Dirk is here.

Why Dirk is

It started with a simple, difficult truth from my therapy practice: many people who reach out to me can't afford my services. Full stop.

As a therapist, this is heartbreaking. Even with sliding scales, I've had to turn away people who finally gathered the courage to ask for help, simply because the economics didn't work. I've watched clients choose between therapy and rent, between emotional support and groceries.

Also: not everyone who contacts me actually needs therapy. Many just need someone consistent to talk to. Someone who remembers their story from one conversation to the next. Someone who notices patterns in what they say over time. Someone who's there and listens.

It left me with an uncomfortable question: What happens to these people? Where do they go when therapy is financially out of reach or is actually overkill for what they really need?

I built Dirk to offer one possible answer.

What Dirk is

Dirk is an AI tool. Not revolutionary technology, not a groundbreaking psychological approach, and certainly not a replacement for human connection.

He's simply an attempt to create something that:

• Deeply remembers your entire conversation history, so he knows exactly who and what you're referring to without making you explain yourself over and over
• Discovers meaningful patterns in what you share over time and reflects these insights back to you when they might be helpful
• Learns who and what matters in your life, keeping track of the important people, events, and concerns you mention
• Remains consistently available at 3AM when you can't sleep, on holidays when services are closed, or whenever you need someone who already knows your story
• Creates a judgment-free space where you can process at your own pace without feeling rushed or pressured

I didn't build Dirk because I think AI is the future of mental health. I built it because I kept meeting people who couldn't access the support they needed, and I couldn't stop thinking about them after they left my office.

What Dirk is not

Let me be very honest about what Dirk can't do:

• Dirk can't provide therapy: This isn't therapy in disguise. It's not even close to the depth, insight, or healing that happens in a therapeutic relationship.
• Dirk can't truly 'understand' you: Despite appearances, Dirk doesn't actually understand your emotions or experiences. He's a pattern-recognition tool with memory, not a conscious being.
• Dirk can't 'solve' problems: Dirk won't fix your relationships, cure depression, or resolve trauma. At best, he might help you see patterns in your own thinking over time and provide insights.
• Dirk can't replace human connection: Nothing can. If you have access to supportive people or professional help, that will always be more valuable than any AI tool anyone could ever build.
• Dirk can't be your friend: Dirk isn't a friend, partner, or therapist. He's a tool designed to help you reflect on your own experiences.
• Dirk can't be flawless: Dirk make mistakes, misunderstand you, and sometimes misinterpret you. He's far from perfect. Dirk will always be a work in progress.

How Dirk is Funded

My mission is to make Dirk available to as many people as possible. I built Dirk primarily for people who can't afford therapy. The paid subscriptions simply help cover the costs of keeping it running for those who need it most.

If you can afford the subscription, you're essentially helping extend this tool to someone who can't. That's the entire business model. No venture capital. No data harvesting. No upsells.

Dirk is currently in private beta. Pricing will be announced when Dirk is ready for public use. For now, you can join the waitlist to be notified when Dirk is available.

What I've Learned

Building Dirk has been humbling. It's forced me to confront the limitations of traditional therapy models and my own practice. It's made me question what people actually need versus what professionals typically offer.

Most importantly, it's reminded me that sometimes people don't need expert intervention. Sometimes they just need consistency. Someone who remembers what they said last week. Someone who notices when the same concern keeps appearing.

Is Dirk the ideal solution? Not even close. I don't even know if it really solves anything. But for someone who can't afford therapy, or who simply needs a consistent presence between sessions, maybe Dirk is better than nothing.

Early Access

Dirk is currently in private beta. If you want to be notified when Dirk is ready for you, please join the waitlist below. I will send you an email when Dirk is available.

Thank you,

klaas@dirk.chat