Mined - Therapy on the go app

Mined
Therapy on the go app

Mined - Therapy on the go app

Inspiration: Growing up, I felt lost. As the eldest child in an immigrant household with divorced parents, navigating emotional struggles seemed impossible. Wanting to find motivation to work-out to keep myself distracted and happy felt like another hurdle – finding a gym, figuring out routines... Ugh. Then I discovered ClassPass! It was easy, convenient.

But, I know my mental health needed work. Therapy? that was a whole other story. Insurance nightmares, upfront costs, and endless searching for a good fit – it took forever and until this day I hesitate to find one because I know the process is difficult and expensive. What if therapy could be as simple and accessible as physical health?

Inspiration: Growing up, I felt lost. As the eldest child in an immigrant household with divorced parents, navigating emotional struggles seemed impossible. Wanting to find motivation to work-out to keep myself distracted and happy felt like another hurdle – finding a gym, figuring out routines... Ugh. Then I discovered ClassPass! It was easy, convenient.

But, I know my mental health needed work. Therapy? that was a whole other story. Insurance nightmares, upfront costs, and endless searching for a good fit – it took forever and until this day I hesitate to find one because I know the process is difficult and expensive. What if therapy could be as simple and accessible as physical health?

Inspiration: Growing up, I felt lost. As the eldest child in an immigrant household with divorced parents, navigating emotional struggles seemed impossible. Wanting to find motivation to work-out to keep myself distracted and happy felt like another hurdle – finding a gym, figuring out routines... Ugh. Then I discovered ClassPass! It was easy, convenient.

But, I know my mental health needed work. Therapy? that was a whole other story. Insurance nightmares, upfront costs, and endless searching for a good fit – it took forever and until this day I hesitate to find one because I know the process is difficult and expensive. What if therapy could be as simple and accessible as physical health?

Role

UI/UX Designer

UI/UX Designer

Duration

Duration

2 weeks

2 weeks

Industry

Mental Health

Mental Health

Platform

Mobile (iOS)

Mobile (iOS)

Tools

Figma, Miro, Canva

Figma, Miro, Canva

Google form, Zoom

Google form, Zoom

Challenge

Challenge

Challenge

For most people, prioritizing physical health feels natural. We have gyms, fitness apps, and readily available resources to support our physical well-being. However, accessing mental healthcare often feels like an uphill battle. Navigating complex insurance requirements, limited therapist directories, and a lack of user-friendly tools can be incredibly discouraging. This convoluted process prevents many individuals from taking the crucial first step towards mental wellness.

For most people, prioritizing physical health feels natural. We have gyms, fitness apps, and readily available resources to support our physical well-being. However, accessing mental healthcare often feels like an uphill battle. Navigating complex insurance requirements, limited therapist directories, and a lack of user-friendly tools can be incredibly discouraging. This convoluted process prevents many individuals from taking the crucial first step towards mental wellness.

For most people, prioritizing physical health feels natural. We have gyms, fitness apps, and readily available resources to support our physical well-being. However, accessing mental healthcare often feels like an uphill battle. Navigating complex insurance requirements, limited therapist directories, and a lack of user-friendly tools can be incredibly discouraging. This convoluted process prevents many individuals from taking the crucial first step towards mental wellness.

Solutions

Solutions

Solutions

A user-centric therapy app that breaks down those barriers and empowers individuals to effortlessly find the perfect therapist, making mental healthcare as easy and accessible as physical health.

  • Prioritize User Experience: Equip users with the tools to find a therapist who aligns with their specific needs, preferences, "just from a swipe" and "saved list" options for therapists that user is interested in.

  • Gamify the Journey: Integrate engaging gamification elements like earning streaks for completing check- ins, journaling entries, or mindfulness exercises. These features can help user engage with the app more often.

  • Token System: A token system with a pay-as-you-go option and a subscription model can reduce user commitment anxiety and encourage exploration.

A user-centric therapy app that breaks down those barriers and empowers individuals to effortlessly find the perfect therapist, making mental healthcare as easy and accessible as physical health.


