AI Therapy Starter Kit

A local-first, privacy-focused toolkit for AI-assisted therapy and self-reflection.

Your sessions stay on your computer. Your data is yours. Works with Claude, GPT, or any LLM.

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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. Copy-paste to Google Docs? That gets old fast.
• Privacy concerns. Your deepest thoughts, stored on someone else's servers, potentially reviewed by humans.
• Platform lock-in. Build a relationship with 4o, then OpenAI deprecates it. Start over.
• Inconsistent quality. Sometimes helpful, sometimes reads from a script. No therapeutic framework.

This toolkit solves all of them.

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What You Get

Persistent memory — Sessions and insights accumulate in local markdown files. Your AI therapist remembers everything, across sessions, forever.

Real privacy — Files live on your machine. Optional encryption (AES-256) for sensitive data. Use a local LLM for maximum privacy.

Portable — Works with Claude Code, ChatGPT API, or any LLM that can read files. Switch providers without losing your history.

Evidence-based framework — Built-in CBT, ACT, and DBT skills. Structured therapeutic approaches, not just vibes.

Customizable — Choose your therapist's communication style. Add modalities. Make it yours.

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Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Claude Code (recommended) or another LLM interface
• macOS or Windows
• 10 minutes for setup

Installation

macOS:

git clone https://github.com/ataglianetti/ai-therapy-kit.git
cd ai-therapy-kit
./setup.sh

Windows (PowerShell):

git clone https://github.com/ataglianetti/ai-therapy-kit.git
cd ai-therapy-kit
.\setup.ps1

The setup script will guide you through:

1. Choosing a therapist name and communication style
2. Selecting therapeutic approaches (CBT, ACT, DBT skills)
3. Setting up storage location
4. Optional encryption

Start a Session

cd ~/ai-therapy   # or your chosen location
claude            # or your preferred LLM interface

Just talk. Your AI therapist will maintain context, take notes, and remember everything for next time.

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Features

Three Communication Styles

Style	Best For
Warm & Supportive	Validation-first, gentle challenges, nurturing presence
Direct & Challenging	Socratic questioning, will push back, insight-focused
Coach	Action-oriented, goal-focused, accountability

Three Therapeutic Approaches (Free)

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) — Identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns
• ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) — Values-based action, mindful acceptance
• DBT Skills — Emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness

Session Continuity

Your AI therapist automatically:

• Reads your profile and recent sessions at the start
• Takes structured notes at the end
• Updates your profile as insights emerge
• Tracks homework and follows up

Optional Encryption

For shared computers or maximum privacy:

• macOS: Encrypted disk image (built-in, no install)
• Windows: VeraCrypt container (free, open-source)

Setup walks you through it.

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How It Works

ai-therapy/
├── CLAUDE.md        # Your therapist's personality and approach
├── profile.md       # Cumulative client profile (builds over time)
└── sessions/
    ├── 2024-01-15.md
    ├── 2024-01-18.md
    └── ...

CLAUDE.md — Instructions that shape your AI therapist's behavior. Generated during setup based on your preferences.

profile.md — Your ongoing profile. Background, patterns, insights, goals. Updated across sessions.

sessions/ — Session notes in dated markdown files. Themes, emotional state, homework, threads to revisit.

Everything is plain text. Readable, portable, yours.

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Safety Features

This toolkit includes built-in safety protocols:

Crisis Response

• Recognizes crisis language (suicidal ideation, self-harm, psychosis)
• Provides immediate crisis resources (988, Crisis Text Line)
• Does not attempt to "treat" acute crises

Scope Limitations

• Will not diagnose conditions
• Will not advise on medication
• Recommends professional help when appropriate

Ethical Guidelines

• Maintains appropriate therapeutic boundaries
• Promotes autonomy, not dependency
• Acknowledges AI limitations honestly

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Important Disclaimer

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

• The AI cannot diagnose mental health conditions
• The AI cannot prescribe or advise on medication
• If you're in crisis, contact a crisis line or emergency services
• Consider sharing that you use this tool with your therapist

Crisis Resources:

• 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text, US)
• 741741 — Crisis Text Line (text HOME)
• 911 — Immediate emergencies
• findahelpline.com — International directory

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Expansion Packs

The core kit is free. Additional modalities and personas available:

Modality Packs ($5+ each)

• Schema Therapy — Early maladaptive schemas, parts work, reparenting
• IFS (Internal Family Systems) — Parts work, exiles/protectors, self-leadership
• Somatic/Trauma-Informed — Body-based awareness, window of tolerance
• Psychodynamic — Defense mechanisms, unconscious patterns, insight-oriented

Persona Packs ($3+ each)

• Peer/Friend — Casual, non-clinical, conversational
• Narrative Therapist — Story-focused, externalization
• Existential — Meaning-focused, philosophical
• Mindfulness Guide — Meditation-integrated, present-moment

Get them at: gumroad.com/ataglianetti

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Support This Project

This toolkit is free and open source. If it helps you, consider supporting development:

☕ Buy Me a Coffee — One-time donation

💚 Gumroad — Name-your-price or expansion packs

Your support helps me maintain the project and create new content.

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Privacy & Security

Your Data

• All files stored locally on your machine
• Nothing uploaded, synced, or transmitted by this toolkit
• No analytics, telemetry, or tracking
• Delete anytime by removing the folder

API Considerations

If using a cloud LLM (Claude, GPT), your messages go through their API:

• Claude API: Anthropic's privacy policy — Data not used for training
• OpenAI API: OpenAI's privacy policy

For maximum privacy, use a local LLM (Ollama, LM Studio). See SECURITY.md for setup.

Encryption

Optional but recommended for shared computers. Setup script walks you through it.

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FAQ

Can I use this with ChatGPT instead of Claude?

Yes. The CLAUDE.md file works as a system prompt for any LLM. For ChatGPT, paste it into Custom Instructions or a GPT Project.

What if I'm already in therapy?

Great! This tool works well as a supplement. Consider sharing that you use it with your therapist.

Is this HIPAA compliant?

This is not a healthcare product and doesn't fall under HIPAA. You're running it on your own computer. We don't store or access any of your data.

Can I customize the therapeutic approach?

Yes. Edit CLAUDE.md directly, or purchase expansion packs for additional modalities.

What if I need more than self-reflection?

This tool is designed for everyday emotional support. If you're dealing with severe symptoms, trauma, or crisis situations, please seek professional help. The AI will also recommend this when appropriate.

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Contributing

Issues and PRs welcome. See CONTRIBUTING.md.

Areas of interest:

• Additional modalities (with clinical grounding)
• Improved crisis detection
• Local LLM integration guides
• Translations

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License

MIT License. See LICENSE.

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Acknowledgments

Built with inspiration from the 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. 💚