Designing with Purpose: Where Empathy Meets Innovation
As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified UX Designer, my approach to digital design is grounded in human-centered care. This portfolio showcases work that combines research, accessibility, trauma-informed principles, and user experience strategy. Whether supporting mental health through an AI-powered chatbot or simplifying everyday interactions in retail apps, I bring clinical insight, ethical rigor, and a deep commitment to usability.
Below you’ll find case studies from my recent UX projects. Each highlights my role, process, and the real-world problems I helped solve through user-centered design.
Project 1 Name: TheraBot
Overview / Project Summary
- TheraBot is an AI-powered mental health app designed to support users between therapy sessions. It offers CBT tools, mood tracking, affirmations, and self-guided prompts. As the lead UX Designer and developer, I built this project using Streamlit, Figma, and user feedback loops grounded in trauma-informed principles.
The Problem
- Many individuals struggle with emotional regulation and access to mental health tools between sessions. They need a simple, trustworthy, and supportive interface that encourages self-reflection and skill-building without replacing therapy.
The Goal
- Create a mobile-first experience that supports users in tracking their mood, practicing CBT skills, and accessing resources in a compassionate, nonjudgmental way—available 24/7.
My Role
- UX Researcher & Interviewer
- Interaction & Visual Designer
- Frontend Developer (Streamlit, Python)
- Usability Testing Facilitator
- Content Strategist
Tools & Methods
- Figma for wireframes and prototypes
- Streamlit + Python for functional prototype
- Google Sheets for backend logging
- User interviews (5 participants)
- Competitive audit
- Accessibility testing
The UX Process
Empathize
Conducted interviews with therapy clients and providers to understand needs during non-session hours. Identified a gap in consistent, non-triggering support tools.
Define
Created personas and journey maps to define pain points: lack of emotional check-in tools, poor design in existing apps, and limited access to resources at night or weekends.
Ideate
Used “How Might We” questions and Crazy 8s to brainstorm features like sleep logging, reframing cognitive distortions, and mood-based journaling prompts.
Prototype
Built low- and high-fidelity wireframes in Figma. Included modular tools for journaling, sleep tracking, and CBT practices.
Test
Ran remote usability tests and adjusted button sizes, language, and flows based on feedback. Iterated 3 times before settling on a final version.
Outcome
Over 80% of test users said they would use the app daily.
Reduced confusion around journaling and increased emotional safety during self-check-ins.
Streamlined interface received positive feedback for visual calm and ease of use. https://www.figma.com/design/dQyWYrcpVCoRlmSinxOzb4/TheraBot-App?node-id=6002-1314&t=lfhEQFROh0mHTA5I-1
Other UX Projects
🧺 Farmwich: Gourmet Sandwich Shop Ordering App
Problem: Customers found the menu and ordering process confusing and slow, especially during peak hours.
Solution: I designed a mobile-first app that simplified menu navigation, enabled customizations, and streamlined checkout. Using Figma, I created wireframes and prototypes, conducted user interviews, and implemented usability testing to ensure a smoother, faster ordering experience.
https://www.figma.com/design/lAGRRwhZAR6Ezxnn4o21bZ/Case-Study—Portfolio?node-id=8-11&t=m2S55rxV70zYff4A-1
📝 Therapist Intake Redesign
Problem: Clients often felt overwhelmed or confused by lengthy digital intake forms, leading to incomplete submissions and added stress.
Solution: I redesigned the therapist intake form experience with a trauma-informed lens, focusing on clarity, simplicity, and user autonomy. I introduced a step-by-step layout, improved accessibility, and incorporated optional narrative fields for deeper client expression..
💻 In2Grative Therapy: Virtual Login & Portal UX Overhaul
Problem: Clients and clinicians at In2Grative Therapy faced repeated frustrations with the virtual platform’s login issues, appointment navigation, and digital paperwork interface—leading to missed sessions and increased admin strain.
Solution: I conducted user interviews with both therapists and clients, identified major usability gaps, and developed wireframes to improve the login flow, session reminders, and onboarding screens. The revised design prioritized accessibility, mobile compatibility, and reduced friction in the mental health care journey.