May–August 2023
Interaction Design
University of Cincinnati
A therapy search support web app, helping patients move through the process of finding a therapist, feeling both supported and encouraged along the way.
Problem Question
How might we support and increase clarity for mental health patients amidst the daunting task of searching for a well-fit therapist?
The Space
Primary research survey quotes confirming the need for support and knowledge.
An Ecosystem Map also helped narrow a product’s focus.
A User Journey visualized the emotional journey through a therapy search process, aiming to create a solution or an aid to minimize the number of patients getting to the disappointment and dismay phases.
Design Proposal
A support and preparation web-based tool that will help patients move through the process of finding a therapist, feeling both supported and encouraged along the way.
Goals
Benchmarking
TurboTax’s brand is friendly and easy to use while walking through the entirety of the process with the user. This attitude, ease, and closeness to the user are great aspects to bring into the therapy search space.
TurboTax goes through importing someone’s W-2 info alongside them, holding their had through each step — something I wanted to bring into this tool.
Prototype Test Research
Objectives — Solidify current or identify missing steps in the user flow.
Approach — A click-through prototype with user-led discussion.
Who — Two users with past therapist search experience.
Insights — Users helped rearrange subsection order or combine sections, emphasized the call/email script feature, aided friendly and understandable language, and distinguished possibly unneeded or fluff content.
Information Architecture
Moodboards + Style Frames
The visual concept is that searching for therapy is a journey, pulling inspiration from treasure maps, calming the open sea, travel and hiking adventures.
