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Add missing reference files and streamline documentation

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- Add missing modality files: lifespan-integration, somatic-experiencing, psychodynamic
- Add missing persona file: grounded-real
- Refactor docs to reduce overlap and clarify focus:
  - README: overview and why (removed install steps, links to other docs)
  - GETTING-STARTED: step-by-step setup only
  - SECURITY: privacy options with friendlier language
- Simplify language for non-technical audience
- Remove duplicate FAQ, crisis resources, and privacy explanations

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
Anthony Taglianetti
2026-02-01 21:27:44 -08:00
parent 301dfd3c1e
commit 783fd4a5ae
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docs/GETTING-STARTED.md
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# Getting Started
This guide is for people who have never used Claude Code or similar tools. If you've only used ChatGPT through the web, start here.
## What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is a terminal application that lets Claude read and write files on your computer. This is what makes persistent therapy sessions possible: your AI therapist can read your profile and past sessions, then save notes after each conversation.
This guide walks you through setting up your AI therapist from scratch. No technical experience needed.
---
## Step 1: Get Claude Code Access
## Step 1: Get Claude Code
### Option A: Claude Pro Subscription (Simplest)
Claude Code is what lets your AI therapist read your profile, remember past sessions, and save notes. You need it before you can set up your therapist.
If you have a **Claude Pro subscription** ($20/month), Claude Code is included:
### Option A: Claude Pro ($20/month, simplest)
1. Go to [claude.ai](https://claude.ai) and sign up for Pro
1. Go to [claude.ai](https://claude.ai) and sign up for Claude Pro
2. Download Claude Code from [claude.ai/code](https://claude.ai/code)
3. Run the installer
4. Open Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows) and type `claude`
5. Sign in with your Claude account when prompted
4. Open **Terminal** (Mac) or **PowerShell** (Windows)
5. Type `claude` and press Enter
6. Sign in with your Claude account when prompted
That's it. You're ready for Step 2.
Done! Move to Step 2.
### Option B: API Key (Pay-per-use)
If you want usage-based pricing instead of a subscription:
### Option B: Pay-per-use (no subscription)
1. Go to [console.anthropic.com](https://console.anthropic.com)
2. Create an account and add a payment method
3. Go to API Keys → Create new key
4. Copy the key (starts with `sk-ant-`)
3. Click **API Keys** → **Create new key**
4. Copy the key (it starts with `sk-ant-`)
5. Download Claude Code from [claude.ai/code](https://claude.ai/code)
6. Run `claude` and paste your API key when prompted
6. Run the installer
7. Open **Terminal** (Mac) or **PowerShell** (Windows)
8. Type `claude` and paste your API key when prompted
API pricing is usage-based. Typical therapy use: $5-20/month depending on session length and frequency.
> **Privacy note:** Both options keep conversations off training data. API has shorter retention.
Typical cost: $5-20/month depending on how often you chat.
---
## Step 2: Download the Starter Kit
Open Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows) and run:
Open Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows) and run these commands:
```bash
```
git clone https://github.com/ataglianetti/ai-therapy-kit.git
cd ai-therapy-kit
```
**Don't have git?** Download the ZIP from the GitHub page and extract it somewhere you'll remember.
**Don't have git?** Go to the [GitHub page](https://github.com/ataglianetti/ai-therapy-kit), click the green "Code" button, choose "Download ZIP", and extract it somewhere you'll remember.
---
## Step 3: Run Setup
From the ai-therapy-kit folder, run:
From the ai-therapy-kit folder, type:
```bash
```
claude
```
Claude will walk you through setup conversationally:
- What to name your AI therapist
- Communication style (warm, direct, coach, or grounded)
- Which therapeutic approaches to use
- Where to store your session files
- Whether to import existing notes (optional)
Claude will guide you through setup by asking a few questions:
**Importing existing notes:** If you've been using ChatGPT or another tool for therapy, you can import that history. Claude accepts:
- ChatGPT exports (Settings → Data Controls → Export gives you a ZIP file)
- Markdown or text files
- PDFs
1. **Therapist name** — What to call your AI therapist (e.g., Sage, Willow, Quinn)
2. **Communication style** — Warm, direct, coach-like, or down-to-earth
3. **Therapeutic approaches** — Which methods to use (CBT, ACT, DBT, etc.)
