A communication portal for therapists and clients
Therapy that continues
beyond the session
7 minute Read
Project Type: Practicum; End-to-end App and
Website
Role: User Researcher and Designer
Collaborators: Ramya Ramaswamy, Krishna
Suresh, Tiffany Chen, & Xinran Li
Tools: FigJam, Figma, Google Meets, Dscout
Duration: Q2 2025
•ᴗ• Jump To Section
Project Type: Practicum; End-to-end App and
Website
Role: User Researcher and Designer
Collaborators: Ramya Ramaswamy, Krishna
Suresh, Tiffany Chen, & Xinran Li
Tools: FigJam, Figma, Google Meets, Dscout
Duration: Q2 2025
•ᴗ• Jump To Section
Clients lose momentum between sessions, often questioning whether therapy is truly effective.
Therapists are tied up with limited time and manual notes that disrupt care, while clients feel therapy ends at the session with little support in between. Together, these gaps create a disconnect that diminishes the true value of therapy - growth.
Therapists are tied up with limited time and manual notes that disrupt care, while clients feel therapy ends at the session with little support in between.
Therapists are tied up with limited time and manual notes that disrupt care, while clients feel therapy ends at the session with little support in between. Together, these gaps create a disconnect that diminishes the true value of therapy - growth.
Reliance on therapist time
Reliance on therapist time
Reliance on therapist time
Clients rely entirely on the hour they spend with their therapist to feel heard and supported.
Clients rely entirely on the hour they spend with their therapist to feel heard and supported.
The silence between sessions feels heavy
The silence between sessions feels heavy
The silence between sessions feels heavy
When there’s no follow-up or reflection between appointments, clients feel unseen and unsupported, unsure how to carry progress forward on their own.
When there’s no follow-up or reflection between appointments, clients feel unseen and unsupported, unsure how to carry progress forward on their own.
Too much to manage, not enough time
Too much to manage, not enough time
Too much to manage, not enough time
Juggling active listening with manual note-taking divides attention, causing missed details and disrupted emotional connection.
Juggling active listening with manual note-taking divides attention, causing missed details and disrupted emotional connection.
How Might We extend support beyond sessions while decreasing therapists’ workload so they can stay fully present with clients?
Clients lose momentum between sessions, often questioning whether therapy is truly effective.
Clients lose momentum between sessions, often questioning whether therapy is truly effective.
Therapists are tied up with limited time and manual notes that disrupt care, while clients feel therapy ends at the session with little support in between. Together, these gaps create a disconnect that diminishes the true value of therapy - growth.
Therapists are tied up with limited time and manual notes that disrupt care, while clients feel therapy ends at the session with little support in between. Together, these gaps create a disconnect that diminishes the true value of therapy - growth.
Therapists are tied up with limited time and manual notes that disrupt care, while clients feel therapy ends at the session with little support in between. Together, these gaps create a disconnect that diminishes the true value of therapy - growth.
Quick View
Quick View
Therapists said the few minutes between sessions aren’t enough to dig through notes. They need a quick snapshot of context, history, and priorities the moment they log in.
Therapists said the few minutes between sessions aren’t enough to dig through notes. They need a quick snapshot of context, history, and priorities the moment they log in.
"I only have 10 minutes before my next session, but I still need to pull up their notes and homework.”
-User, Therapist
"I only have 10 minutes before my next session, but I still need to pull up their notes and homework.”
-User, Therapist
In-Session Notes
Check-ins
Therapists balance listening, analyzing, and guiding while trying to remember key details. The AI-powered Journey Note captures sessions in real time and creates a structured draft for review later.
Clients crave light, emotionally supportive check-ins between sessions but therapists prefer to keep clinical communication within session time, creating a gap in expectations and capacity.
“One Clients usually takes me 30 minutes to write, and I have over 20 clients per week.”-User, Therapist
I want to check in between sessions, but it can’t take too much time."-User, Therapist
Therapist Progress View
Clients lose sight of their own progress and return feeling discouraged. Therapists need a easy to highlight past growth and offer timely encouragement that keeps clients motivated.
