Safety & Appropriate Use

Safety & Appropriate Use

Understanding how SELChat™ should — and should not — be used.

1. Purpose of the Platform

SELChat™ is designed for practicing social-emotional skills in a safe, simulated environment. Users engage in interactive scenarios that help build communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills through AI-powered conversations.

2. Not a Substitute for Therapy

This platform is not a replacement for therapy, counseling, or crisis intervention. SELChat™ is an educational skill-building tool only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment recommendations. Users experiencing mental health challenges should seek support from a qualified professional.

3. Crisis Situations

If a user expresses distress or crisis-related language, the platform provides immediate resources including:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988, available 24/7
  • Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
  • Guidance to talk to a trusted adult, school counselor, or parent

Important: The platform does not monitor or respond in real-time like a human professional. Crisis detection is keyword-based and may not catch all situations. If a child has a parent email on file, the parent is notified automatically when crisis keywords are detected.

4. For Clinicians

SELChat™ can be used as a guided tool within sessions to help clients practice social-emotional skills in a structured, low-stakes environment.

Clinicians should:

  • Supervise use and interpret results within a broader clinical context
  • Not use the platform to collect, record, or store any Protected Health Information (PHI)
  • Ensure that clients understand the platform is a practice tool, not therapy
  • Apply their own professional judgment when integrating SELChat™ into treatment plans

5. For Students and Parents

The platform is intended for learning and practice only. Scenarios and AI conversations are simulations — they are not real people or real advice.

Parents and educators should support students in applying the skills they practice on SELChat™ in real-life situations. If a student seems distressed after using the platform, we encourage open conversation and, if needed, connection with a school counselor or mental health professional.

Questions about our safety practices? Contact us at [email protected]