  • Prioritize User Experience: Equip users with the tools to find a therapist who aligns with their specific needs, preferences, "just from a swipe" and "saved list" options for therapists that user is interested in.

  • Gamify the Journey: Integrate engaging gamification elements like earning streaks for completing check- ins, journaling entries, or mindfulness exercises. These features can help user engage with the app more often.

  • Token System: A token system with a pay-as-you-go option and a subscription model can reduce user commitment anxiety and encourage exploration.

A user-centric therapy app that breaks down those barriers and empowers individuals to effortlessly find the perfect therapist, making mental healthcare as easy and accessible as physical health.

  • Prioritize User Experience: Equip users with the tools to find a therapist who aligns with their specific needs, preferences, "just from a swipe" and "saved list" options for therapists that user is interested in.

  • Gamify the Journey: Integrate engaging gamification elements like earning streaks for completing check- ins, journaling entries, or mindfulness exercises. These features can help user engage with the app more often.

  • Token System: A token system with a pay-as-you-go option and a subscription model can reduce user commitment anxiety and encourage exploration.

Research

Research

Research

🌟Goal: Exploring problems Americans are facing when it comes to mental healthcare

🌟Goal: Exploring problems Americans are facing when it comes to mental healthcare

🌟Goal: Exploring problems Americans are facing when it comes to mental healthcare

More Americans report having unmet mental health needs because they can’t afford it, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. While affordability is still a top barrier to care, other obstacles are increasing.

More Americans report having unmet mental health needs because they can’t afford it, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. While affordability is still a top barrier to care, other obstacles are increasing.

More Americans report having unmet mental health needs because they can’t afford it, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. While affordability is still a top barrier to care, other obstacles are increasing.

To determine the optimal platform for therapy service, I conducted research comparing mobile apps and websites. My findings suggest that mobile apps offer significant benefits, including higher user engagement and conversion rates.

To determine the optimal platform for therapy service, I conducted research comparing mobile apps and websites. My findings suggest that mobile apps offer significant benefits, including higher user engagement and conversion rates.

To determine the optimal platform for therapy service, I conducted research comparing mobile apps and websites. My findings suggest that mobile apps offer significant benefits, including higher user engagement and conversion rates.

Surveys and Interviews

Surveys and Interviews

Surveys and Interviews

🌟Goal: Understanding the potential features user want to add, focusing on POC and immigrant family background.

🌟Goal: Understanding the potential features user want to add, focusing on POC and immigrant family background.

🌟Goal: Understanding the potential features user want to add, focusing on POC and immigrant family background.

Utilizing surveys and interviews I got from Google form and Zoom calls, I was able to uncover the potential user's frustrations and preferences.

Utilizing surveys and interviews I got from Google form and Zoom calls, I was able to uncover the potential user's frustrations and preferences.

Utilizing surveys and interviews I got from Google form and Zoom calls, I was able to uncover the potential user's frustrations and preferences.

I interviewed and gathered surveys from

  • 6 Females

  • 5 Males

  • Ages from 16-58

  • Asian/ Caucasian/ Hispanic

I interviewed and gathered surveys from

  • 6 Females

  • 5 Males

  • Ages from 16-58

  • Asian/ Caucasian/ Hispanic

I interviewed and gathered surveys from

  • 6 Females

  • 5 Males

  • Ages from 16-58

  • Asian/ Caucasian/ Hispanic

“ Honestly, I would love to work with someone who could relate to my background. So maybe another Asian woman born in the us to immigrant parents. I also have a hard time continuing using apps because I get bored easily, so maybe streak like Snapchat would be cool

“ Honestly, I would love to work with someone who could relate to my background. So maybe another Asian woman born in the us to immigrant parents. I also have a hard time continuing using apps because I get bored easily, so maybe streak like Snapchat would be cool

“ Honestly, I would love to work with someone who could relate to my background. So maybe another Asian woman born in the us to immigrant parents. I also have a hard time continuing using apps because I get bored easily, so maybe streak like Snapchat would be cool

