2023
Creative Direction
UI/UX
Visual Identity
70% of individuals navigating mental health journeys also experience chronic physical conditions, demonstrating the beautiful interconnectedness of mind and body.
Wellnest embraces this connection, reimagining therapy with a holistic approach.
Our Problem
Many individuals seeking mental health support struggle to find comprehensive care that addresses the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. The current "mental health only" therapy model often leaves gaps in addressing the full spectrum of well-being.
70% of people with mental health conditions report experiencing at least one chronic physical health condition, like heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis. This highlights the strong link between our physical and mental health. Additionally, research shows that chronic inflammation, gut microbiome imbalances, sleep disturbances, and even vitamin deficiencies can contribute to mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety.
Our Goal
Wellnest bridge this gap by offering a holistic approach to therapy. Matching users with qualified holistic therapists who consider the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of well-being.
By leveraging AI and health data analytics, Wellnest personalize the therapy experience, providing users with a comprehensive view of their health and potential connections between their physical and mental well-being. This goes beyond traditional mental healthcare, empowering individuals to achieve holistic well-being.
The traditional "mental health only" approach is giving way to a new wave of holistic solutions driven by:
The Rise of Holistic Solutions
Scientific evidence
Research increasingly demonstrates the interconnectedness of mind and body, highlighting the impact of physical health on mental health and vice versa.
Patient demand
Individuals are seeking more holistic approaches to care that address their unique needs and preferences, recognizing the role of physical factors in their mental well-being.
Technological advancements
A.I. and telehealth technologies are enabling personalized care and remote access, making holistic solutions more accessible and convenient.
“73% of adults believe mental and physical health are connected, and 69% are interested in holistic treatment approaches.”
“...Predicts that the global telehealth market will reach $634 billion by 2027, signifying the growing adoption of remote healthcare solutions.”
By empowering individuals to take charge of their holistic well-being and providing access to qualified holistic therapists, personalized insights, and a comprehensive view of their health, Wellnest illuminates the interconnectedness between physical and mental aspects, revealing a clearer path toward true well-being.
Research
Highlights of User Interviews
“The stigma around mental health makes it hard enough to admit I need help, and the process of finding a therapist is just overwhelming. There's so little information about them, I never know if they'll be a good fit. It's just easier to put it off, even though I know I need to do something. That first step of booking feels like a mountain, and I always end up dropping it. ” - K.F.
“…I'm exhausted all the time, my stomach is never happy, and even the kids seem to drain my energy. My doctor just called it anxiety and depression, but medication made me feel like a zombie. I just want an alternative.” - M.G.
“Physical health and mental health is important to me, but I'm a busy mom.
It’s hard to navigate my family’s health and mine all scattered. It’s hard to manage as well. I want a solution that can simplify things for me and fit my crazy schedule. ” - C.L.
User interviews revealed a deep desire for a supportive and approachable mental health platform, particularly for first-time seekers. Quotes like, "The stigma and process are overwhelming," and "I want an alternative to medication that fits my busy schedule," highlight the need for destigmatizing access, holistic solutions, and user-friendly features. This suggests a platform should go beyond just therapist profiles and create a comprehensive, welcoming experience for individuals navigating mental health challenges.
Affinity Mapping
User interviews and subsequent affinity mapping painted a clear picture of what therapy seekers yearn for: clarity, convenience, and a holistic approach. The mapping provided a clear direction for transparent therapist profiles, as well as reducing stress for the process. For health integration, there were indications of a possibility in integrating primary care physicians and the therapist.
I’ve raised questions such as:
“What does this look like?”, “What’s the best way for PCP (primary care physician) and MHP (Mental health Practitioner, or Therapist) to connect?”, ”Does patient see the conversation between PCP and MHP?”
Here at this stage I’ve gathered that more research is needed to see if the integration of PCP and MHP is a logical and feasible way to continue in the development of Wellnest.
Challenge & Solution
Instead, with the strategies synthesis, I’ve found focus on integrating health data from existing apps like sleep trackers and fitness apps, offering a feasible and impactful solution that aligns with user needs for a holistic perspective within mental wellness. I’ve also found additional opportunities with A.I. chatbot integration to assist with matching of therapists, personalization and managing user expectations and real time interactions (especially important for users looking for mental health support). And a dashboard to integrate the health data and other information such as appointments and additional resources, thereby resolving the need for users looking for a integrated overview of their wellness in one setting.
Strategic Market Positioning: By concentrating on health data integration, Wellnest could position itself strategically in the market, offering a distinctive feature that sets it apart from competitors while addressing a key user need that was both attainable and valuable.
With the possibility of integrating primary care physicians directly into the platform, I’ve explored for options with a SWOT analysis, which revealed this was overly ambitious, and it will also morph the project scope away from mental health focused service.
