MindBlume: AI-Driven Therapist Matching
ARC - A solution for the blockchain novice
ARC - A Blockchain Solution
PROJECT TYPE
Case Study
ROLE
Sole UX/UI Designer
TIMELINE
8 Weeks
8 Weeks
iOS
AI-powered app that matches users with therapists based on responses, enhancing psychedelic therapy through personalized, trust-based connections
AI-driven app matches users with therapists based on responses, personalizing therapy through trust-based connections.
Design Process + Methodology
Empathize
Mental health has become one of the most pressing issues in America. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 5 Americans will experience at least one mental health condition in a given year.
Despite promising psychedelic research for the treatment of mental disorders in the 1950s and recent breakthroughs, such as psychedelic-guided therapy, it has fallen short in rapidly securing its place among more traditional treatment alternatives.
Mental health has become one of the most pressing issues in America. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 5 Americans will experience at least one mental health condition in a given year.
Despite promising psychedelic research for the treatment of mental disorders in the 1950s and recent breakthroughs, such as psychedelic-guided therapy, it has fallen short in rapidly securing its place among more traditional treatment alternatives.
Research Objective
My research objective is to investigate the barriers preventing the widespread acceptance of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the United States, particularly among millennials, despite its promising clinical potential The goal is to identify design opportunities that support its integration into mental health care and improve outcomes for this generation.
My research explores barriers to psychedelic-assisted therapy acceptance among millennials, aiming to identify design opportunities for its integration into mental health care.
Research Objective
Secondary Research
1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness each year.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Mental Health,” 2023.
The pre-owned luxury goods market is projected to reach €49 billion by 2025.
Bain & Company, "The Luxury Report 2021," 2021
68% of participants who received MDMA-assisted psychotherapy no longer met the criteria for PTSD 12 months after treatment.
Mitchell, J.M. et al., "MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Severe PTSD," Nature Medicine, 2021.
80% of cancer patients showed significant reductions in anxiety and depression after psilocybin therapy.
Journal of Psychopharmacology, "Psilocybin for End-of- Life Anxiety," 2024.
Primary Research
Following my secondary research, I conducted in-depth, decontextualized user interviews with individuals managing mental health conditions to better understand their current care journeys, their awareness of psychedelic therapy, and their openness to trying it.
A key insight emerged through these interviews: many individuals struggle to feel comfortable with a therapist. This challenge becomes even more significant in the context of psychedelic therapy, where a lack of connection can hinder the deep introspection necessary for healing. This insight challenged my initial assumption that trust in a therapist comes naturally due to their professional role. In practice, trust is built through genuine connection and a sense of psychological safety.
After organizing interview data into an affinity map, I identified three key themes around millennials’ difficulty finding the right therapist and hesitancy toward psychedelic therapy. These insights helped shape the 'How Might We' statement.
After secondary research, I interviewed millennials buying pre-owned designer goods to explore their pain points, motivations, and behavior. I then created an affinity map to organize raw data into key themes.
Key Themes
Following my secondary research, I conducted in-depth, decontextualized user interviews with individuals managing mental health conditions to better understand their current care journeys, their awareness of psychedelic therapy, and their openness to trying it.
A key insight emerged through these interviews: many individuals struggle to feel comfortable with a therapist. This challenge becomes even more significant in the context of psychedelic therapy, where a lack of connection can hinder the deep introspection necessary for healing. This insight challenged my initial assumption that trust in a therapist comes naturally due to their professional role. In practice, trust is built through genuine connection and a sense of psychological safety.
After organizing interview data into an affinity map, I identified three key themes around millennials’ difficulty finding the right therapist and hesitancy toward psychedelic therapy. These insights helped shape the 'How Might We' statement.
Trust Issues – Struggles to connect with therapists, leading to frustration with ineffective care
This led to my ‘How Might We’ statement...
How might we help American millennials with mental health disorders connect with trusted therapists to feel comfortable exploring psychedelic-guided therapy to improve their well-being?
User Persona
Experience Mapping
As I explored Mark’s persona, I reviewed competitive mental health apps to understand how users like him search for the right therapist. I focused on user actions and emotional drivers like skepticism and the need for trust. This analysis revealed friction points, such as poor therapist matching and lack of reassurance, along with opportunities to create a more supportive experience.
I analyzed competitor apps to understand user behaviors and emotional drivers, identifying friction points like poor matching and lack of reassurance, with opportunities for a more supportive experience.
Task Flow Planning
With the experience journey mapped, I refined the task flow by focusing on key decision points such as selecting therapy types, filtering specialties, and checking availability. I leveraged artificial intelligence to curate in-depth questions to gather meaningful user data without causing emotional overload. This approach will allow the AI to match users with therapists more effectively, ensuring a personalized experience that addresses their specific needs while keeping the process seamless and manageable.
After analyzing Stella's shopping experience, I created user stories based on her I refined the task flow around key decisions and used AI to gather deep user insights, enabling accurate therapist matches and a smooth, personalized experience.and goals. One focused on blockchain's role in the pre-owned market:
Ideate
After finalizing the task flow, I moved into ideation, gathering UI inspiration from therapy and AI-driven apps. I sketched the therapist match quiz screens, explored different approaches, and refined the strongest concepts into final solution sketches.
