Support that fits you
Support that fits you
At-A-Glance
At-A-Glance
Blossom is a student-centered mental health app designed to increase trust, transparency, and accessibility in therapy. By addressing scheduling friction and personalization gaps common in existing services, Blossom reimagines what compassionate care looks like for today’s overwhelmed college students.
Blossom is a student-centered mental health app designed to increase trust, transparency, and accessibility in therapy. By addressing scheduling friction and personalization gaps common in existing services, Blossom reimagines what compassionate care looks like for today’s overwhelmed college students.
Problem
Therapy is everywhere—but still out of reach
As a college student, I’ve seen too many peers feel lost trying to navigate therapy apps that promise support but fall short. Digital therapy seems more accessible than ever, yet many platforms lack transparency, long-term engagement, and a sense of credibility that students can trust.
What should we focus on to make therapy apps work for students?
Solution
A more honest path to mental support
Through research and reflection, I realized that accessibility isn’t enough. Students need transparency, agency, and clarity in their therapy journey. My goal became designing a solution that centers student needs, encourages follow-through, and builds trust through clear design and thoughtful interaction.
Blossom starts
here
Blossom is a student-centered therapy matching app that bridges the gap
between college students and accessible mental health care. Designed with transparency, engagement, and credibility in mind, it offers personalized therapist discovery, clear cancellation policies, and thoughtful scheduling tools.
01.Discover
Secondary Research
Before designing Blossom, I focused on understanding the real frustrations students face with mental health support apps. In this early phase, I aimed to uncover the underlying behaviors and gaps shaping how students currently interact with therapy platforms.
Before designing Blossom, I focused on understanding the real frustrations students face with mental health support apps. In this early phase, I aimed to uncover the underlying behaviors and gaps shaping how students currently interact with therapy platforms.
Competitor Analysis
I started off by researching competitor services that provide the same concepts as my proposed product.
User Surveying & Initial Interview
I had the privilege to interview 5 students & surveying 5 others who have tried self-guided therapy while forming meaningful connections beyond surface-level data. Many participants shared how current platforms left them feeling unsupported, overwhelmed, or mistrustful. These insights deepened my empathy for student users navigating the complexities of mental healthcare.
I had the privilege to interview 5 students & surveying 5 others who have tried self-guided therapy while forming meaningful connections beyond surface-level data. Many participants shared how current platforms left them feeling unsupported, overwhelmed, or mistrustful. These insights deepened my empathy for student users navigating the complexities of mental healthcare.
Highlights
100%
Motivation & engagement are key to staying consistent with therapy apps.
“Features that encourage stronger therapeutic alliances… consistent check-in tools of shared goal-setting… would help a lot” (Interviewee)
75%
Current therapy apps lack personalization for busy students.
“When I first started using [Calm] it never really asked for what my preferences were.
I had to go through a lot of trial-and-error on the guided meditations” (Interviewee)
75%
Cost & rigid cancellation policies deter students from seeking help.
“There’s no system to flag ghosting behavior… both from therapists and clients” (Interviewee)
Screener Survey
X 5
• 66.7% of students reported experiencing cancellations or ghosting from a therapist.
• 70% currently pay for therapy through insurance, while 30% access free services under university programs with therapists in training.
• 66.7% believe therapy is not affordable for students.
• Many expressed that cancellations and trust issues discourage them from continuing therapy.
Other valuable insights
Highlights
100%
Motivation & engagement are key to staying consistent with therapy apps.
“Features that encourage stronger therapeutic alliances… consistent check-in tools of shared goal-setting… would help a lot” (Interviewee)
75%
Current therapy apps lack personalization for busy students.
“When I first started using [Calm] it never really asked for what my preferences were.
I had to go through a lot of trial-and-error on the guided meditations” (Interviewee)
75%
Cost & rigid cancellation policies deter students from seeking help.
“There’s no system to flag ghosting behavior… both from therapists and clients” (Interviewee)
Screener Survey
X 5
• 66.7% of students reported experiencing cancellations or ghosting from a therapist.
• 70% currently pay for therapy through insurance, while 30% access free services under university programs with therapists in training.
