At a Glance
Role
UX/UI Designer,
UX Researcher,
Convo UX
Writer
Timeline
3 Weeks ·
Concept Exploration
Scope
Conversational UX,
Behavioral Design,
Emotional UX,
Interaction Design
Tools
Figma, ChatGPT, Behavioral Research &
Synthesis
At a Glance
Role
UX/UI Designer,
UX Researcher,
Convo UX
Writer
Timeline
3 Weeks · Concept Exploration
Scope
Convo UX,
Behavioral
Design,
Emotional UX,
Interaction
Design
Tools
Figma,
ChatGPT,
Behavioral Research &
Synthesis
The Problem
Most mental wellness platforms feel clinical, impersonal, or overwhelming—making it difficult for users to engage consistently or feel emotionally supported.
Users lacked:
Personalized, relatable self-care tools
Sustained motivation to stay engaged
Clear, low-friction ways to reflect and track emotional patterns
⟶
The Solution
MindBloom reimagines mental wellness as a creative, personalized experience—transforming self-care from a clinical task into an engaging, stigma-free journey.
By combining emotional design, behavioral psychology, and interactive tools, the platform supports reflection, motivation, and sustained engagement through a more human-centered approach.
The Problem
Most mental wellness platforms feel clinical, impersonal, or overwhelming—making it difficult for users to engage consistently or feel emotionally supported.
Users lacked:
Personalized, relatable self-care tools
Sustained motivation to stay engaged
Clear, low-friction ways to reflect and track emotional patterns
⟶
The Solution
MindBloom reimagines mental wellness as a creative, personalized experience—transforming self-care from a clinical task into an engaging, stigma-free journey.
By combining emotional design, behavioral psychology, and interactive tools, the platform supports reflection, motivation, and sustained engagement through a more human-centered approach.
At a Glance
Role
UX/UI Designer,
UX Researcher,
Convo UX
Writer
Timeline
3 Weeks ·
Concept Exploration
Scope
Conversational UX,
Behavioral Design,
Emotional UX,
Interaction Design
Tools
Figma, ChatGPT, Behavioral Research &
Synthesis
The Problem
Long-duration AI sessions are often emotionally immersive.
Users may be processing thoughts, regulating feelings, or seeking clarity.
Interruptions break emotional flow
Neutral prompts can trigger self-consciousness
Users may feel shame or “overuse” anxiety
Trust and continuity are disrupted
⟶
The Solution
Design check-ins as gentle, context-aware transitions instead of interruptions.
Emotionally aware microcopy
Soft, non-disruptive timing
User-controlled pacing
Optional, identity-safe connection pathways
Design in Context
Design in Context
Design in Context
How systems support users across moments of reflection, regulation, and reconnection.
How systems support users across moments of reflection, regulation, and reconnection.
How systems support users across moments of reflection, regulation, and reconnection.
Key Features
Key Features
Key Features
✔
✔
✔
Trauma-aware microcopy that reduces emotional friction
Trauma-aware microcopy that reduces emotional friction
Trauma-aware microcopy that reduces emotional friction
✔
✔
✔
Non-shaming, emotionally neutral tone to preserve trust
Non-shaming, emotionally neutral tone to preserve trust
Non-shaming, emotionally neutral tone to preserve trust
✔
✔
✔
Context-sensitive timing that respects user flow
Context-sensitive timing that respects user flow
Context-sensitive timing that respects user flow
✔
✔
✔
User-controlled pacing with clear opt-out options
User-controlled pacing with clear opt-out options
User-controlled pacing with clear opt-out options
✔
✔
✔
Integrated pathways to real-world connection
Integrated pathways to real-world connection
Integrated pathways to real-world connection
✔
✔
✔
Grounding interventions that encourage physical reset
Grounding interventions that encourage physical reset
Grounding interventions that encourage physical reset
Understanding the User
Understanding the User
Understanding the User
USER INSIGHTS
USER INSIGHTS
USER INSIGHTS
Informed by literature review and behavioral research on AI use for emotional processing and extended sessions.
Informed by literature review and behavioral research on AI use for emotional processing and extended sessions.
Informed by literature review and behavioral research on AI use for emotional processing and extended sessions.
Sargam, 19
She/They
Seatle, WA
First-generation college student
"AI helps me process what I can't always say out loud."
Sargam, 19
She/They
Seatle, WA
First-generation college student
"AI helps me process what I can't always say out loud."
Sargam, 19
She/They
Seatle, WA
First-generation college student
"AI helps me process what I can't always say out loud."