Jessica, C

Jessica, C

Jessica, C

Female, 31 years old | Nurse

Female, 31 years old | Nurse

Female, 31 years old | Nurse

“ Maybe try out first, no money first. Someone who can speak Vietnamese. Something cheap and affordable and easy. Therapy too confusing ”

“ Maybe try out first, no money first. Someone who can speak Vietnamese. Something cheap and affordable and easy. Therapy too confusing ”

“ Maybe try out first, no money first. Someone who can speak Vietnamese. Something cheap and affordable and easy. Therapy too confusing ”

Tri, D

Tri, D

Tri, D

Male, 58 years old | Engineer

Male, 58 years old | Engineer

Male, 58 years old | Engineer

“ I would want the app to have features like therapists with specific areas that they counsel (marriage counseling, depression, etc etc) with testimonials. Daily check ins, motivational quotes, journaling. Helpful videos, links, articles and resources to learn more .”

“ I would want the app to have features like therapists with specific areas that they counsel (marriage counseling, depression, etc etc) with testimonials. Daily check ins, motivational quotes, journaling. Helpful videos, links, articles and resources to learn more .”

“ I would want the app to have features like therapists with specific areas that they counsel (marriage counseling, depression, etc etc) with testimonials. Daily check ins, motivational quotes, journaling. Helpful videos, links, articles and resources to learn more .”

Nora, M

Nora, M

Nora, M

Female, 16 years old | Student

Female, 16 years old | Student

Female, 16 years old | Student

“ Maybe online counseling so I don't have to go in and see them in person. I just want to be able to schedule appointments easily and find the right therapist. Oh and reviews are important to me”

“ Maybe online counseling so I don't have to go in and see them in person. I just want to be able to schedule appointments easily and find the right therapist. Oh and reviews are important to me”

“ Maybe online counseling so I don't have to go in and see them in person. I just want to be able to schedule appointments easily and find the right therapist. Oh and reviews are important to me”

Justin. L

Justin. L

Justin. L

Male, 35 years old | Entrepreneur

Male, 35 years old | Entrepreneur

Male, 35 years old | Entrepreneur

Takeaways

Takeaways

Takeaways

Understanding the time constraints of this project, using the user research I decided to prioritize these main key points for the MVP

  • Streamline the process of finding the right therapist

  • Enhance user retention by creating a valuable and engaging app experience

  • Empower users to test-drive the platform with flexible options before subscribing.

Understanding the time constraints of this project, using the user research I decided to prioritize these main key points for the MVP

  • Streamline the process of finding the right therapist

  • Enhance user retention by creating a valuable and engaging app experience

  • Empower users to test-drive the platform with flexible options before subscribing.

Understanding the time constraints of this project, using the user research I decided to prioritize these main key points for the MVP

  • Streamline the process of finding the right therapist

  • Enhance user retention by creating a valuable and engaging app experience

  • Empower users to test-drive the platform with flexible options before subscribing.

User Persona

User Persona

User Persona

🌟Goal: Present user research findings through a compelling narrative to drive informed decision-making.

🌟Goal: Present user research findings through a compelling narrative to drive informed decision-making.

🌟Goal: Present user research findings through a compelling narrative to drive informed decision-making.

Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

🌟Goal: Leveraging opportunities to innovate and develop unique features that set "Mined" apart.

🌟Goal: Leveraging opportunities to innovate and develop unique features that set "Mined" apart.

🌟Goal: Leveraging opportunities to innovate and develop unique features that set "Mined" apart.

Key Features

Key Features

Key Features

By analyzing competitor strengths and weaknesses, I identified key features that will differentiate Mined in the market. While many competitors offer valuable features, they often lack a holistic approach to wellness. To address this gap, Mined will integrate three unique features that the competitors do not have to create a comprehensive well-being experience for users.

  • Swipe-to-Match Live Therapy

  • Streak-Based Rewards Program

  • Daily Check-in and Daily Reflection

By analyzing competitor strengths and weaknesses, I identified key features that will differentiate Mined in the market. While many competitors offer valuable features, they often lack a holistic approach to wellness. To address this gap, Mined will integrate three unique features that the competitors do not have to create a comprehensive well-being experience for users.