• 66.7% believe therapy is not affordable for students.
• Many expressed that cancellations and trust issues discourage them from continuing therapy.
Other valuable insights
Highlights
100%
Motivation & engagement are key to staying consistent with therapy apps.
“Features that encourage stronger therapeutic alliances… consistent check-in tools of shared goal-setting… would help a lot” (Interviewee)
75%
Current therapy apps lack personalization for busy students.
“When I first started using [Calm] it never really asked for what my preferences were.
I had to go through a lot of trial-and-error on the guided meditations” (Interviewee)
75%
Cost & rigid cancellation policies deter students from seeking help.
“There’s no system to flag ghosting behavior… both from therapists and clients” (Interviewee)
Screener Survey
X 5
• 66.7% of students reported experiencing cancellations or ghosting from a therapist.
• 70% currently pay for therapy through insurance, while 30% access free services under university programs with therapists in training.
• 66.7% believe therapy is not affordable for students.
• Many expressed that cancellations and trust issues discourage them from continuing therapy.
Other valuable insights
Highlights
100%
Motivation & engagement are key to staying consistent with therapy apps.
“Features that encourage stronger therapeutic alliances… consistent check-in tools of shared goal-setting… would help a lot” (Interviewee)
75%
Current therapy apps lack personalization for busy students.
“When I first started using [Calm] it never really asked for what my preferences were.
I had to go through a lot of trial-and-error on the guided meditations” (Interviewee)
75%
Cost & rigid cancellation policies deter students from seeking help.
“There’s no system to flag ghosting behavior… both from therapists and clients” (Interviewee)
Screener Survey
X 5
• 66.7% of students reported experiencing cancellations or ghosting from a therapist.
• 70% currently pay for therapy through insurance, while 30% access free services under university programs with therapists in training.
• 66.7% believe therapy is not affordable for students.
• Many expressed that cancellations and trust issues discourage them from continuing therapy.
Other valuable insights
Secondary Research Summary
Persona #2
02.Empathize
User Personas
I created two distinct student personas to reflect the diverse experiences and challenges students face when navigating campus life. These personas served as grounding reference points throughout the product roadmap, helping me design with intention and empathy.
Persona #1
Storyboards
To bring my ideas to life, I illustrated a storyboard that captured the user journey and showed how someone might interact with key features in real-world scenarios. The storyboard didn’t just visualize possibilities but it grounded the vision in real student experiences.
Scenario #1: Ali finds his ideal online therapist
Scenario #2: Tracy finds budget-friendly therapy
03.Ideate
Sketches
After research, I sketched out early ideas for the app’s user flow & structure, exploring layouts & features before moving into wireframes.
04.Prototype
Lo-Fi Wireframing
I produced wireframes for multiple design variations for feedback and testing
Style Guide
Implementing Feedback
Placed the back button where users have the option to change their answers/ exit
Increased the boldness of critical information for better visual standout
Reduced the vibrant background & increased the text contrast for better readability
05. Reflection
What I learned
What I learned
1.Research drives targeted solutions
I initially approached the project wanting to solve multiple mental health challenges for a wide range of people. Through extensive research, competitive analysis, literature review, and peer insight I learned the importance of narrowing my focus to a specific audience. This shift allowed me to design more relevant and impactful solutions.
2.Translate research into actionable design
While my research was visually cohesive and thorough, I realized that synthesis is just as important as collection. Feedback showed that I needed to distill insights into clear, strategic design directions rather than covering too many loosely connected problems.
3.Test earlier and let users lead
Usability testing highlighted how guiding testers too much can mask real usability issues. I learned the value of low-fidelity testing early in the process to catch design gaps before committing to hi-fi details.
1.Research drives targeted solutions
I initially approached the project wanting to solve multiple mental health challenges for a wide range of people. Through extensive research, competitive analysis, literature review, and peer insight I learned the importance of narrowing my focus to a specific audience. This shift allowed me to design more relevant and impactful solutions.
2.Translate research into actionable design
While my research was visually cohesive and thorough, I realized that synthesis is just as important as collection. Feedback showed that I needed to distill insights into clear, strategic design directions rather than covering too many loosely connected problems.
