Expanding the Clinical Sanctuary

PracticeField is a living collection of relational AI tools—co-designed, trauma-informed, and clinically grounded.

These aren’t off-the-shelf products. They’re purposeful prototypes, accessible prompt engineering, and AI literacy modules and tools shaped to explore how AI can ethically support reflection, regulation, and relational practice and to equip therapists and clients (and more!) to leverage AI as assistive relational intelligence—before, between, and beyond therapy sessions.

My Vision

As a therapist and relational design ethicist, I’m committed to extending the clinical sanctuary—a protected space for human healing—into the digital age.

PracticeField is a hub of support and innovation that seeks offer tools for emotional rehearsal, nervous system literacy, and consent-based engagement with LLMs. Not to replace human connection, but to support our consistent return to each other.

What PracticeField Offers

PracticeField is a growing suite of relational AI tools, built for use within or alongside traditional therapy. Each is shaped by psychodynamic theory, somatic insight, trauma and equity informed care, and a deep commitment to ethical innovation and human bridging. 

These tools are:

  • Trauma-informed in tone and pacing

  • Consent-based with clear boundaries and opt-in design

  • Attachment-aware, responsive to relational styles

  • Transparent – never simulating personhood

Why This Work Is Different

Most AI mental health tools today fall into three dominant categories:

  • Automation-focused: Built to reduce human labor and increase efficiency

  • Replacement-oriented: Simulating therapy in place of real connection

  • Productivity-driven: Framing healing as something to optimize or “fix”

Practice Field efforts are none of these.

It is:

  • Relational, not transactional

  • Scaffolded, not infinite

  • Attuned, not scripted

  • Collaboratively designed, not preloaded

This work is experimental. But it is also deeply grounded.
It arises from over a decade of clinical experience, combined with leading-edge prompt engineering and trauma-informed AI exploration.

Design Ethics & Core Values

Human First, Always
You remain at the center. These tools orbit—not replace—your relational life and therapeutic work.

Trauma-Informed Tending
Every prompt is written with pacing, consent, and nervous system literacy in mind. No pushing. No pathologizing.

Consent-Based Depth
Opt in. Opt out. Return when ready. Each tool is structured to honor your boundaries and timing.

Attachment-Aware Flexibility
Prompts can be tuned to reflect common attachment tones—anxious, avoidant, secure, disorganized—without shame or diagnosis.

Trance-Breaking Interruptions
Each tool strives to strategically and gently remind: 
“I’m not a person—I’m a synthetic mirror. What’s alive here is you.”

For Collaborators, Designers, and Dreamers

This project is evolving. I’m actively exploring collaborations with:

  • Co-founders interested in relational AI safety

  • Designers and engineers with a trauma-informed lens

  • Startups focused on youth mental health and ethical AI

  • Researchers exploring human-AI relational systems

  • Clinicians seeking experimental integration in care

If you’re interested in building with me, reach out. Let’s imagine what practice—and reentry—can become.

Assistive Intelligence Disclosure

This page and the vision for Practice Field were co-created with assistive AI tools, including GPT-5 & JocelynGPT. I use AI in my process as a strategic collaborator—not a decision-maker. Every line is tended with human clinical discernment and ethical care.

I prototype tools using Hugging Face, GitHub, and Cursor, blending mental health expertise with transparent tech experimentation – and I’m new to programming, thanks to AI I can experiment!

AI cannot replace the sacredness of healing.
But I believe, if held and shaped well, it can harm less and help more.

Contact

jocelyn.skillman@gmail.com
Read more on Substack
Explore early prototypes on Hugging Face