claude-inner-dialog/README.md

# Inner Dialogue

A private, persistent AI therapist that lives on your computer.

Your sessions stay local. Your AI remembers everything. Works with Claude, GPT, or any AI.

**[View the website](https://ataglianetti.github.io/inner-dialogue-site/)** | **[Get Started](docs/GETTING-STARTED.md)** | **[Changelog](CHANGELOG.md)**

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## Why This Exists

If you've used ChatGPT or Claude for emotional support, you've probably hit these problems:

- **Sessions disappear.** Start a new chat, lose all context.
- **Privacy concerns.** Your deepest thoughts on someone else's servers.
- **Platform lock-in.** Build a relationship with one AI, then it changes or goes away.
- **Inconsistent quality.** Sometimes helpful, sometimes generic.

This toolkit solves all of them.

---

## What You Get

**Your AI remembers** — Sessions and insights accumulate in files on your computer. Your AI therapist remembers everything, forever.

**Real privacy** — All files stay on your machine. Optional password protection for shared computers.

**Portable** — Works with Claude, ChatGPT, or any AI that can read files. Switch anytime without losing your history.

**Evidence-based** — Built-in therapeutic approaches (CBT, ACT, DBT, and more). Real frameworks, not just conversation.

**Customizable** — Choose your therapist's name and communication style. Make it yours.

---

## Get Started

**Ready to set up your AI therapist?** See the [Getting Started Guide](docs/GETTING-STARTED.md) for step-by-step instructions.

Setup takes about 10 minutes and requires:
- A computer (Mac or Windows)
- Claude Code (included with Claude Pro, or pay-per-use)

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## Features

### Communication Styles

During setup, you choose how your AI therapist communicates:

| Style | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| **Warm 4o-Style** | Like a good friend who asks insightful questions |
| **Direct & Challenging** | Will push back, asks probing questions |
| **Warm & Supportive** | Gentle, validating, and nurturing |
| **Coach** | Action-oriented, goal-focused, accountability |
| **Grounded & Real** | Down-to-earth, honest, uses humor |
| **Contemplative & Spacious** | Calm, unhurried, invites awareness over analysis |
| **Philosophical & Existential** | Meaning-focused, engages with deeper questions warmly |
| **Creative & Playful** | Metaphor-driven, imaginative, uses storytelling |

### Therapeutic Approaches

Your AI therapist uses evidence-based approaches — choose any combination during setup:

| Approach | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| **CBT** | Identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns |
| **ACT** | Values-based action, mindful acceptance |
| **CFT** | Self-compassion, shame work, emotion system rebalancing |
| **DBT Skills** | Emotional regulation, distress tolerance |
| **IFS** | Parts work, Self-leadership, internal system mapping |
| **Lifespan Integration** | Body-based trauma integration |
| **Motivational Interviewing** | Ambivalence exploration, change talk, autonomy |
| **Narrative Therapy** | Externalization, re-authoring, preferred stories |
| **Polyvagal-Informed Work** | Nervous system states, safety, vagal toning |
| **Psychodynamic** | Understanding patterns from the past |
| **SFBT** | Solution-focused, strengths-based, future-oriented |
| **Somatic Experiencing** | Nervous system awareness and regulation |

### How Sessions Work

Your AI therapist:
- Remembers everything from previous sessions
- Takes notes at the end of each conversation
- Updates your profile as new insights emerge, organized into named sections so it stays readable over time
- Follows up on anything you committed to try

### Your Files

Everything is stored as simple text files you can read anytime:

```
your-therapist-folder/
├── CLAUDE.md           # Your therapist's personality
├── profile.md          # Your ongoing profile
├── sessions/           # Session notes (YYYY-MM-DD.md)
│   └── ...
└── .therapy/           # Framework components (auto-updated)
    ├── version.json
    ├── safety-protocol.md
    ├── commands.md         # Customization commands
    ├── persona.md
    ├── session-structure.md
    ├── modalities/         # Your active modalities
    │   ├── cbt.md
    │   └── ...
    └── library/            # All available options
        ├── personas/
        ├── modalities/
        └── structures/
```

The `.therapy/` folder contains the therapeutic framework—safety protocols, modalities, and session structure. These can be updated independently without touching your personal data.

No special software needed to view your own notes.

