Mental Health Companion App
A wellness application that combines cognitive behavioral therapy techniques with habit tracking. Designed with clinical oversight to ensure therapeutic effectiveness.
Mental health apps often feel clinical and cold, leading to low engagement and quick abandonment. The client—a digital health startup backed by a major healthcare system—needed an app that felt warm and human while maintaining clinical rigor.
We partnered with licensed therapists and clinical psychologists throughout the design process. User research included 50+ interviews with people managing anxiety and depression. The design language uses soft gradients, organic shapes, and a carefully crafted voice that balances encouragement with authenticity.
The app achieved a 68% 30-day retention rate—more than double the health app industry average. Clinical trials showed a 31% improvement in PHQ-9 depression scores among active users. The app has been featured by Apple as an App Store Editor's Choice.
Clinical Design
Evidence-Based Features
Every feature is grounded in peer-reviewed research. The mood tracking system uses validated psychological instruments, and the journaling prompts are derived from proven CBT techniques.
Accessibility First
Mental health support should be accessible to everyone. We achieved WCAG AAA compliance and designed for users who may be experiencing cognitive fatigue or difficulty concentrating.
Privacy by Design
Health data is deeply personal. We implemented end-to-end encryption, gave users full data export capabilities, and ensured HIPAA compliance from day one.