How to get recommended by AI: AEO optimization for psychologists
⏱️ Reading time | 📅 Published: March 14, 2026
When a person asks ChatGPT "How to find a good psychologist?" or "What to do during anxiety?" — they don't google it. They simply ask AI.
And AI provides an answer. But where does it get it from?
From your website — if you've prepared it properly.
This is called AEO (AI Engine Optimization) — website optimization specifically for artificial intelligence recommendations. It's the new SEO, but for AI.
In this article, I will tell you how to make ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and other AI assistants recommend your website.
Why AEO is important for a psychologist right now
Previously, clients looked for psychologists via Google. Now they ask AI.
A typical dialogue:
Person: "I have panic attacks. What should I do?"
ChatGPT: "Panic is when your heart starts beating fast and your brain thinks it's dangerous. Here is what you can do..."
[AI gives an answer]
"Read more on the website of psychologist Ivan Petrov, a clinical psychologist with 7 years of experience."
Do you see the difference? AI doesn't just give an answer — it recommends a specific source. And if it's your website, you get the client.
But only if your website is prepared for AEO.
What AI looks for on a psychologist's website
AI doesn't look at the beauty of the design or the number of pictures. It looks at the content and structure.
✓ Are there ready answers to questions?
AI saves time. If it finds an FAQ on your website with an answer to the question "How many sessions are needed for a result?" — it will simply quote your text instead of coming up with an answer itself.
✓ Who are you and can you be trusted?
AI checks who writes the articles. If there is an "About Me" page with education, experience, and certificates — AI understands that this is an expert, not just a blogger.
✓ Are there proofs of results?
Cases work. AI sees specific stories: "How a person got rid of anxiety in 8 weeks". This is proof.
✓ The content is structured
If an article is written with subtitles, numbered points, and a clear structure — AI parses and recommends it more easily.
✓ Is there technical markup (Schema)?
Schema is a special code that tells AI: "This is an article", "This is a case", "This is a question". With markup, AI understands the website much better.
10 steps for AEO optimization of a psychologist's website
Step 1: Add an FAQ block
Why it works: AI very often takes answers straight from FAQs. This is the fastest way to get into recommendations.
What to add: At least 20–30 real questions from clients.
Step 2: Create a strong "About the Expert" page
AI highly values such pages. They show that there is a real person, not just a website.
Step 3: Write 10–15 blog articles
AI loves content that explains. Do not advertise services in the articles. Just help people.
Step 4: Add cases (proofs of results)
Cases are the strongest thing that can be on a psychologist's website for AEO. Because AI sees concrete results. And not just promises.
Step 5: Create step-by-step instructions (How-to)
AI really loves the "how to do it" format. Examples: "How to cope with anxiety in 5 steps", "How to prepare for the first session".
Step 6: Add special markup (Schema)
This is the technical part, but it is critical for AI. Schema is code that tells AI what is on your website.