4. **Storage location** — Where to save your session files
5. **Import history** (optional) — Bring in notes from ChatGPT or other tools
Your AI therapist will read these to understand your background and update your profile automatically.
### Importing Existing Notes
This creates your personalized therapy folder with a `CLAUDE.md` file that shapes how your AI therapist behaves.
If you've been using ChatGPT for therapy-like conversations, you can import that history:
1. In ChatGPT: Go to Settings → Data Controls → Export
2. You'll get a ZIP file
3. During setup, tell Claude you want to import and provide the file path
Your AI therapist will read these notes to understand your background.
---
## Step 4: Start a Session
At the end of setup, Claude will ask if you want to start your first session right away. Say yes!
At the end of setup, Claude will ask if you want to start your first session. Say yes!
For future sessions, you have two options:
### Future Sessions
**Option A: Launcher script (easiest)**
If you chose to create a launcher during setup, just double-click `start-session.command` (Mac/Linux) or `start-session.bat` (Windows) in your therapy folder. You can drag this to your Dock or taskbar for quick access.
**Easiest way:** Double-click the launcher script in your therapy folder:
- Mac/Linux: `start-session.command`
- Windows: `start-session.bat`
**Option B: Terminal**
```bash
cd ~/sage && claude # replace with your folder name
Tip: Drag this to your Dock (Mac) or taskbar (Windows) for one-click access.
**Or use Terminal:**
```
cd ~/Sage && claude
```
(Replace `Sage` with your therapist's name/folder)
Just talk. Say hello, share what's on your mind. Your AI therapist will:
- Welcome you (first session) or pick up where you left off
### During a Session
Just talk naturally. Say hello, share what's on your mind. Your AI therapist will:
- Welcome you or pick up where you left off
- Remember everything from previous sessions
- Save notes when you're done
To end a session, just say goodbye or close the terminal.
To end a session, say goodbye or just close the window.
---
## Viewing Your Sessions (Optional)
## Viewing Your Notes
Your sessions are saved as plain text files. You can read them with any text editor, or use [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md) (free) for a nicer experience:
Your sessions are saved as regular text files. You can open them with any text editor (TextEdit, Notepad, etc.).
For a nicer reading experience, try [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md) (free):
1. Download Obsidian
2. Open your therapy folder as a "vault"
3. Browse sessions, search across all notes, see connections
3. Browse sessions, search across notes, see connections between topics
---
## Troubleshooting
**"command not found: claude"**
- Make sure you installed Claude Code and restarted your terminal
Make sure you installed Claude Code and restarted your terminal.
**Claude doesn't know it's a therapist**
- Make sure you're in your therapy folder (`cd ~/ai-therapy`) before running `claude`
- Check that `CLAUDE.md` exists in that folder
**Claude doesn't seem like a therapist**
Make sure you're in your therapy folder before running `claude`. Check that `CLAUDE.md` exists in that folder.
**Setup didn't start**
- Make sure you're in the `ai-therapy-kit` folder when running `claude`
- Check that `CLAUDE.md` exists in the repo
**Setup didn't start automatically**
Make sure you're in the `ai-therapy-kit` folder (not your therapy folder) when first running `claude`.
---
## Questions
## More Questions?
**How much does this cost?**
- Claude Pro: $20/month (includes Claude Code)
- API: ~$5-20/month depending on usage
**Can I use ChatGPT instead?**
- Yes. Copy the contents of `CLAUDE.md` into ChatGPT's Custom Instructions or a GPT Project. You won't get automatic session saving, but the therapeutic framework still works.
**Is this private?**
- Your files stay on your computer
- Conversations go through Anthropic's servers but aren't used for training
- For maximum privacy, use a local LLM (advanced)
See the [FAQ in the README](../README.md#faq) for common questions about cost, privacy, and customization.