Learning how to cope with anxiety can be hard. How might we make existing resources more engaging and accessible?

A growing need for a facelift

MindShift CBT, a free mobile app for anxiety management, was launched way back in 2012 and was used by thousands of users all over the world. By 2018, the app was in need of an update.

When compared to other similar apps, like Pacifica and Headspace, we realized that the look and feel was needed an overhaul to keep up. In addition, big blocks of text sometimes overwhelmed users.

Problem #2

Group 1:

Users looking to practice coping independently

• Not motivated to learn new concepts

• Frustrated with the quality of free resources

• Overwhelmed by variety of resources

• Lack accountability to practice regularly

Group 2:

Users in client-therapist relationships

• Struggle to hand in worksheets

• Difficulty recalling info between sessions

• Want to make the most out of their time within sessions

My role

In this project, I worked as both a project lead and product designer. My main tasks included:

• Conceptualizing new flows via pen and paper wireframes

• Providing overall creative direction to visual designers

• Coordinating and editing all copy in collaboration with psychologists

• Leading 15+ user tests across different stages of development

• Scheduling and prioritizing new features with third-party development studio

I collaborated with:

• 1 project manager

• 1 UX designer

• 1 visual/UI designer

• 2 psychologists

• 1 marketing manager

Ideating on solutions

To start, we took inspiration from existing worksheets recommended by clinical psychologists, given that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is scientifically proven to manage anxiety.

For example, we took the “Realistic Thinking Form” and brainstormed how we might translate this worksheet into a screen flow.

Gathering feedback

We asked some youth in our community to run through the pen-and-paper wireframes.

After laying all the wireframes out on a table, we asked them to walkthrough the screen flow while thinking out loud, uncovering more wireframes as they went.

They would say things like:

“What’s a thought journal?”

“Why is this activity important?”

“What is a thinking trap and how does it relate?”

“I’m having trouble understanding how to make my thoughts more realistic.”

Formalizing the wireframes

In collaboration with the designers from FreshWorks Studio, we developed more formal wireframes, while also taking into account feedback we received in our initial user testing.

Throughout this process, I went back and forth between subject matter experts (psychologists), internal stakeholders, and the developers to ensure the content struck a good balance between being both clinically accurate and approachable/succinct.

Giving feedback on the visual design

Finally, I collaborated with the visual designer, giving them daily feedback to ensure a consistent look and feel.

... and repeat the above process for the rest!

But this was just one activity! We repeated the same process for every other new feature within the app. Check out the complete walkthrough of MindShift CBT.

Here are a few more examples:

Translation into a desktop experience

To increase accessibility to tools within MindShift and provide more options for users to use our content, I also conceptualized a desktop experience.

More advanced prototype coming very soon!

And what was the impact?

Up until now, MindShift has achieved:

• 370,000+ downloads post-revamp

• A peak of around 70,000 monthly active users

• A 4.3 average star rating on iOS app store

• A peak of #30 in the Health & Fitness category on the iOS App Store

Sharing with the community

Post-launch, I educated youth about MindShift through live app walkthroughs, workshops, and presentations at schools and conferences across Canada.

I always loved interacting with youth and mental health professionals and learning how the resources changed their lives and practices!