3.Test earlier and let users lead
Usability testing highlighted how guiding testers too much can mask real usability issues. I learned the value of low-fidelity testing early in the process to catch design gaps before committing to hi-fi details.
Next Steps
Next Steps
1.Refine visual clarity
Introduce more color variation to reduce the dominance of green and improve contrast. Adjust font weight and size for better readability.
2.Add real-time support
Implement a 24-hour secure messaging system that connects users with their therapists or platform support, ensuring timely responses and increasing trust in the service
3.Enhance journal personalization
Add a voice message option in the journal section, allowing users to record reflections instead of typing for a more personal and accessible experience.
1.Refine visual clarity
Introduce more color variation to reduce the dominance of green and improve contrast. Adjust font weight and size for better readability.
2.Add real-time support
Implement a 24-hour secure messaging system that connects users with their therapists or platform support, ensuring timely responses and increasing trust in the service
3.Enhance journal personalization
Add a voice message option in the journal section, allowing users to record reflections instead of typing for a more personal and accessible experience.
High Fidelity Design
Onboarding — find your right fit
Onboarding — find your right fit
• Filter by budget, insurance, cancellation policy, and therapy format to find your
perfect fit.
• Explore transparent therapist profiles with specialties, experience, languages, and reviews.
• Match with your top 3 tailored recommendations through a smart algorithm that puts you in control.
• Filter by budget, insurance, cancellation policy, and therapy format to find your
perfect fit.
• Explore transparent therapist profiles with specialties, experience, languages, and reviews.
• Match with your top 3 tailored recommendations through a smart algorithm that puts you in control.
Booking — every detail shown upfront
Booking — every detail shown upfront
• View clear pricing, refund terms, and cancellation levels before committing, so you know exactly what you’re paying for
• Compare verified therapists by credentials, specialties, languages, and match percentage to find the right fit.
• Select from flexible session formats: video/ phone/call to match your schedule and comfort level.
• View clear pricing, refund terms, and cancellation levels before committing, so you know exactly what you’re paying for
• Compare verified therapists by credentials, specialties, languages, and match percentage to find the right fit.
• Select from flexible session formats: video/ phone/call to match your schedule and comfort level.
Support beyond sessions — tools for daily growth
Support beyond sessions — tools for daily growth
• Track your mood & journal reflections to better understand patterns in your mental
well-being.
• Read curated articles on disorders, anxiety, and other conditions to stay informed and empowered.
• View recommended therapists and schedule sessions directly, keeping care and education in one place.
• Track your mood & journal reflections to better understand patterns in your mental health.
• Read curated articles on disorders, anxiety, & other conditions to stay informed and empowered.
• View recommended therapists and schedule sessions directly, keeping care & education in one place.
Usability Testing
I conducted a usability test with five users in my target demographic using the prototype to see how user friendly the app functions,
Pain Points
• Users couldn’t exit the onboarding screen due to a missing close button.
• Appointment time and date were hard to read on the “Confirm and Pay” screen.
• White text on green backgrounds reduced readability for some users.
Positive Feedback
• The therapist-matching flow felt
smooth, intuitive, and helpful.
• Users liked the calm visuals and accessible color palette.
• Booking a session was described as “simple and seamless”.
#1: Student’s Mental Health Crisis
College students are facing a mental health epidemic, with 7 out of 10 reporting mental health challenges. The most common diagnoses include anxiety (36%), depression/mood disorders (30%), and trauma-related disorders (10%). Many of these issues begin in adolescence and persist into early adulthood. Suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and substance use are also alarmingly present, signaling a deep need for consistent mental health care on campuses.
Despite the growing demand, students report frequent cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and feeling emotionally abandoned by therapists. Many users pay for services they cannot regularly access, leading to increased distrust in digital platforms. Additionally, users often find that apps don’t align with their day-to-day realities, leaving them unsupported during critical moments. This disconnect reinforces the idea that existing tools don’t fully meet student needs.
