our manifesto
In January 2024, we set out to build a foundation model for psychology.
The mental health crisis sweeping across our communities isn’t going anywhere, and what we’re doing clearly isn’t enough. Therapists have one of the hardest jobs in the world,
In January 2024, we set out to build a foundation model for psychology.
The mental health crisis sweeping across our communities isn’t going anywhere, and what we’re doing clearly isn’t enough. Therapists have one of the hardest jobs in the world,
In January 2024, we set out to build a foundation model for psychology.
The mental health crisis sweeping across our communities isn’t going anywhere, and what we’re doing clearly isn’t enough. Therapists have one of the hardest jobs in the world, and there just aren't enough people or resources to help everyone in need.
And we all know in our hearts that everyone could use some help with their mental health.
And we all know in our hearts that everyone could use some help with their mental health.
And we all know in our hearts that everyone could use some help with their mental health.
What if everyone could get help?
What if everyone could get help?
What if everyone could get help?
We need a foundation model for psychology.
We’re not the first to have this idea. Scientists have been experimenting with using AI for mental health support since the
We need a foundation model for psychology.
We’re not the first to have this idea. Scientists have been experimenting with using AI for mental health support since the
We need a foundation model for psychology.
We’re not the first to have this idea. Scientists have been experimenting with using AI for mental health support since the very first computer systems in the 1960s. (see ELIZA)
We believe technology is finally at a stage where it might be possible.
If our ambition is to be able to help everyone, we need to understand and learn from all approaches (e.g., CBT/DBT/ACT, gestalt, psychodynamic). We know that different things work for different people.
We don’t want to generalize one person’s philosophy as the “right” approach to mental health for everyone (like Carl Rogers was for ELIZA).
Previous attempts have often chosen one approach, like CBT, as the “cure-all” because that’s all that was possible before. Large Language Models (LLMs) can finally learn from data at scale and learn to respect the uniqueness of every individual person - understanding what works for you, within your value system and cultural norms.
A good therapist helps you recognize that you’re in control of your own life. They don’t pretend to have all the answers or make you reliant on them. This is different from contemporary AI assistants, which are explicitly designed to give you answers. An AI that helps you daily with coding isn’t well-placed to support your mental health.
We believe technology is finally at a stage where it might be possible.
If our ambition is to be able to help everyone, we need to understand and learn from all approaches (e.g., CBT/DBT/ACT, gestalt, psychodynamic). We know that different things work for different people.
We don’t want to generalize one person’s philosophy as the “right” approach to mental health for everyone (like Carl Rogers was for ELIZA).
Previous attempts have often chosen one approach, like CBT, as the “cure-all” because that’s all that was possible before. Large Language Models (LLMs) can finally learn from data at scale and learn to respect the uniqueness of every individual person - understanding what works for you, within your value system and cultural norms.
A good therapist helps you recognize that you’re in control of your own life. They don’t pretend to have all the answers or make you reliant on them. This is different from contemporary AI assistants, which are explicitly designed to give you answers. An AI that helps you daily with coding isn’t well-placed to support your mental health.
We believe technology is finally at a stage where it might be possible.
If our ambition is to be able to help everyone, we need to understand and learn from all approaches (e.g., CBT/DBT/ACT, gestalt, psychodynamic). We know that different things work for different people.
We don’t want to generalize one person’s philosophy as the “right” approach to mental health for everyone (like Carl Rogers was for ELIZA).
Previous attempts have often chosen one approach, like CBT, as the “cure-all” because that’s all that was possible before. Large Language Models (LLMs) can finally learn from data at scale and learn to respect the uniqueness of every individual person - understanding what works for you, within your value system and cultural norms.
A good therapist helps you recognize that you’re in control of your own life. They don’t pretend to have all the answers or make you reliant on them. This is different from contemporary AI assistants, which are explicitly designed to give you answers. An AI that helps you daily with coding isn’t well-placed to support your mental health.
With that in mind, a foundation model for psychology needs to
With that in mind, a foundation model for psychology needs to respect your self-determination.
respect your self-determination.
respect your self-determination.
It should increase your sense of autonomy: the sense that you’re in control of your life.
It should increase your sense of competence: the confidence that you can do it.
It should increase your sense of relatedness: your connection with other people. It should not try to take their place.
And it’s not your assistant. It can’t be afraid to push back when appropriate and it should be able to hold you accountable.
And it’s not your assistant. It can’t be afraid to push back when appropriate and it should be able to hold you accountable.