  • Swipe-to-Match Live Therapy

  • Streak-Based Rewards Program

  • Daily Check-in and Daily Reflection

By analyzing competitor strengths and weaknesses, I identified key features that will differentiate Mined in the market. While many competitors offer valuable features, they often lack a holistic approach to wellness. To address this gap, Mined will integrate three unique features that the competitors do not have to create a comprehensive well-being experience for users.

  • Swipe-to-Match Live Therapy

  • Streak-Based Rewards Program

  • Daily Check-in and Daily Reflection

Information Architecture

Information Architecture

Information Architecture

Since this is the very beginning phase of designing the Mined app. I focused on mapping out core information for Mined to see how every feature will be connected as a whole. As much as I want to have all flow designed immediately, I want to focus on deploying the key feature of the app that helps us stand out, to deploy an MVP for testing. For this phase of the design, I'll focus perfecting the swiping feature and ensuring a complete user testing flow for live therapy booking.

Since this is the very beginning phase of designing the Mined app. I focused on mapping out core information for Mined to see how every feature will be connected as a whole. As much as I want to have all flow designed immediately, I want to focus on deploying the key feature of the app that helps us stand out, to deploy an MVP for testing. For this phase of the design, I'll focus perfecting the swiping feature and ensuring a complete user testing flow for live therapy booking.

Since this is the very beginning phase of designing the Mined app. I focused on mapping out core information for Mined to see how every feature will be connected as a whole. As much as I want to have all flow designed immediately, I want to focus on deploying the key feature of the app that helps us stand out, to deploy an MVP for testing. For this phase of the design, I'll focus perfecting the swiping feature and ensuring a complete user testing flow for live therapy booking.

Prioritizing MVP and Early Sketches

Prioritizing MVP and Early Sketches

Prioritizing MVP and Early Sketches

Due to the time constraint of the project, I decided to prioritize "Swipe-to-Match Live Therapy" for the MVP, based on the popular demand from user research for efficient instant therapist matching and booking. It tackles all of the 3 key findings from our research: reducing discovery friction and offering flexible exploration options while creating a valuable and engaging app experience .

Due to the time constraint of the project, I decided to prioritize "Swipe-to-Match Live Therapy" for the MVP, based on the popular demand from user research for efficient instant therapist matching and booking. It tackles all of the 3 key findings from our research: reducing discovery friction and offering flexible exploration options while creating a valuable and engaging app experience .

Due to the time constraint of the project, I decided to prioritize "Swipe-to-Match Live Therapy" for the MVP, based on the popular demand from user research for efficient instant therapist matching and booking. It tackles all of the 3 key findings from our research: reducing discovery friction and offering flexible exploration options while creating a valuable and engaging app experience .

I did a rapid, five-minute sketch to map out the essential user journey steps, ensuring the MVP effectively addresses user needs.

I did a rapid, five-minute sketch to map out the essential user journey steps, ensuring the MVP effectively addresses user needs.

I did a rapid, five-minute sketch to map out the essential user journey steps, ensuring the MVP effectively addresses user needs.

User Flow

User Flow

After mapping out the user flow for booking a therapist, I realized the complexity of it with potential sub-flows. To prioritize my "therapy on the go" value proposition for the MVP, I'll focus on the "book now" happy path for immediate live therapy booking. Appointment scheduling and other flows will be explored in the future phases!

Wireframing - Low Fidelity

Wireframing - Low Fidelity

Wireframing - Low Fidelity

I started designing the crucial pages for this flow which are "home" and therapist list" along with the sub features on the therapist page.

I started designing the crucial pages for this flow which are "home" and therapist list" along with the sub features on the therapist page.

I started designing the crucial pages for this flow which are "home" and therapist list" along with the sub features on the therapist page for testing to help improve the design.

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

🌟Goal: Uncovering any problems users encounter while interacting with the design to make iteration and improve user-experience.

🌟Goal: Uncovering any problems users encounter while interacting with the design to make iteration and improve user-experience.