#2: Support That Doesn’t Show Up
Although awareness of mental health apps is relatively high, actual engagement remains low especially with newer tools like chatbots or self-guided interventions. Students cite concerns around privacy, transparency, and lack of personalization. Evidence-based features like mood tracking and guided meditations are appreciated, but many apps lack scientific validation or user-centered design. As a result, digital tools are seen as inconsistent, impersonal, and often not worth the effort.
#3: The Trust Gap in Mental Health Tech
#1: Student’s Mental Health Crisis
College students are facing a mental health epidemic, with 7 out of 10 reporting mental health challenges. The most common diagnoses include anxiety (36%), depression/mood disorders (30%), and trauma-related disorders (10%). Many of these issues begin in adolescence and persist into early adulthood. Suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and substance use are also alarmingly present, signaling a deep need for consistent mental health care on campuses.
Despite the growing demand, students report frequent cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and feeling emotionally abandoned by therapists. Many users pay for services they cannot regularly access, leading to increased distrust in digital platforms. Additionally, users often find that apps don’t align with their day-to-day realities, leaving them unsupported during critical moments. This disconnect reinforces the idea that existing tools don’t fully meet student needs.
#2: Support That Doesn’t Show Up
Although awareness of mental health apps is relatively high, actual engagement remains low especially with newer tools like chatbots or self-guided interventions. Students cite concerns around privacy, transparency, and lack of personalization. Evidence-based features like mood tracking and guided meditations are appreciated, but many apps lack scientific validation or user-centered design. As a result, digital tools are seen as inconsistent, impersonal, and often not worth the effort.
#3: The Trust Gap in Mental Health Tech
#1: Student’s Mental Health Crisis
College students are facing a mental health epidemic, with 7 out of 10 reporting mental health challenges. The most common diagnoses include anxiety (36%), depression/mood disorders (30%), and trauma-related disorders (10%). Many of these issues begin in adolescence and persist into early adulthood. Suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and substance use are also alarmingly present, signaling a deep need for consistent mental health care on campuses.
Despite the growing demand, students report frequent cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and feeling emotionally abandoned by therapists. Many users pay for services they cannot regularly access, leading to increased distrust in digital platforms. Additionally, users often find that apps don’t align with their day-to-day realities, leaving them unsupported during critical moments. This disconnect reinforces the idea that existing tools don’t fully meet student needs.
#2: Support That Doesn’t Show Up
Although awareness of mental health apps is relatively high, actual engagement remains low especially with newer tools like chatbots or self-guided interventions. Students cite concerns around privacy, transparency, and lack of personalization. Evidence-based features like mood tracking and guided meditations are appreciated, but many apps lack scientific validation or user-centered design. As a result, digital tools are seen as inconsistent, impersonal, and often not worth the effort.
#3: The Trust Gap in Mental Health Tech
#1: Student’s Mental Health Crisis
College students are facing a mental health epidemic, with 7 out of 10 reporting mental health challenges. The most common diagnoses include anxiety (36%), depression/mood disorders (30%), and trauma-related disorders (10%). Many of these issues begin in adolescence and persist into early adulthood. Suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and substance use are also alarmingly present, signaling a deep need for consistent mental health care on campuses.
Despite the growing demand, students report frequent cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and feeling emotionally abandoned by therapists. Many users pay for services they cannot regularly access, leading to increased distrust in digital platforms. Additionally, users often find that apps don’t align with their day-to-day realities, leaving them unsupported during critical moments. This disconnect reinforces the idea that existing tools don’t fully meet student needs.
#2: Support That Doesn’t Show Up
Although awareness of mental health apps is relatively high, actual engagement remains low especially with newer tools like chatbots or self-guided interventions. Students cite concerns around privacy, transparency, and lack of personalization. Evidence-based features like mood tracking and guided meditations are appreciated, but many apps lack scientific validation or user-centered design. As a result, digital tools are seen as inconsistent, impersonal, and often not worth the effort.
#3: The Trust Gap in Mental Health Tech
01.Discover
02.Empathize
User Personas
I created two distinct student personas to reflect the diverse experiences and challenges students face when navigating campus life. These personas served as grounding reference points throughout the product roadmap, helping me design with intention and empathy.
