Presently — Designing for moments of uncertainty
A mental wellness product designed to help people apply therapy tools in real time.
The Problem
Most people in therapy understand what they should do when anxiety hits — but in the moment, that access disappears.
Thoughts spiral. Emotions take over.
And the tools that once felt clear become hard to reach.
The problem isn’t awareness — it’s recall under pressure.
The Insight
In high-anxiety states, people don’t need more information.
They need something immediate, simple, and repeatable.
Support has to exist within the moment itself — not before or after it.
The Approach
I set out to design a system that could:
Interrupt anxious thought patterns in real time
Translate therapeutic concepts into simple, actionable language
Integrate seamlessly into everyday life
Reinforce behavior through repetition, not effort
Traditional affirmations often encourage avoidance or reassurance.
Presently phrases are intentionally different — they are:
Directive (what to do, not just what to feel)
Grounded in CBT principles
Designed for use under distress
Examples:
Brave the uncomfortable
Embrace uncertainty
I am separate from my thoughts
Each phrase functions as a behavioral cue, not just a message.
Language system (CBT-inspired phrases) → short, directive, and repeatable
Personalization layer → helps users identify the reminder they need most
Environmental cues → placed in moments of transition and reflection
Wearable reminders → always accessible, embedded into daily routines