After finalizing the task flow, I gathered UI inspiration from therapy and AI apps, sketched quiz screens, explored concepts, and refined the best ideas into final solutions.
Prototype
With a working version in hand, I translated my solution sketches into low-fidelity wireframes to quickly map out structure and functionality without focusing on visuals yet.
With a working version in hand, I translated my solution sketches into low-fidelity wireframes to quickly map out structure and functionality without focusing on visuals yet.
Test
After creating a low-fidelity wireframe, I conducted two rounds of usability testing with five users each to observe how they interacted with the app. The goal was to identify friction points and opportunities to improve clarity and flow. Key revisions focused on simplifying the therapist match flow, clarifying button interactions, and providing more contextual information to support user understanding and emotional comfort.
Test
I created a low-fidelity wireframe and ran two usability tests with five users each to identify friction points and improve clarity. Revisions focused on simplifying the match flow, clarifying buttons, and adding context to support understanding and emotional comfort.
Usability Test Round 1
For my user testing, I selected participants who mirrored Stella. In a moderated session, I guided them through five key tasks, observing their behavior closely. As they interacted with the design, I gathered both qualitative insights andquantitative data.
Prioritization Matrix
After gathering feedback, I created a prioritization matrix to weigh each issue by impact and effort. This helped me identify the edits that would most improve the user experience.
V3 Wireframes
After the second round of usability testing, I modified the wireframe to enhance alignment with user needs.
Usability Test Round 2
Then, I tested the revised wireframes in a follow-up usability session.
Prioritization Matrix
Post-feedback, I created a prioritization matrix again to assess issues by impact and effort, helping me identify key edits and stay on track with the deadline.
V3 Wireframes
After the second round of usability testing, I modified the wireframe to enhance alignment with user needs.
Refine
With the prototype in place, the next step was to shape the visual identity of the app. I designed the brand to feel supportive, approachable, and trustworthy, qualities essential in the mental health space. I created a mood board and selected a calming, professional color palette to reflect emotional safety and care. The logo and visual elements were crafted to feel modern yet warm, aligning with core values of empathy, credibility, and personal connection.
Lo-Fi Prototype
Mood Board
Starting with a mood board to set the tone, I sourced images guided by the following words: Confident, Modern, Energized, Transparent, Polished, Effortless, and Playful.
Watermark
With the experience journey mapped, I refined the task flow around key decision points—like therapy type, specialty, and availability. I used AI to curate meaningful questions that gather deep user insights without emotional overload, enabling more accurate therapist matches and a seamless, personalized experience.
Manrope Regular
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Manrope Regular
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Color Exploration + Accessibility
I extracted colors from my mood board to define ARC’s core palette, choosing electric blue for tech and muted lavender-grey for luxury.
Using an accessible color contrast checker, I ensured clarity and balanced modern, blockchain-inspired tones with inviting shades for a comfortable shopping experience. The goal was to highlight innovation while ensuring ease for all users.
Refine
I created a low-fidelity wireframe and ran two usability tests with five users each to identify friction points and improve clarity. Revisions focused on simplifying the match flow, clarifying buttons, and adding context to support understanding and emotional comfort.
Brand Colors
Wordmark
Manrope Regular
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Manrope Regular
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Hi-Fi Prototype
After refining the design, I created the high-fidelity prototype—the final result that brought the app to life!
With the design refined, I created a high-fidelity prototype that brought the app to life and captured the full user journey.
Integrated Crisis Hotline
Provides real-time mental health support, enhancing safety and user confidence
Advanced User Profiling
Uses insightful, research-informed questions to capture key user information and support intelligent therapist matching
AI-Driven Matching Algorithm
Delivers the top three therapist options based on compatibility scores, communication style, specialization, and user preferences
KeyTake
aways
KeyTak aways
Millennials are navigating therapy with skepticism and emotional fatigue.
Many users shared experiences of poor therapist matching, unclear guidance, and a trial-and-error approach that left them frustrated and disengaged. These insights highlighted the emotional cost of ineffective mental health support.
AI can support deeper personalization without emotional overload.
To improve therapist matching, AI-curated questions were designed to gather meaningful personal insights while being mindful of users’ emotional state—balancing depth with empathy to enhance trust and relevance in results.
Visual design reinforces emotional safety
The app’s brand identity—through tone, color, and design elements—was intentionally crafted to feel warm, supportive, and credible, reinforcing the user’s need for emotional reassurance in a mental health context.
Millennials face therapy with skepticism: Users shared frustration with poor matches and unclear guidance, revealing the emotional cost of ineffective support.
AI personalizes with care: AI-curated questions gather meaningful insights without overwhelm, building trust through empathy.
Design fosters emotional safety: The brand’s tone, color, and visuals were intentionally chosen to feel warm, credible, and supportive, providing the emotional reassurance users need in a mental health setting.