User Persona: Meet Olivia
Name: Olivia Miller
Occupation: Marketing Manager
Location: Austin, TX
Marital Status: Married with 1 child (age 2)
Value & Beliefs
Prioritizes family well-being
Values preventative care and natural solutions, seeking alternatives to medication.
Recognizes the mind-body connection
Challenges
Difficulty addressing her own needs due to prioritizing family and work demands.
Frustration with unexplained physical symptoms and lack of answers from traditional medicine.
Overwhelmed by the abundance of holistic resources and unsure which ones are reliable.
Balancing the cost and time commitment of holistic approaches with family responsibilities.
Goals & Motivation
Find effective, holistic treatment for her depression and anxiety without medication
Manage physical symptoms and understand their connection to her mental health.
Improve her overall well-being and energy levels to be fully present for her family. Commitment to creating a stable and happy environment for her children.
Feel empowered to advocate for her health and make informed decisions about her treatment plan.
Health Concerns
History of depression, with recent depressive symptoms returning.
Physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and digestive issues with no clear medical explanation.
Diagnosed with anxiety and depression by her primary care doctor, but medication (SSRI) worsened her symptoms.
Triggers & Life Events
History of personal or family challenges (e.g., job loss, grief, relationship issues) that were not addressed due to busy schedule.
Feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, leading to increased physical symptoms like fatigue and headaches.
Needs & Expectations
Ability to find qualified holistic practitioners who specialize in treating depression and anxiety, considering physical symptoms as well.
Personalized recommendations and insights based on her individual needs and medical history.
Resources and tools that fit into her busy schedule and are affordable for her family.
A platform that integrates holistic healthcare with mental health support, addressing both mind and body concerns.
User Persona: Meet Robert
Name: Robert Zhang
Occupation: Designer
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Marital Status: Single
Value & Beliefs
Prioritizes mental health and well-being, seeking treatment to improve their state.
Places value on information and clarity, desiring transparency in therapy process and therapist qualifications.
Recognizes the mind-body connection.
Challenges
Overwhelmed by a large number of mental health support options and unsure how to choose the right one.
Experiences anxiety about confidentiality and privacy.
Discomfort talking to a stranger initially and difficulty building a therapeutic relationship.
Goals & Motivation
Wants to organize thoughts and hold themselves accountable through therapy.
Seeks feedback and suggestions from a therapist, including case studies and personal experiences.
Desires a non-judgmental and supportive therapeutic environment.
Health Concerns
Manages ongoing depression and anxiety, experiencing recent recurrence of symptoms.
Noted physical symptoms include fatigue, headaches, and digestive issues, possibly linked to emotional state.
Triggers & Life Events
Feels stressed and overworked in their career, potentially experiencing burnout or imposter syndrome.
Navigating challenges in personal relationships, adding to overall stress and emotional burden.
Needs & Expectations
Seeks information on specific therapy types and therapists' qualifications before committing.
Wants an easy-to-use platform for booking and managing appointments, reducing anxiety.
Prefers therapists with specific certifications or specialties related to their struggles.
Desires resources and features that are less anxiety-inducing and promote a smooth experience.
MVP Onboarding Flow
Future Iterations with Data Integration
The current MVP focuses on manual data selection, allowing users to choose specific data points from existing apps. This approach can provide valuable insights for initial testing. Future iterations will explore seamless data integration, enhancing the platform's capabilities and user experience.
Potential Solution
API Integrations: We are investigating the possibility of establishing secure API connections with popular health and fitness apps. This would enable automatic data transfer, streamlining the process for users and providing a more comprehensive view of their health data.
This onboarding experience is specifically designed for Wellnest's Minimum Viable Product (MVP). It focuses on the core functionalities of finding a therapist, booking an appointment, account creation, integrating your health data, and landing on the dashboard. Allowing us to gather valuable user feedback and validate key assumptions.
Product Hypothesis
This is the Problem:
Individuals seeking holistic mental healthcare struggle to find comprehensive care that addresses the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. The current "mental health only" therapy model often leaves gaps in addressing the full spectrum of well-being, neglecting the impact of physical health on mental health, and vice versa.
If we: Develop Wellnest, a platform that offers:
Holistic therapist matching
Connecting users with qualified therapists who consider the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of well-being.
Health data integration
Integrating health data from existing apps like sleep trackers and fitness apps to provide a comprehensive view of user health and potential connections between physical and mental well-being.
AI-powered features
Implementing an AI chatbot for therapist matching, personalization, and managing user expectations, alongside a user-friendly dashboard for health data visualization and appointment management.
Then we get: A more accessible and user-friendly platform that addresses the unmet needs of therapy seekers.
The results will be:
Improved user satisfaction, increased engagement with the platform, and potentially better mental health outcomes for users due to the holistic approach offered by Wellnest.