Persona #1
Problem
Therapy is everywhere—but still out of reach
As a college student, I’ve seen too many peers feel lost trying to navigate therapy apps that promise support but fall short. Digital therapy seems more accessible than ever, yet many platforms lack transparency, long-term engagement, and a sense of credibility that students can trust.
What should we focus on to make therapy apps work for students?
Solution
A more honest path to mental support
Through research and reflection, I realized that accessibility isn’t enough. Students need transparency, agency, and clarity in their therapy journey. My goal became designing a solution that centers student needs, encourages follow-through, and builds trust
through clear design and thoughtful interaction.
Solo Project
My Role
Timeline
Tools
Solo Project
My Role
Timeline
Tools
UX/UI Designer,
UX Researcher
Jul - Aug 2025
Figma, FigJam,
Google Suite
Storyboards
To bring my ideas to life, I illustrated a storyboard that captured the user journey and showed how someone might interact with key features in real-world scenarios. The storyboard didn’t just visualize possibilities but it grounded the vision in real student experiences.
Blossom starts
here
Blossom is a student-centered therapy matching app that bridges the gap between college students and accessible mental health care. Designed with transparency, engagement, and credibility in mind, it offers personalized therapist discovery, clear cancellation policies, and thoughtful scheduling tools.
Scenario #1: Ali finds his ideal online therapist
Scenario #2: Tracy finds budget-friendly therapy
03.Ideate
Sketches
After research, I sketched out early ideas for the app’s user flow & structure, exploring layouts & features before moving into wireframes.
04.Prototype
Lo-Fi Wireframing
I produced wireframes for multiple design variations for feedback and testing
Style Guide
Usability Testing
I conducted a usability test with five users in my target demographic using the prototype to see how user friendly the app functions,
Pain Points
• Users couldn’t exit the onboarding screen due to a missing close button.
• Appointment time and date were hard to read on the “Confirm and Pay” screen.
• White text on green backgrounds reduced readability for some users.
Positive Feedback
• The therapist-matching flow felt
smooth, intuitive, and helpful.
• Users liked the calm visuals and accessible color palette.
• Booking a session was described as “simple and seamless”.
Implementing Feedback
Reduced the vibrant background & increased the text contrast for better readability
Increased the boldness of critical information for better visual standout
Placed the back button where users have the option to change their answers/ exit
UX/UI Designer,
UX Researcher
Jul - Aug 2025
Figma, FigJam,
Google Suite
Persona #2
Problem
Therapy is everywhere—but still out of reach
As a college student, I’ve seen too many peers feel lost trying to navigate therapy apps that promise support but fall short. Digital therapy seems more accessible than ever, yet many platforms lack transparency, long-term engagement, and a sense of credibility that students can trust.
What should we focus on to make therapy apps work for students?
Solution
A more honest path to mental support
Through research and reflection, I realized that accessibility isn’t enough. Students need transparency, agency, and clarity in their therapy journey. My goal became designing a solution that centers student needs, encourages follow-through, and builds trust
through clear design and thoughtful interaction.
Blossom starts
here
Blossom is a student-centered therapy matching app that bridges the gap between college students and accessible mental health care. Designed with transparency, engagement, and credibility in mind, it offers personalized therapist discovery, clear cancellation policies, and thoughtful scheduling tools.
01.Discover
Secondary Research
Before designing Blossom, I focused on understanding the real frustrations students face with mental health support apps. In this early phase, I aimed to uncover the underlying behaviors and gaps shaping how students currently interact with therapy platforms.
#1: Student’s Mental Health Crisis
College students are facing a mental health epidemic, with 7 out of 10 reporting mental health challenges. The most common diagnoses include anxiety (36%), depression/mood disorders (30%), and trauma-related disorders (10%). Many of these issues begin in adolescence and persist into early adulthood. Suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and substance use are also alarmingly present, signaling a deep need for consistent mental health care on campuses.
