might help you find one that fits.
MindFLTR is a quiz-based web app that helps people explore which type of therapy might suit them best.
Users answer multiple-choice questions about how they think, feel, and respond to life scenarios. Behind the scenes, a custom scoring algorithm maps each answer to seven evidence-based therapy types. Scores are then normalised into percentage matches.
After completing the quiz, users receive:
- A ranked list of their top three therapy matches
- A personalised AI-generated summary of their best-fit therapy, written in a warm, encouraging tone
- A downloadable report to save or reflect on later
- The option to sign up via email for future updates
The quiz logic is also built with neuro-inclusivity in mind.
MindFLTR is designed to take the guesswork out of therapy discovery, offering a clearer, more empowering way to start your mental health journey.
MindFLTR Beyond the Code
My hope for MindFLTR is that it becomes a launchpad - a tool that nudges people to look beyond the usual therapy options and consider the wider landscape of support that exists.
There’s so much more out there than traditional talk therapy, and I’d love to see MindFLTR evolve to include more unconventional and cutting-edge approaches — things like movement-based therapies, nature-connected practices, and even VR-supported experiences as those spaces continue to grow.
The vision is to make that broader ecosystem more visible, accessible, and less intimidating to explore.
Right now, I’m proud to have made a start. I'm incredibly grateful to the Bolt hackathon team and their partners/ sponsors for providing the tools for me to build MindFLTR. It’s been a springboard in more ways than one.
I have continued to develop MindFLTR beyond the initial build and idea.
However, you can see a demo of the earliest version that was submitted to The World's Largest Hackathon below.
MindFLTR Demo:
By Sola Janet Browne
Top comments (1)
Love this Idea. I don’t think most people are aware of the options available to them when it comes to therapy. Or how important it is to find the right therapist for their personal needs. This would make it so much easier for people to find the support they need.