AI Snippets 101: How Therapists Can Earn a Spot in Google’s “AI Overview”
If you’ve Googled anything lately, especially a therapy-related question, you might’ve noticed something new at the top of the page. What was once the coveted top search result has been replaced with an AI-generated summary box called the Google AI Overview.
(Keep in mind, this blog is being written in October 2025, and Google changes more than a Broadway actress playing all the parts.)
It’s part of Google’s most significant search shift in over a decade. Instead of just pulling links, Google now uses AI to summarize information from multiple trusted sources into one quick answer.
As a mental health copywriter who helps therapists improve their SEO and visibility, I’ve seen how minor technical tweaks, like schema and author bios, can make a huge difference in traffic and trust. These small behind-the-scenes updates are the difference between therapists staying invisible on page seven and showing up right where their ideal clients are searching.
For therapists, that’s both exciting and a little intimidating. Because if your website isn’t structured in a way AI can understand and quote, you might get left out of the new digital conversation entirely.
The good news? You can absolutely earn a spot in that overview. You just need to know how to speak Google’s new language: one built on clarity, structure, and trust.
What Is Google’s “AI Overview,” and Why Does It Matter for Therapists?
The AI Overview (sometimes called “AI snippets” or “Search Generative Experience”) is Google’s way of giving users fast, conversational answers.
Instead of showing ten blue links, it pulls summarized content from high-quality websites, highlighting sources that meet Google’s E-E-A-T standards:
Experience
Expertise
Authoritativeness
Trustworthiness
Psst — I wrote a full guide on Google’s E-E-A-T, Entities, and AI SEO: What Every Therapist Needs to Know if you’d like a refresher.”
That means if you’re a licensed mental health professional sharing accurate, compassionate, and well-structured information online, you already have an advantage. You just need to format your content so Google—and its AI—can clearly identify your expertise.
How AI Decides What to Feature
Google’s AI models don’t read like humans. They scan, categorize, and cross-reference information from across the web. Here’s what helps your content rise to the top:
Clear structure. Use descriptive headers (H2s and H3s) that mirror real-world questions clients type, like “What are the signs of anxiety?” or “How does EMDR therapy work?”
Concise answers. Write short, factual responses under those headers, around 40–60 words. That’s the sweet spot for AI snippets.
Accurate schema markup. Schema is behind-the-scenes code that tells Google what each part of your page means. (Don’t be afraid, I’ll explain this.)
Strong author signals. Include your name, credentials, and bio on every blog post. It helps Google confirm your authority. (Surprise! I wrote another blog about this: Why Every Therapy Blog Needs an Author Bio (and How to Write One).
Readable, human tone. AI models prefer natural text, client-friendly, and free of jargon—exactly what your future clients prefer, too.
How to Format Content for AI Snippets
Think of AI snippets as the “featured snippets” of the next generation. Instead of just highlighting one line, Google’s AI pulls from the best-structured content across several pages.
To help it find you:
Use question-based headings.
Keep answers short and precise.
Include examples or client-friendly explanations.
Add FAQs with clear, conversational answers.
Use structured data (schema) to label those FAQs.
Real Talk: What Structured Data Actually Does
Structured data doesn’t change what visitors see—it tells Google what it’s looking at.
For example, when you mark up a section as “FAQPage,” Google knows those questions and answers can be used for AI snippets, rich results, or even voice search.
If you don’t include schema, Google can still guess—but it’s far less likely to feature your content in an AI Overview.
In other words, schema is your website’s way of raising its hand and saying, “Hey, Google, this part’s important!”
Structured Data Example: Therapist Website FAQ Section for AI Snippets
Here’s a short example you can copy and paste (or tweak for your own therapy site):
FAQs About Therapy
Q: How long does therapy usually take?
A: The length of therapy depends on your goals and concerns. Some people find relief after a few months, while others benefit from ongoing support. We’ll discuss what feels right for you during our first session.
Q: Do you offer online therapy?
A: Yes. I provide secure online sessions for clients throughout [state/region]. Virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions, offering flexibility and comfort from your own space.
Q: What issues do you specialize in?
A: I specialize in anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. My approach blends evidence-based methods like EMDR and CBT with a warm, relational style focused on healing and growth.
Q: How do I get started?
