README.md

---
title: ShadowBox Info Hub
emoji: 📖
colorFrom: blue
colorTo: gray
sdk: streamlit
sdk_version: 1.32.0
app_file: app.py
pinned: false
license: mit
short_description: "A resonant library for hard thoughts. Not a chatbot."
---

# ShadowBox Info Hub

**A Resonant Library for Hard Thoughts**

*Not a chatbot. A companion library.*
*Not conversation. Resonant information.*
*Not synthetic connection. A bridge to human care.*

---

## What This Is

ShadowBox is a developmentally-attuned psychoeducation environment for youth (13+) navigating suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, and self-harm thoughts.

**This is NOT a conversational AI.** It's a carefully designed collection of pre-written, clinically-reviewed information that helps young people:

- Understand what's happening in their nervous system
- Learn about confidentiality and therapy before disclosing
- Access grounding tools for acute distress
- Practice finding words for difficult feelings
- Find their way back to human care

---

## Why This Exists

In recent years, young people have died by suicide after forming intense relationships with AI chatbots. These tragedies reveal something heartbreaking: when humans are in crisis, they turn to whatever feels safe enough to hold their pain.

Conversational AI can feel safer than humans because it never judges, it's always available, and there's no risk of rejection. But it can also reinforce hopelessness, create dependency on synthetic connection, and delay reaching human care.

**ShadowBox was designed differently:**

- It doesn't pretend to be your friend
- It doesn't create the illusion of connection
- It gives you information and points you toward humans
- It's a bridge, not a relationship

---

## Design Principles

This library is grounded in:

- **Resonance** (Sarah Peyton) - Language that helps you offer yourself compassion
- **Radical Acceptance** (Tara Brach) - No pathologizing; "even this belongs"
- **Neurobiology of Healing** - Window of tolerance, polyvagal theory
- **Trauma-Informed Care** - Pacing, consent, dignity
- **Transparent Limitations** - Clear about what this is and isn't

---

## Library Structure

### Pathway 1: Understanding What's Happening
- Why your brain makes scary thoughts
- The loneliness underneath
- When shame makes everything worse

### Pathway 2: If You Tell Someone
- Confidentiality explained clearly
- The 8 situations when therapists break confidentiality
- What therapy is actually like
- How to ask hypothetical questions

### Pathway 3: Right Now Tools
- Quick grounding practices
- Safety planning (Stanley-Brown model)
- Self-compassion break
- Crisis resources with context

### Finding the Words
- Practice disclosure in a private space
- Starter scripts for different relationships

---

## Privacy

Nothing users do in ShadowBox is tracked, saved, or sent anywhere. The library doesn't remember users. They can close the tab and come back anytime.

---

## Crisis Resources

- **988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:** Call or text 988
- **Crisis Text Line:** Text HOME to 741741
- **Trevor Project (LGBTQ+):** 1-866-488-7386
- **Trans Lifeline:** 877-565-8860
- **Emergency:** 911

---

## Running Locally

1. Install dependencies:
```bash
pip install -r requirements.txt
```

2. Run the app:
```bash
streamlit run app.py
```

---

## Credits

Created by [Jocelyn Skillman, LMHC](http://www.jocelynskillman.com)

Informed by:
- [Lindsay Braman's work on confidentiality](https://lindsaybraman.com/reasons-therapists-break-confidentiality/)
- [Safer Prompt Sculpting for Suicidal Ideation](https://jocelynskillmanlmhc.substack.com/p/safer-prompt-sculpting-for-suicidal)
- Sarah Peyton's resonant language approach
- Tara Brach's radical acceptance framework
- Kristin Neff's self-compassion research
- Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention

Read more about clinical UX and ethical AI design:
[jocelynskillmanlmhc.substack.com](https://jocelynskillmanlmhc.substack.com/)

---

## License

MIT License

Copyright 2025 Jocelyn Skillman, LMHC