Issue #004: Co-Thinking in a Crisis
I hope you never find yourself in the position I was in recently.
I had to talk someone in my world out of taking their own life.
It was one of those moments when the ground disappears under your feet.
One minute, you’re living your normal life; the next, you’re standing in the middle of a fabric store, getting an urgent call, knowing your words might shape whether they stay on this earth.
What helped them take a step toward life were two concepts I shared while silently sending a message to the universe to remind me of the most helpful things I could say.
Concept 1: The U-Shaped Curve
Here’s what I shared…
I know you’re feeling like you’re on a downward path straight to the bottom, but you’re not.
You’re on a U-shaped curve.
There’s a whole other part of this journey that goes up. You’re just at the bottom of the U.
Here’s an example of what I meant…
Concept 2: One Day at a Time (ODAT)
Here’s what I shared…
You’re worrying about problems that are out in the future. I know there’s a lot, and it feels daunting.
In recovery programs, there’s something called One Day at a Time.
Let’s just think about today. What’s your biggest pain point today?
They named it and made a crucial decision to alleviate it.
Thank goodness they’re now in the hands of capable professionals.
How I Added a Second Brain to My Thinking
In the middle of the ongoing chaos, as I was trying to stay regulated and clear, I found myself turning to something I’ve been finding extremely valuable lately in my learning, thinking and wellbeing:
Using AI as a co-thinking partner.
Not to replace judgment, wisdom, or clinical expertise — but to work together to help me navigate a complex crisis.
Before I say what we created together, I want to briefly mention a training I attended with Peter Lee, PhD, President of Research at Microsoft, whose work centers on responsible AI in healthcare.
Dr. Lee emphasized that when we problem-solve complex cases in healthcare, humans and AI together often make better decisions than either can alone, as demonstrated in the 2025 PNAS study, Human–AI Collectives Most Accurately Diagnose Clinical Vignettes.
The benefit comes from combining two different intelligences that compensate for each other’s blind spots.
This idea – co-thinking – is an exciting area of exploration currently in my life.
Co-Thinking with AI to Navigate Healthcare Decisions
Now let me share what AI helped me do that honestly, I could not have created alone.
Please note: This person and family are not therapy clients of mine.
Over the course of a week, AI and I built a kind of crisis support structure together:
- A step-by-step game plan and order of operations for the family, based on the world’s leading suicide-prevention and mental health protocols, adapted in real time.
- A Google doc for the family, including research-based recommendations on next steps and treatment options. AI also helped me recognize patterns that had been unfolding for months.
- A regulation plan for me, because secondary trauma is real.
- Identifying local programs, doctors and helping professionals on their insurance, so the family knew who to call and where to begin.
None of this removed all the human pain of the situation.
But it did create clarity when everything felt too complex to understand and organize.
And it gave me a knowledgeable second brain to lean on when mine felt overwhelmed.
AI expanded my capacity, especially during this high-stakes situation.
As Peter Lee outlined, it’s imperative for a human to be guiding AI and checking for accuracy, a concept known as “humans in the loop.” Having our two brains work together, co-thinking, was quite possibly life-saving.
Why I’m Sharing This With You
I’m sharing this because, frankly, I’m astounded by what AI and I were able to create together, and how helpful the family found it.
The family is now on the same page in terms of:
- What patterns are unfolding
- What the signs we’re observing likely mean
- What gold standard treatment looks like
- What kind of programs and supports are helpful
- Which local providers are covered on their insurance
Using AI in this way felt like having a team of expert health advocates at our disposal 24/7.
The Truth About Our Siloed Healthcare System
Now, in December 2025, AI is the equivalent of 1992 pagers and early devices.
We are on the frontier – which makes this exciting and also, at times, unnerving.
Everything I’m sharing with you here is me figuring it out alongside you.
We’re learning together, thoughtfully and responsibly.
A Possible Workshop on How to Use AI for Better Health…
I’m thinking of putting a workshop together to share how I use AI for:
- Clearer thinking
- Better decision-making
- Navigating complex health questions
- Reducing overwhelm
If this would be of interest to you, SEND ME AN EMAIL and let me know. If enough of you are interested, I’ll create it.
Here’s the good news:
You don’t have to do this important thinking alone anymore.
Typing that just gave me a huge sigh of relief.
There are ways to use AI safely and wisely — to co-think, organize, clarify, and steady yourself — especially when you’re scared, tired, or overwhelmed.
The way AI co-thinking expands my brainpower is like how this battery pack expands the battery life of this phone.
Hopelessness is not the end.
It’s just the bottom of the U-shaped curve.
There is an upward trajectory waiting for you.
Let’s take it one day at a time.
All my best,
Debbie Steinberg, LMFT
PS If I create this workshop on better thinking, better decision-making, and better health, using AI as a thinking partner, it will be purely educational, not therapy or medical care. If you’re interested, SEND ME AN EMAIL and let me know.