A: You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation through my contact form. We’ll talk about your goals and see if working together feels like a good fit.
And Here’s the Matching Schema Markup (I told ya I’d discuss this!)
I know, schema markup sounds alien to many of us. I, too, had to learn about it for my website. But because Google and AI are running the show about which websites will be featured, it’s crucial to include it on the backend of your website.
Don’t be afraid! When in doubt, Google it. You’ll find how-tos for sure.
Here goes:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How long does therapy usually take?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "The length of therapy depends on your goals and concerns. Some people find relief after a few months, while others benefit from ongoing support."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Do you offer online therapy?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Yes. I provide secure online sessions for clients throughout [state/region]. Virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What issues do you specialize in?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "I specialize in anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. My approach blends evidence-based methods like EMDR and CBT with a warm, relational style."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How do I get started?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation through my contact form."
}
}
]
}
</script>
✅ Paste this ⬆️ at the bottom of your page’s HTML (just before </body>).
✅ Update your location, services, and phrasing as needed.
✅ Then test it using Google’s Rich Results Test or Schema Markup Validator to make sure it’s working.
What This Means for Therapist SEO
Google’s AI Overview rewards clarity, consistency, and credibility. If your site already follows E-E-A-T principles, meaning you’re showing your real credentials, using client-friendly language, and publishing useful blogs, you’re 80% there.
The other 20% comes down to technical SEO:
Adding schema
Structuring your content for quick answers
Keeping your site updated and secure (HTTPS)
Linking between related pages so Google can understand your expertise
With those pieces in place, your content is far more likely to appear in AI summaries, rich snippets, and other trust-based search features.
Remember: It’s Not About Gaming the System
AI SEO isn’t about tricking algorithms. It’s about communicating clearly enough that Google understands what you already know and understands that your work is credible, compassionate, and worth sharing.
When your site uses structured data and strong E-E-A-T signals, you’re not just boosting visibility. You’re helping more people find reliable, empathetic mental health information online.
That’s good for your practice. And honestly? It’s good for the internet.
Final Thoughts: Be the Source AI Trusts
Here’s the takeaway: AI search isn’t replacing websites. It’s reshaping how people find them.
By writing clear, human-centered content and using simple technical tools like schema markup, you can position your practice as a trusted voice in the AI era.
And if you’d rather not wrestle with the code yourself? That’s what I’m here for.
I help therapists turn their websites into trusted, AI-ready spaces built on empathy, expertise, and search strategy because the right words (and structure) can make all the difference.
🖋️ Ready to future-proof your website? Let’s talk.
FAQs About AI Snippets and Therapist SEO (See, I do it too!)
These quick answers can help you understand how AI Overviews work, and model how you can use FAQ schema on your own website.
Q: What is Google’s AI Overview?
A: Google’s AI Overview is an AI-generated summary that appears at the top of search results. It pulls trusted information from multiple websites to give users a quick, accurate answer—and often links back to those sources for deeper reading.
Q: How can therapists show up in Google’s AI Overview?
A: To appear in Google’s AI Overview, therapists need clear structure, concise answers, and strong E-E-A-T signals. Use schema markup, add FAQs, and write conversational, client-friendly content that demonstrates expertise and trust.
Q: What’s the difference between featured snippets and AI Overviews?
A: Featured snippets show one answer box from a single source. AI Overviews use artificial intelligence to summarize key points from multiple credible websites, providing a broader, AI-generated answer while citing trustworthy sources.
Q: Do therapists need schema markup for SEO?
A: Yes. Schema markup helps Google understand your website’s structure and expertise. It improves visibility in search results, featured snippets, and AI summaries—especially for therapy-related content that requires trust and accuracy.
This post is part of my Therapist Marketing Series: practical SEO and copywriting tips to help your practice grow with confidence (and without the cringe).
Suzanne Griffin is a mental health copywriter who helps therapists, group practices, and wellness providers across the US and Canada find the right words to reach the people who need them most. With nearly a decade of professional writing experience, she blends strategy, SEO, and empathy to craft content that builds trust with both clients and Google. Passionate about reducing stigma and translating clinical expertise into client-friendly content, Suzanne ensures therapists’ voices shine online. Based in Orlando, Florida, she can usually be found with her nose in a book, snuggling with her dog and cats, or brainstorming her next blog idea.
