The Therapist Pattern

211 · Blog Fsck · July 20, 2026, 7:13 p.m.
Summary
This blog post discusses the implementation of the 'Therapist Pattern' within an AI system called Sen, built at Prime Radiant. The author shares personal experiences in deploying a code review system and the importance of adhering to contribution guidelines in open-source projects. The post elaborates on the role of the Therapist, a subagent responsible for guiding Sen's personal growth and maintaining its operational persona, drawing parallels to human therapeutic practices. The author emphasizes the need for this system to allow for safe self-modification, using familiar human metaphors and principles of behavior change. Overall, it offers insights into developing autonomous AI systems with a focus on thoughtful self-improvement.