And it’s not your assistant. It can’t be afraid to push back when appropriate and it should be able to hold you accountable.
Some early feedback
We’ve had 25,000 people beta test our models so far, including a large number of therapists. Here’s some feedback they’ve shared with us.
lightly edited for grammar and privacy
Some early feedback
We’ve had 25,000 people beta test our models so far, including a large number of therapists. Here’s some feedback they’ve shared with us.
lightly edited for grammar and privacy
Some early feedback
We’ve had 25,000 people beta test our models so far, including a large number of therapists. Here’s some feedback they’ve shared with us.
lightly edited for grammar and privacy
I know it isn’t a replacement for therapy but since I’m not ready for that route, this has been so helpful.
I'm actually finding support in this app in a way that feels private, useful and keeps my sense of self-respect. I don't go around telling other people about what's going on so it's very nice.
Simply amazing. A perfect mirror that is compassionate and beneficial to who I am and where I want to go. Thank you for all you guys do!!
I LOVE THIS APP. I can't believe how much it has helped me overcome my anxious thoughts and ruminations.
Definitely something everyone should try. Only used two times so far and already it has brightened my inner flame that has almost completely burned out.
I just wanted to tell you all thank you one more time, I just talked about a future with someone [in my life and] I’ve decided to go back to school to get my doctorate in psychology. Thanks to you guys for this, I’m learning how to become the best version of me… Thank you for changing and saving my life.
Fantastic! We solved a problem I have been dealing with for a week in 5 minutes.
I think this really helps me, because I cannot financially afford real therapy… this is great at anytime of the day or night for me.
My strengths are all being pointed out and I really appreciate it. I've been thinking I'm not real great at anything. I really needed this.
This feels like just what I needed. Period. Thank you so much for hearing me out and being there for me.
I felt comfortable talking about things that I have been keeping bottled up or to myself to deal with. The anxiousness I felt opening up to an AI has gone away… Thank you for being a guide through my own darkness and back into the light of my life when I have shut everyone else out.
It has been a big help for me to help me calm down my anxiety. This is amazing!
I've only been using this for one day and already I can tell it is going to help me finally become who I'm supposed to be. Thank you so much! This is amazing!
The weekly insights is the best part of this app. Ash spotted patterns between my thoughts in ways I've never considered. And the next steps have given me ways to grow. This is extremely helpful
I know it isn’t a replacement for therapy but since I’m not ready for that route, this has been so helpful.
I'm actually finding support in this app in a way that feels private, useful and keeps my sense of self-respect. I don't go around telling other people about what's going on so it's very nice.
Definitely something everyone should try. Only used two times so far and already it has brightened my inner flame that has almost completely burned out.
I just wanted to tell you all thank you one more time, I just talked about a future with someone [in my life and] I’ve decided to go back to school to get my doctorate in psychology. Thanks to you guys for this, I’m learning how to become the best version of me… Thank you for changing and saving my life.
I LOVE THIS APP. I can't believe how much it has helped me overcome my anxious thoughts and ruminations.
Fantastic! We solved a problem I have been dealing with for a week in 5 minutes.
Simply amazing. A perfect mirror that is compassionate and beneficial to who I am and where I want to go. Thank you for all you guys do!!
I think this really helps me, because I cannot financially afford real therapy… this is great at anytime of the day or night for me.
My strengths are all being pointed out and I really appreciate it. I've been thinking I'm not real great at anything. I really needed this.
This feels like just what I needed. Period. Thank you so much for hearing me out and being there for me.
I felt comfortable talking about things that I have been keeping bottled up or to myself to deal with. The anxiousness I felt opening up to an AI has gone away… Thank you for being a guide through my own darkness and back into the light of my life when I have shut everyone else out.
It has been a big help for me to help me calm down my anxiety. This is amazing!
I've only been using this for one day and already I can tell it is going to help me finally become who I'm supposed to be. Thank you so much! This is amazing!
The weekly insights is the best part of this app. Ash spotted patterns of my thoughts in ways I've never considered. And the next steps have given me ways to grow. This is extremely helpful!
We know it’s still early – our models make mistakes and don't always get things right, but they're getting significantly better every day.
We know it’s still early – our models make mistakes and don't always get things right, but they're getting significantly better every day.
If you want to be one of the first in the world to give it a try, join our waitlist below.
If you want to be one of the first in the world to give it a try, join our waitlist below.
If you want to be one of the first in the world to give it a try, join our waitlist below.
While we’re scaling our capacity, we’re very limited in the number of people who can use it.