#2: Support That Doesn’t Show Up
Despite the growing demand, students report frequent cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and feeling emotionally abandoned by therapists. Many users pay for services they cannot regularly access, leading to increased distrust in digital platforms. Additionally, users often find that apps don’t align with their day-to-day realities, leaving them unsupported during critical moments. This disconnect reinforces the idea that existing tools don’t fully meet student needs.
#3: The Trust Gap in Mental Health Tech
Although awareness of mental health apps is relatively high, actual engagement remains low especially with newer tools like chatbots or self-guided interventions. Students cite concerns around privacy, transparency, and lack of personalization. Evidence-based features like mood tracking and guided meditations are appreciated, but many apps lack scientific validation or user-centered design. As a result, digital tools are seen as inconsistent, impersonal, and often not worth the effort.
#1: Student’s Mental Health Crisis
College students are facing a mental health epidemic, with 7 out of 10 reporting mental health challenges. The most common diagnoses include anxiety (36%), depression/mood disorders (30%), and trauma-related disorders (10%). Many of these issues begin in adolescence and persist into early adulthood. Suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and substance use are also alarmingly present, signaling a deep need for consistent mental health care on campuses.
#2: Support That Doesn’t Show Up
Despite the growing demand, students report frequent cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and feeling emotionally abandoned by therapists. Many users pay for services they cannot regularly access, leading to increased distrust in digital platforms. Additionally, users often find that apps don’t align with their day-to-day realities, leaving them unsupported during critical moments. This disconnect reinforces the idea that existing tools don’t fully meet student needs.
#3: The Trust Gap in Mental Health Tech
Although awareness of mental health apps is relatively high, actual engagement remains low especially with newer tools like chatbots or self-guided interventions. Students cite concerns around privacy, transparency, and lack of personalization. Evidence-based features like mood tracking and guided meditations are appreciated, but many apps lack scientific validation or user-centered design. As a result, digital tools are seen as inconsistent, impersonal, and often not worth the effort.
#1: Student’s Mental Health Crisis
College students are facing a mental health epidemic, with 7 out of 10 reporting mental health challenges. The most common diagnoses include anxiety (36%), depression/mood disorders (30%), and trauma-related disorders (10%). Many of these issues begin in adolescence and persist into early adulthood. Suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and substance use are also alarmingly present, signaling a deep need for consistent mental health care on campuses.
#2: Support That Doesn’t Show Up
Despite the growing demand, students report frequent cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and feeling emotionally abandoned by therapists. Many users pay for services they cannot regularly access, leading to increased distrust in digital platforms. Additionally, users often find that apps don’t align with their day-to-day realities, leaving them unsupported during critical moments. This disconnect reinforces the idea that existing tools don’t fully meet student needs.
#3: The Trust Gap in Mental Health Tech
Although awareness of mental health apps is relatively high, actual engagement remains low especially with newer tools like chatbots or self-guided interventions. Students cite concerns around privacy, transparency, and lack of personalization. Evidence-based features like mood tracking and guided meditations are appreciated, but many apps lack scientific validation or user-centered design. As a result, digital tools are seen as inconsistent, impersonal, and often not worth the effort.
#1: Student’s Mental Health Crisis
College students are facing a mental health epidemic, with 7 out of 10 reporting mental health challenges. The most common diagnoses include anxiety (36%), depression/mood disorders (30%), and trauma-related disorders (10%). Many of these issues begin in adolescence and persist into early adulthood. Suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and substance use are also alarmingly present, signaling a deep need for consistent mental health care on campuses.
#2: Support That Doesn’t Show Up
Despite the growing demand, students report frequent cancellations, scheduling conflicts, and feeling emotionally abandoned by therapists. Many users pay for services they cannot regularly access, leading to increased distrust in digital platforms. Additionally, users often find that apps don’t align with their day-to-day realities, leaving them unsupported during critical moments. This disconnect reinforces the idea that existing tools don’t fully meet student needs.
#3: The Trust Gap in Mental Health Tech
Although awareness of mental health apps is relatively high, actual engagement remains low especially with newer tools like chatbots or self-guided interventions. Students cite concerns around privacy, transparency, and lack of personalization. Evidence-based features like mood tracking and guided meditations are appreciated, but many apps lack scientific validation or user-centered design. As a result, digital tools are seen as inconsistent, impersonal, and often not worth the effort.