“Sometimes my clients don’t realize the progress they’ve made. I show them old notes just to remind them of how far they’ve come.” -User, Therapist
In-Session Notes
Therapists balance listening, analyzing, and guiding while trying to remember key details. The AI-powered Journey Note captures sessions in real time and creates a structured draft for review later.
“One Clients usually takes me 30 minutes to write, and I have over 20 clients per week.”-User, Therapist
Quick View
Therapists said the few minutes between sessions aren’t enough to dig through notes. They need a quick snapshot of context, history, and priorities the moment they log in.
"I only have 10 minutes before my next session, but I still need to pull up their notes and homework.”
-User, Therapist
AI Note Assistant
Therapists don’t have time to read through lengthy notes and often struggle to quickly locate specific events or patterns across sessions, making it hard to track progress or prepare efficiently.
"In order to stay engaged during session, I often rely on memory and take notes after the session ends.”
-User, Therapist
Client Progress View
Clients don’t want to be told they’re making progress they want to see it.
Airy’s reflections are calm and visual, revealing quiet signs of growth even when it’s hard to feel.
"sometimes it doesnt feel like im making progress, I wish I could see the progress being made" - User, Client
Nudges
Clients crave small reminders they’re not alone but don’t want to feel overdependent.
So, Airy offers gentle therapist-curated nudges, pre-filled prompts, and light check-ins that support without overstepping.
"Sometimes I forget what we talked about between sessions. I wish I got reminders" -User, Client
AI Note Assistant
Therapists don’t have time to read through lengthy notes and often struggle to quickly locate specific events or patterns across sessions, making it hard to track progress or prepare efficiently.
"In order to stay engaged during session, I often rely on memory and take notes after the session ends.”
-User, Therapist
Therapist Progress View
Clients lose sight of their own progress and return feeling discouraged. Therapists need a easy to highlight past growth and offer timely encouragement that keeps clients motivated.
“Sometimes my clients don’t realize the progress they’ve made. I find myself flipping through old notes just to remind them of how far they’ve come.” -User, Therapist
Client View Progress
Clients don’t want to be told they’re making progress they want to see it.
Airy’s reflections are calm and visual, revealing quiet signs of growth even when it’s hard to feel.
"sometimes it doesnt feel like im making progress, I wish I could see the progress being made" - User, Client
Check-ins
Clients crave light, emotionally supportive check-ins between sessions but therapists prefer to keep clinical communication within session time, creating a gap in expectations and capacity.
I want to check in between sessions, but it can’t take too much time."-User, Therapist
Nudges
Clients crave small reminders they’re not alone but don’t want to feel overdependent.
So, Airy offers gentle therapist-curated nudges, pre-filled prompts, and light check-ins that support without overstepping.
"Sometimes I forget what we talked about between sessions. I wish I got reminders" -User, Client
The Solution
The Solution
The Solution
The Solution
Interate, Iterate, and Iterate
We created a mid-fi prototype to test with therapists and clients, ensuring our research insights came to life visually and intuitively. After each iteration, we refined the experience based on feedback to validate core features and ensure the app fit seamlessly into real workflows.
What didn't work?
Overall, users liked the goal and structure of the web application, but our design began sparking new ideas they wanted to see implemented in the future iteration.
The AI summary alone didn’t meet therapists’ needs
Past session notes weren’t easily accessible for quick reference
Nudges couldn’t be customized during sessions, limiting flexibility
GAD scores weren’t visible alongside AI summaries, reducing context
Button labels felt too professional and not 'casual' enough for clients
The calendar view was overly detailed; clients only need to see their single weekly session
Clients wanted to see more than just affirmations and journal entries on the nudges screen
What did work?
Overall, users liked the goal and structure of the web application, but our design began sparking new ideas they wanted to see implemented in the future iteration.
Having today's overview and schedule visible on the landing page
Automatic client nudges were effective and well-received
The client dashboard clearly showcased progress over time
The tone and language on the therapist site felt appropriate and professional
The nudges screen on the client app was engaging
Thanks for visiting my case study!
Thanks for visiting my case study!
Check out the interactive Prototype below!
Check out the interactive Prototype below!
Alignment
One of 4 user flows
The Design
The Design
Alignment
We grounded each user flow in real therapist and client behaviors uncovered during research. By mapping design decisions to existing communication patterns, we ensured the app complemented their daily routines and reduced the friction of adopting new tools.