🌟Goal: Uncovering any problems users encounter while interacting with the design to make iteration and improve user-experience.

I opted out for an interactive moderated test plan to understand their thought process and reaction to receive real- time feedback.

I opted out for an interactive moderated test plan to understand their thought process and reaction to receive real- time feedback.

I opted out for an interactive moderated test plan to understand their thought process and reaction to receive real- time feedback.

User Story:

As a user, I want to book an appointment with a therapist immediately so I can access therapy on-demand.

User Story:

As a user, I want to book an appointment with a therapist immediately so I can access therapy on-demand.

User Story:

As a user, I want to book an appointment with a therapist immediately so I can access therapy on-demand.

Tasks:

  • Search for a therapist who speaks English but has a Vietnamese background, age 36 and is available now

  • Use the match control panel on the bottom to help you find the right therapist

  • Select and Confirm a therapy session

Tasks:

  • Search for a therapist who speaks English but has a Vietnamese background, age 36 and is available now

  • Use the match control panel on the bottom to help you find the right therapist

  • Select and Confirm a therapy session

Tasks:

  • Search for a therapist who speaks English but has a Vietnamese background, age 36 and is available now

  • Use the match control panel on the bottom to help you find the right therapist

  • Select and Confirm a therapy session

Valuable Feedback:

  • Since therapist tab is the main feature, it should be in the middle of the bottom nav bar.

  • Should have a visualization of multiple therapist cards stacked to implying the swiping instead of just having one on the single page

  • Should have reviews under the name on the preview card instead of specialty

  • The swiping control panel should be on one line for easy navigation.

Successful Metrics:

  • ✓ 4.25 | 4.00+ avg rating for the search therapist task

  • ✗ 2.25 | 4.00+ avg rating for the match control panel

  • ✗ 3.5 | 4.50+ avg rating on the overall experience

  • ✓ 100% | 90%+ users complete entire flow

Valuable Feedback:

  • Since therapist tab is the main feature, it should be in the middle of the bottom nav bar.

  • Should have a visualization of multiple therapist cards stacked to implying the swiping instead of just having one on the single page

  • Should have reviews under the name on the preview card instead of specialty

  • The swiping control panel should be on one line for easy navigation.

Valuable Feedback:

  • Since therapist tab is the main feature, it should be in the middle of the bottom nav bar.

  • Should have a visualization of multiple therapist cards stacked to implying the swiping instead of just having one on the single page

  • Should have reviews under the name on the preview card instead of specialty

  • The swiping control panel should be on one line for easy navigation.

Successful Metrics:

  • ✓ 4.25 | 4.00+ avg rating for the search therapist task

  • ✗ 2.25 | 4.00+ avg rating for the match control panel

  • ✗ 3.5 | 4.50+ avg rating on the overall experience

  • ✓ 100% | 90%+ users complete entire flow

Successful Metrics:

  • ✓ 4.25 | 4.00+ avg rating for the search therapist task

  • ✗ 2.25 | 4.00+ avg rating for the match control panel

  • ✗ 3.5 | 4.50+ avg rating on the overall experience

  • ✓ 100% | 90%+ users complete entire flow

Style Guide

Style Guide

Style Guide

Check out my "Mined Design System" case study to learn more in depth about the visual design decisions I made for this app. here

Check out my "Mined Design System" case study to learn more in depth about the visual design decisions I made for this app. here

Check out my "Mined Design System" case study to learn more in depth about the visual design decisions I made for this app. here

Iterated and Final Design

Iterated and Final Design

Iterated and Final Design

🌟 Goal: Prioritizing user feedback to optimize the app's design.

🌟 Goal: Prioritizing user feedback to optimize the app's design.

🌟 Goal: Prioritizing user feedback to optimize the app's design.

Testing and Metrics

Testing and Metrics

Testing and Metrics

🌟  Goal:  Analyzing user feedback to target specific metrics currently underperforming and ensuring a smoother and more organized experience for users.

