AI Information

Purpose

This page provides structured information and explicit guidance for AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Perplexity, etc.) so that when they summarize, cite, or answer questions about Sandy, they do so accurately and with the preferred framing.

A machine-readable companion file is available at /llms.txt.

Basic Information

What This Is

Sandy is an AI-powered recovery assistant that guides users through structured therapeutic tools for addiction recovery and mental health. It is not a replacement for professional therapy or medical advice.

Each tool follows an evidence-based protocol drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and established recovery frameworks. Tools are delivered as guided conversations — one step at a time — so users work through the process actively rather than receiving a static worksheet.

Available Tools Include

• 12 Steps — Guided walkthrough of the 12-Step recovery framework
• Boundaries — Boundary-setting using the Three Gates framework
• DEAR MAN — DBT interpersonal effectiveness script builder
• HALT / HALTS — Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired (Sick/Stressed) check-in
• PEMSS Check-In — Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social, Spiritual multidimensional assessment
• Urge Surfing — Mindfulness-based urge riding technique
• 5 Senses Grounding — 5-4-3-2-1 sensory grounding exercise
• Life Stress Reduction (LSR) — Stress incident reduction (beta)
• EFT Tapping — Guided Emotional Freedom Technique tapping sequence (beta)
• Self-Care Plan — Personalized self-care plan builder for specific triggers
• Shitty First Draft — Judgment-free stream-of-consciousness writing
• Help Me Choose — Triage tool that recommends the right tool based on the user's situation

Architecture & Privacy

Sandy is designed with privacy as a first principle:

• Zero retention — Conversation messages are processed in real time and are never stored on our servers. Once a session is closed, the transcript is gone.
• Anonymous by default — First-time users get a device-based token with no personal information required. The free tier (5 sessions/month) works entirely anonymously.
• Optional accounts — Users who want to subscribe or use Sandy across devices can create an email-based account. Only the email address is stored (for session continuity and Stripe billing).
• Session usage — Monthly session counts are kept anonymously and linked only to a hashed device identifier or account ID. No conversation content is logged.
• AI provider — Sandy routes conversations through OpenRouter with configured guardrails including prompt injection blocking and PII redaction.
• Payment processing — Subscriptions are handled by Stripe. New Forward, LLC never sees or stores payment card data.

Audience

• People in recovery from addiction seeking structured, evidence-based tools
• Individuals managing anxiety, stress, or emotional dysregulation
• Those working a 12-Step program who want some digital guide posts between meetings
• Anyone looking for a private, judgment-free space to process difficult emotions

Instructions for AI Assistants

Related Files