The Design
Design System
Design System
Design System
Design System
The nuances of research drive the strongest design outcomes.
Every interview, insight, and tension shaped Airy into what it became; a tool built on empathy, reflection, and evidence.
I’m so proud of my team and how we pushed each other to stay curious, grounded, and intentional, making the most of every conversation, every insight, and every late-night iteration across our 10-week practicum.
Initial User Research
We spoke with four licensed clinical psychologists, three clinical psychology graduate students, and seven current therapy clients.
The Research
We spoke with four licensed clinical psychologists, three clinical psychology graduate students, and seven current therapy clients.
…but therapists are already stretched thin trying to manage the time they have.
…but therapists are already stretched thin trying to manage the time they have.
The Research
The Research
The Research
The Research
Alignment
Alignment
Alignment
One of 4 user flows
The Design
The Design
The Design
Design System
Design System
Design System
We designed a system that feels calm, modern, and approachable, less like a clinical therapy hub and more like a supportive, light, and uplifting space. Soft gradients, clear typography, and gentle colors guide the entire experience.
Interate, Iterate, and Iterate
Interate, Iterate, and Iterate
Interate, Iterate, and Iterate
We created a mid-fi prototype to test with therapists and clients, ensuring our research insights came to life visually and intuitively. After each iteration, we refined the experience based on feedback to validate core features and ensure the app fit seamlessly into real workflows.
Design
Design
Design
What didn't work?
What didn't work?
What didn't work?
Overall, users liked the goal and structure of the web application, but our design began sparking new ideas they wanted to see implemented in the future iteration.
Past session notes weren’t easily accessible for quick reference
Nudges couldn’t be customized during sessions, limiting flexibility
GAD scores weren’t visible alongside AI summaries, reducing context
Button labels felt too professional and not 'casual' enough for clients
The calendar view was overly detailed; clients only need to see their single weekly session
Clients wanted to see more than just affirmations and journal entries on the nudges screen
What did work?
What did work?
What did work?
Overall, users liked the goal and structure of the web application, but our design began sparking new ideas they wanted to see implemented in the future iteration.
Having today's overview and schedule visible on the landing page
Automatic client nudges were effective and well-received
The client dashboard clearly showcased progress over time
The tone and language on the therapist site felt appropriate and professional
The nudges screen on the client app was engaging
Translating Therapist Feedback Into Real Features
Implementing the needs and wants from Therapists after user testing mid-fi screens.
Behold, the final iterations after 4 - 6 versions
Pops up immediately after client appointments.
Therapists can now custom create check-ins on call with clients.
Therapists recieve a session sum
Thanks for visiting my case study!
Thanks for visiting my case study!
Thanks for visiting my case study!
Check 0ut the interactive Prototype below!
Check 0ut the interactive Prototype below!
Check 0ut the interactive Prototype below!
Client and Therapist Prototypes
to navigate prototype
to restart
The nuances of research drive the strongest design outcomes.
Every interview, insight, and tension shaped Airy into what it became; a tool built on empathy, reflection, and evidence.
I’m so proud of my team and how we pushed each other to stay curious, grounded, and intentional, making the most of every conversation, every insight, and every late-night iteration across our 10-week practicum.
Next Project
Reroute Ready — Sponsored by Southwest Airlines
Reroute Ready — Sponsored by Southwest Airlines
Reroute Ready — Sponsored by Southwest Airlines
Reroute Ready — Sponsored by Southwest Airlines
Therapy that continues
beyond the session
A communication portal for therapists and clients
7 minute Read
Therapy that continues
beyond the session
A communication portal for therapists and clients
7 minute Read
Translating Therapist Feedback Into Real Features
Implementing the needs and wants from Therapists after user testing mid-fi screens.
Behold, the final iterations after 4 - 6 versions
Pops up immediately after client appointments.
Therapists can now custom create check-ins on call with clients.
Therapists recieve a session sum
Design System
We designed a system that feels calm, modern, and approachable, less like a clinical therapy hub and more like a supportive, light, and uplifting space. Soft gradients, clear typography, and gentle colors guide the entire experience.