Core Needs
✔
Emotional processing without judgment
✔
Clarity during overwhelming thoughts
✔
Gentle guidance without interruption
✔
Bridge to real-world support (when ready)
Core Needs
✔
Emotional processing without judgment
✔
Clarity during overwhelming thoughts
✔
Gentle guidance without interruption
✔
Bridge to real-world support (when ready)
Core Needs
✔
Emotional processing without judgment
✔
Clarity during overwhelming thoughts
✔
Gentle guidance without interruption
✔
Bridge to real-world support (when ready)
Paint Points
Feels "too much" in human conversations
Sensitive to tone — easily triggered by shame cues
Inconsistent support from friends
Check-ins can feel intrusive or performative
Paint Points
Feels "too much" in human conversations
Sensitive to tone — easily triggered by shame cues
Inconsistent support from friends
Check-ins can feel intrusive or performative
Paint Points
Feels "too much" in human conversations
Sensitive to tone — easily triggered by shame cues
Inconsistent support from friends
Check-ins can feel intrusive or performative
Behavioral Patterns
✔
Long, late-night AI sessions
✔
Uses AI for both emotional + cognitive tasks
✔
Overthinks system messages
✔
Responds best to soft, validating microcopy
✔
Avoids transitions that feel abrupt or controlling
Behavioral Patterns
✔
Long, late-night AI sessions
✔
Uses AI for both emotional + cognitive tasks
✔
Overthinks system messages
✔
Responds best to soft, validating microcopy
✔
Avoids transitions that feel abrupt or controlling
Behavioral Patterns
✔
Long, late-night AI sessions
✔
Uses AI for both emotional + cognitive tasks
✔
Overthinks system messages
✔
Responds best to soft, validating microcopy
✔
Avoids transitions that feel abrupt or controlling
Design Implications
✔
Check-ins must feel optional, not corrective
✔
Microcopy should validate before redirecting
✔
Transitions should be gentle + reversible
✔
Support pathways should be user-initiated, not forced
Design Implications
✔
Check-ins must feel optional, not corrective
✔
Microcopy should validate before redirecting
✔
Transitions should be gentle + reversible
✔
Support pathways should be user-initiated, not forced
Design Implications
✔
Check-ins must feel optional, not corrective
✔
Microcopy should validate before redirecting
✔
Transitions should be gentle + reversible
✔
Support pathways should be user-initiated, not forced
Human-Centered Insights
Human-Centered Insights
Human-Centered Insights
INSIGHT
INSIGHT
INSIGHT
Key Insight
Key Insight
Key Insight
✨
✨
✨
During long sessions, AI stops feeling like a tool —
it becomes part of the user’s thinking process.
During long sessions, AI stops feeling like a tool —
it becomes part of the user’s thinking process.
During long sessions, AI stops feeling like a tool —
it becomes part of the user’s thinking process.
Thinking Partner
Thinking Partner
Thinking Partner
Emotional Outlet
Emotional Outlet
Emotional Outlet
Grounding Mechanism
Grounding
Grounding Mechanism
Safe, Nonjudgmental Space
Safe Space
Safe Space
Reflection Mirror
Reflection Mirror
Reflection Mirror
Decision Support System
Decision Support
Decision Support
TENSION
TENSION
TENSION
Check-ins must exist for:
Check-ins must exist for:
Check-ins must exist for:
Safety
Safety
Safety
Ethical AI Use
Ethical AI Use
Ethical AI Use
Overuse Prevention
Overuse Prevention
Overuse Prevention
But poorly designed prompts:
But poorly designed prompts:
But poorly designed prompts:
Break Emotional Continuity
Break Emotional Continuity
Break Emotional Continuity
Trigger Shame
Trigger Shame
Trigger Shame
Disrupt Trust
Disrupt Trust
Disrupt Trust
Check-ins must support — not disrupt — the user's emotional flow.
Check-ins must support — not disrupt — the user's emotional flow.
Check-ins must support — not disrupt — the user's emotional flow.
OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY
What if check-ins felt like support — not interruption?
What if check-ins felt like support — not interruption?
What if check-ins felt like support — not interruption?
Preserve emotional flow
Preserve emotional flow
Preserve emotional flow
Introduce gentle grounding
Introduce gentle grounding
Introduce gentle grounding
Offer optional connection
Offer optional connection
Offer optional connection
Respect user readiness
Respect user readiness
Respect user readiness
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Emotional safety
Emotional safety
Emotional safety
User agency
User agency
User agency
Avoding shame cues
Avoiding shame cues
Avoding shame cues
Support ≠ replacement
Support ≠ replacement
Support ≠ replacement
Proposed Design
Proposed Design
Proposed Design
The proposed system reframes check-ins as supportive, user-controlled moments.
The proposed system reframes check-ins as supportive, user-controlled moments.
The proposed system reframes check-ins as supportive, user-controlled moments.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
The goal isn’t to keep users in the system — it’s to help them leave it better.
The goal isn’t to keep users in the system — it’s to help them leave it better.
The goal isn’t to keep users in the system — it’s to help them leave it better.
Designing thoughtful, human-centered experiences.
© 2026 Amanda Sahaida’s Artistry, LLC
Designing thoughtful, human-centered experiences.
© 2026 Amanda Sahaida’s Artistry, LLC
Designing thoughtful, human-centered experiences.
© 2026 Amanda Sahaida’s Artistry, LLC