Anthony Taglianetti
783fd4a5ae
- 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>
134 lines
4.0 KiB
Markdown
134 lines
4.0 KiB
Markdown
# Getting Started
|
|
|
|
This guide walks you through setting up your AI therapist from scratch. No technical experience needed.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Step 1: Get Claude Code
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
### Option A: Claude Pro ($20/month, simplest)
|
|
|
|
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)
|
|
5. Type `claude` and press Enter
|
|
6. Sign in with your Claude account when prompted
|
|
|
|
Done! Move to Step 2.
|
|
|
|
### 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. 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 the installer
|
|
7. Open **Terminal** (Mac) or **PowerShell** (Windows)
|
|
8. Type `claude` and paste your API key when prompted
|
|
|
|
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 these commands:
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
git clone https://github.com/ataglianetti/ai-therapy-kit.git
|
|
cd ai-therapy-kit
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
**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, type:
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
claude
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
Claude will guide you through setup by asking a few questions:
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
### Importing Existing Notes
|
|
|
|
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. Say yes!
|
|
|
|
### Future Sessions
|
|
|
|
**Easiest way:** Double-click the launcher script in your therapy folder:
|
|
- Mac/Linux: `start-session.command`
|
|
- Windows: `start-session.bat`
|
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
### 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, say goodbye or just close the window.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Viewing Your Notes
|
|
|
|
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 notes, see connections between topics
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Troubleshooting
|
|
|
|
**"command not found: claude"**
|
|
Make sure you installed Claude Code and restarted your terminal.
|
|
|
|
**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 automatically**
|
|
Make sure you're in the `ai-therapy-kit` folder (not your therapy folder) when first running `claude`.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## More Questions?
|
|
|
|
See the [FAQ in the README](../README.md#faq) for common questions about cost, privacy, and customization.
|