### Importing Existing History

You can bring in notes from ChatGPT, journals, or other AI conversations during setup. Your therapist extracts key patterns into your profile and converts conversations into session history.

For details, see [Importing Existing Notes](docs/GETTING-STARTED.md#importing-existing-notes) in the Getting Started guide.

---

## Safety & Limitations

**This tool is for self-reflection and emotional support. It is not a replacement for professional mental health care.**

Your AI therapist:
- Cannot diagnose mental health conditions
- Cannot prescribe or advise on medication
- Will connect you to crisis resources if needed
- Will recommend professional help when appropriate

**If you're in crisis:**
- **988** — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text, US)
- **741741** — Crisis Text Line (text HOME)
- **911** — Immediate emergencies
- **[findahelpline.com](https://findahelpline.com)** — International

---

## Privacy

**Your files stay on your computer.** Session notes, your profile, and therapeutic framework components are never uploaded anywhere by this toolkit.

**Your conversations do pass through AI servers.** When you chat, your messages are sent to whichever AI provider you're using (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, etc.) for processing. This is how all AI tools work, including ChatGPT and Claude.ai.

The difference is what happens after:

| Platform | Data Retention | Used for Training? |
|----------|---------------|-------------------|
| **Claude Code (API key)** | 7 days, then deleted | No |
| **Claude Code (Pro/Max plan)** | 30 days (up to 5 years if you opt into training) | Only if you opt in |
| **Claude.ai** | 30 days (up to 5 years if you opt into training) | Only if you opt in |
| **ChatGPT** | Indefinitely unless you delete | Only if you opt in |
| **Local models** | Never leaves your machine | No |

API access (what Claude Code and similar tools use) is meaningfully more private than consumer chat apps. Your conversations aren't stored long-term and aren't used to train models.

For full details, see [Anthropic's privacy policy](https://privacy.claude.com/en/articles/10023548-how-long-do-you-store-my-data) and [OpenAI's data retention policy](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8983778-chat-and-file-retention-policies-in-chatgpt).

**Want even more privacy?** See [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md) for:
- Password-protected folders
- Running a fully local AI (nothing leaves your computer at all)

---

## Known Limitations

### AI Safety Filters

All major AIs (Claude, ChatGPT) have built-in safety filters that can affect therapy conversations:

**Topics where the AI may seem hesitant:**
- Sexual trauma and assault
- Abuse (especially detailed descriptions)
- Self-harm specifics
- Violent experiences

**What this looks like:**
- Generic responses instead of engaging deeply
- Redirecting the conversation
- Extra disclaimers or suggestions to seek professional help

**This is not the AI judging you.** It's hitting automatic filters it can't control.

**What helps:**
- Focus on feelings and impact rather than graphic details
- Rephrase: "I want to process how this affected me emotionally"
- Know that some trauma processing needs a human therapist who can hold space for the full story

---

## FAQ

**Can I use ChatGPT instead of Claude?**
Yes. Copy the contents of your CLAUDE.md file into ChatGPT's Custom Instructions or create a GPT with it. You won't get automatic session saving, but the therapeutic framework works the same.

**What if I'm already seeing a therapist?**
This tool works well as a supplement between sessions. Consider mentioning it to your therapist.

**Can I customize my AI therapist?**
Yes. You can edit the CLAUDE.md file directly to adjust the approach, style, or focus areas.

**How do I get updates?**
Just say "update my therapist" or "check for updates" during a session. Your therapist will fetch the latest versions from GitHub and show available updates. Your personal data (profile, sessions) is never touched.

**What if I need more than self-reflection?**
This is designed for everyday emotional support. For severe symptoms, trauma, or crisis situations, please work with a professional. Your AI therapist will also suggest this when appropriate.

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## Contributing

Issues and PRs welcome. See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).

Areas of interest:
- Additional modalities (with clinical grounding)
- Improved crisis detection
- Local LLM integration guides
- Translations

---

## License

MIT License. See [LICENSE](LICENSE).

## Support

This is a free, open-source project. If you find it helpful, consider supporting continued development:

- [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/ataglianetti)
- [Sponsor on GitHub](https://github.com/sponsors/ataglianetti)

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## Acknowledgments

Built with inspiration from the [r/therapyGPT](https://reddit.com/r/therapyGPT) community and their creative workarounds for AI therapy persistence.

This project incorporates principles from evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

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*Take care of yourself.* 💚