Highlights
100%
Motivation & engagement are key to staying consistent with therapy apps.
“Features that encourage stronger therapeutic alliances… consistent check-in tools of shared goal-setting… would help a lot” (Interviewee)
75%
Current therapy apps lack personalization for busy students.
“When I first started using [Calm] it never really asked for what my preferences were I had to go through a lot of trial-and-error on the guided meditations” (Interviewee)
75%
Cost & rigid cancellation policies deter students from seeking help.
“There’s no system to flag ghosting behavior… both from therapists and clients” (Interviewee)
Screener Survey
X 5
• 66.7% of students reported experiencing cancellations or ghosting from a therapist.
• 70% currently pay for therapy through insurance, while 30% access free services under university programs with therapists in training.
• 66.7% believe therapy is not affordable for students.
• Many expressed that cancellations and trust issues discourage them from continuing therapy.
Other valuable insights
Highlights
100%
Motivation & engagement are key to staying consistent with therapy apps.
“Features that encourage stronger therapeutic alliances… consistent check-in tools of shared goal-setting… would help a lot” (Interviewee)
75%
Current therapy apps lack personalization for busy students.
“When I first started using [Calm] it never really asked for what my preferences were I had to go through a lot of trial-and-error on the guided meditations” (Interviewee)
75%
Cost & rigid cancellation policies deter students from seeking help.
“There’s no system to flag ghosting behavior… both from therapists and clients” (Interviewee)
Screener Survey
X 5
• 66.7% of students reported experiencing cancellations or ghosting from a therapist.
• 70% currently pay for therapy through insurance, while 30% access free services under university programs with therapists in training.
• 66.7% believe therapy is not affordable for students.
• Many expressed that cancellations and trust issues discourage them from continuing therapy.
Other valuable insights
Highlights
100%
Motivation & engagement are key to staying consistent with therapy apps.
“Features that encourage stronger therapeutic alliances… consistent check-in tools of shared goal-setting… would help a lot” (Interviewee)
75%
Current therapy apps lack personalization for busy students.
“When I first started using [Calm] it never really asked for what my preferences were I had to go through a lot of trial-and-error on the guided meditations” (Interviewee)
75%
Cost & rigid cancellation policies deter students from seeking help.
“There’s no system to flag ghosting behavior… both from therapists and clients” (Interviewee)
Screener Survey
X 5
• 66.7% of students reported experiencing cancellations or ghosting from a therapist.
• 70% currently pay for therapy through insurance, while 30% access free services under university programs with therapists in training.
• 66.7% believe therapy is not affordable for students.
• Many expressed that cancellations and trust issues discourage them from continuing therapy.
Other valuable insights
Highlights
100%
Motivation & engagement are key to staying consistent with therapy apps.
“Features that encourage stronger therapeutic alliances… consistent check-in tools of shared goal-setting… would help a lot” (Interviewee)
75%
Current therapy apps lack personalization for busy students.
“When I first started using [Calm] it never really asked for what my preferences were I had to go through a lot of trial-and-error on the guided meditations” (Interviewee)
75%
Cost & rigid cancellation policies deter students from seeking help.
“There’s no system to flag ghosting behavior… both from therapists and clients” (Interviewee)
Screener Survey
X 5
• 66.7% of students reported experiencing cancellations or ghosting from a therapist.
• 70% currently pay for therapy through insurance, while 30% access free services under university programs with therapists in training.
• 66.7% believe therapy is not affordable for students.
• Many expressed that cancellations and trust issues discourage them from continuing therapy.
Other valuable insights
User Surveying & Initial Interview
I had the privilege to interview 5 students & surveying 5 others who have tried self-guided therapy while forming meaningful connections beyond surface-level data. Many participants shared how current platforms left them feeling unsupported, overwhelmed, or mistrustful. These insights deepened my empathy for student users navigating the complexities of mental healthcare.
I started off by researching competitor services that provide the same concepts as my proposed product.