Successful Metrics:

  • ✓ 4.5 | 4.00+ avg rating for the search therapist task

  • ✓ 5.0| 4.00+ avg rating for the match control panel

  • ✓ 5.0 | 4.50+ avg rating on the overall experience

  • ✓ 100% | 90%+ users complete entire flow

🌟  Goal:  Analyzing user feedback to target specific metrics currently underperforming and ensuring a smoother and more organized experience for users.

Successful Metrics:

  • ✓ 4.5 | 4.00+ avg rating for the search therapist task

  • ✓ 5.0| 4.00+ avg rating for the match control panel

  • ✓ 5.0 | 4.50+ avg rating on the overall experience

  • ✓ 100% | 90%+ users complete entire flow

🌟  Goal:  Analyzing user feedback to target specific metrics currently underperforming and ensuring a smoother and more organized experience for users.

Successful Metrics:

  • ✓ 4.5 | 4.00+ avg rating for the search therapist task

  • ✓ 5.0| 4.00+ avg rating for the match control panel

  • ✓ 5.0 | 4.50+ avg rating on the overall experience

  • ✓ 100% | 90%+ users complete entire flow

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion

Looking back, I would have liked to incorporate a more comprehensive approach to user research. While user interviews and surveys provided valuable insights, I believe that utilizing methods like prioritization matrix and affinity mapping would have helped shorten the time spent on prioritizing features to deploy for the MVP.

By employing those techniques, I could have organized user ideas and thoughts more effectively. This would have allowed me to identify the project feasibility and ultimately would result in higher quality wireframes for testing. The user testing results would likely have been more insightful and would have cut down the time spent on figuring out which feature to prioritize.

Looking back, I would have liked to incorporate a more comprehensive approach to user research. While user interviews and surveys provided valuable insights, I believe that utilizing methods like prioritization matrix and affinity mapping would have helped shorten the time spent on prioritizing features to deploy for the MVP.

By employing those techniques, I could have organized user ideas and thoughts more effectively. This would have allowed me to identify the project feasibility and ultimately would result in higher quality wireframes for testing. The user testing results would likely have been more insightful and would have cut down the time spent on figuring out which feature to prioritize.

Looking back, I would have liked to incorporate a more comprehensive approach to user research. While user interviews and surveys provided valuable insights, I believe that utilizing methods like prioritization matrix and affinity mapping would have helped shorten the time spent on prioritizing features to deploy for the MVP.

By employing those techniques, I could have organized user ideas and thoughts more effectively. This would have allowed me to identify the project feasibility and ultimately would result in higher quality wireframes for testing. The user testing results would likely have been more insightful and would have cut down the time spent on figuring out which feature to prioritize.

Moving Forward

Moving Forward

Moving Forward

Next phase

  • Scheduling appointment flow

  • Phone call and Chat flow

  • Home page iteration

Next phase

  • Scheduling appointment flow

  • Phone call and Chat flow

  • Home page iteration

Next phase

  • Scheduling appointment flow

  • Phone call and Chat flow

  • Home page iteration

Following phases

  • On-boarding process (Sign-in, Sign-up)

  • Implementing Daily-Check in, Journaling

  • Rewards and Milestones

  • Calendar, Saved Lists and Profile

  • Wizards to guide first time user throughout the app

Following phases

  • On-boarding process (Sign-in, Sign-up)

  • Implementing Daily-Check in, Journaling

  • Rewards and Milestones

  • Calendar, Saved Lists and Profile

  • Wizards to guide first time user throughout the app

Following phases

  • On-boarding process (Sign-in, Sign-up)

  • Implementing Daily-Check in, Journaling

  • Rewards and Milestones

  • Calendar, Saved Lists and Profile

  • Wizards to guide first time user throughout the app

Possible features to consider

  • Adding appointment to phone/ Google Calendar

  • Online chat support 

  • Ai coach 

Possible features to consider

  • Adding appointment to phone/ Google Calendar

  • Online chat support 

  • Ai coach 

Possible features to consider

  • Adding appointment to phone/ Google Calendar

  • Online chat support 

  • Ai coach 

Thank you!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you!

Looking forward to hearing from you.