Competitor Analysis
02.Empathize
User Personas
I created two distinct student personas to reflect the diverse experiences and challenges students face when navigating campus life. These personas served as grounding reference points throughout the product roadmap, helping me design with intention and empathy.
Persona #1
Storyboards
To bring my ideas to life, I illustrated a storyboard that captured the user journey and showed how someone might interact with key features in real-world scenarios. The storyboard didn’t just visualize possibilities but it grounded the vision in real student experiences.
Scenario #1: Ali finds his ideal online therapist
Scenario #2: Tracy finds budget-friendly therapy
03.Ideate
Sketches
After research, I sketched out early ideas for the app’s user flow & structure, exploring layouts & features before moving into wireframes.
I produced wireframes for multiple design variations for feedback and testing
Lo-Fi Wireframing
Style Guide
Pain Points
Positive Feedback
• Users couldn’t exit the onboarding screen due to a missing close button.
• Appointment time and date were hard to read on the “Confirm and Pay” screen.
• White text on green backgrounds reduced readability for some users.
• The therapist-matching flow
felt smooth, intuitive, & helpful.
• Users liked the calm visuals
& accessible color palette.
• Booking a session was described as “simple and seamless”.
Usability Testing
I conducted a usability test with five users in my target demographic using the prototype to see how user friendly the app functions,
Implementing Feedback
Placed the back button where users have the option to change their answers/ exit
Increased the boldness of critical information for better visual standout
Reduced the vibrant background & increased the text contrast for better readability
Onboarding — find your right fit
• Filter by budget, insurance, cancellation policy, and therapy format to find your
perfect fit.
• Explore transparent therapist profiles with specialties, experience, languages, and reviews.
• Match with your top 3 tailored recommendations through a smart algorithm that puts you in control.
Booking — every detail shown upfront
• View clear pricing, refund terms, and cancellation levels before committing, so you know exactly what you’re paying for
• Compare verified therapists by credentials, specialties, languages, and match percentage to find the right fit.
• Select from flexible session formats: video/ phone/call to match your schedule and comfort level.
Support beyond sessions — tools for daily growth
• Track your mood & journal
reflections to better understand
patterns in your mental health.
• Read curated articles on disorders, anxiety, & other conditions to stay informed and empowered.
• View recommended therapists and schedule sessions directly, keeping
care & education in one place.
© 2025 Fidan Jabrayilova. All
Rights Reserved.
Made with Matcha Lattes & jazz.
What I learned
1.Research drives targeted solutions
I initially approached the project wanting to solve multiple mental health challenges for a wide range of people. Through extensive research, competitive analysis, literature review, and peer insight I learned the importance of narrowing my focus to a specific audience. This shift allowed me to design more relevant and impactful solutions.
2.Translate research into actionable design
While my research was visually cohesive and thorough, I realized that synthesis is just as important as collection. Feedback showed that I needed to distill insights into clear, strategic design directions rather than covering too many loosely connected problems.
3.Test earlier and let users lead
Usability testing highlighted how guiding testers too much can mask real usability issues. I learned the value of low-fidelity testing early in the process to catch design gaps before committing to hi-fi details.
Next Steps
1.Refine visual clarity
Introduce more color variation to reduce the dominance of green and improve contrast. Adjust font weight and size for better readability.
2.Add real-time support
Implement a 24-hour secure messaging system that connects users with their therapists or platform support, ensuring timely responses and increasing trust in the service
3.Enhance journal personalization
Add a voice message option in the journal section, allowing users to record reflections instead of typing for a more personal and accessible experience.
Support that fits you
At-A-Glance
Blossom is a student-centered mental health app designed to increase trust, transparency, and accessibility in therapy. By addressing scheduling friction and personalization gaps common in existing services, Blossom reimagines what compassionate care looks like for today’s overwhelmed college students.
UX/UI Designer,
UX Researcher
Jul - Aug 2025
Figma, FigJam,
Google Suite
Solo Project
My Role
Timeline
Tools
High Fidelity Design
Secondary Research Summary
Secondary Research Summary
© 2025 Fidan Jabrayilova.
All Rights Reserved.
Made with Matcha Lattes & jazz.